He's gone from winning two straight flags to being winless as an Eagle, but hard-nosed defender Brandon Starcevich predicts big things are to come at West Coast.
Starcevich made the tough decision to leave Brisbane at the end of last year after appearing in three straight grand finals and winning two flags with the Lions.
The lure to return home to Perth on a four-year deal and help nurture West Coast in their rebuilding phase proved too hard to resist, despite enjoying a 70 per cent winning ration during his 132 games at the Lions.
It hasn't been smooth sailing so far out west, with a serious calf injury keeping Starcevich sidelined until round 13.
It means he has missed all four of West Coast's wins so far this season, with his individual record as an Eagle currently standing at 0-4.
Starcevich will be hoping that all changes in Sunday's clash with the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.
But even if it doesn't, Starcevich joined West Coast with the long-term picture in mind, and the 26-year-old is full of optimism a bright future awaits the youngest squad in the league.
Brandon Starcevich slots his first goal as an Eagle 🦅@Toyota_Aus | #ohwhatafeeling | #AFLEaglesCrows pic.twitter.com/6vgMKgdX0Q
— AFL (@AFL) July 3, 2026
"It's pretty exciting," Starcevich said.
"There's heaps of talent in the building and that talent combined with that willingness to learn and grow - these kids are going to be just fine in a few years.
"They're an energetic bunch, which is really good, they sort of keep you up and about."
West Coast (4-12) are on a four-match losing streak and will start as big underdogs against a Bulldogs outfit that are 9-7 and aiming to finish in the top six rather than the lottery of the Wildcard finals round.
The Eagles have become renowned for their fast finishes this season, but their starts have been horrific - losing 13 out of 16 first quarters this year.
"We know we're a fit group and we can run out games well," Starcevich said.
"But it'd be nice to not have to chase the game."
All eyes will be on Tim English after the Dogs ruckman struggled in last week's 35-point loss to Sydney.
Rory Lobb (21 hitouts) and English (eight) were monstered by Brodie Grundy (60), with English also spending long stints in defence as he struggled to impose himself on the game.
English, who was once a trade target for West Coast, will be up against Eagles big man Bailey Williams on Sunday in what shapes as an intriguing ruck battle.
West Coast have gone in unchanged, while the Bulldogs lost Nick Coffield (concussion), Connor Budarick (ankle) and Ryley Sanders (hand) to injury.
