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ABC News
ABC News
National

West Coast Eagles' poor year is bad news for almost everyone in Cosmo Newberry

Gwen Murray is a passionate a West Coast Eagles supporter. (ABC News: Madison Snow)

Cosmo Newberry is having a hard year.

After arriving in this tiny outback community on Yilka country, almost five hours north of Kalgoorlie in WA's Goldfields, it's easy to see why.

There is the community centre sign written in bold blue and yellow.

There are the stickers, covering most surfaces within the centre's office.

Then, a mobile phone will ring and play a tune familiar to any Australian rules football fan:

"We're the big birds, kings of the big game.

"We're the Eagles, we're flying high."

The blue and yellow sign is said to celebrate the West Coast Eagles.  (ABC News: Madison Snow)

According to resident Gwen Murray, almost everyone in the remote town of around 100 people barracks for the West Coast Eagles.

She knows of only three dissidents.

"We've only got two people in the community who go for the Dockers and there's another Geelong supporter."

This could lead to some good-natured rivalry, particularly given the Eagles' dismal performances so far this season, Ms Murray said.

The Eagles are languishing at 17th on the AFL ladder, with their recent triumph over Essendon being just their second win of the season.

When it comes to its love for the Eagles, Cosmo Newbery wears its heart on its sleeve. (ABC News: Emily Smith)

"When we're at the bottom of the ladder and they're up near the top, I say to them, 'You've been down there too'.

"We're working our way up [after] COVID, so probably next year we will be better at it."

The ABC tried to speak to a few rumoured Dockers fans — but they would not confirm nor deny the allegation.

A training session involving Daniel Kerr may have inspired the town's Eagles obsession. (Supplied: AFL Photos)

Eagles fans, however, were keen to share their woes.

Ms Murray is sure of that.

Even in a town full of Eagles supporters, she would have to be among the most dedicated, driving about 12 hours each way to go to their games in Perth.

"My husband and I have been in the cheer squad for the last 15 years," she said.

"When we're at the home game, we're the guys behind the goal sticks, waving flags, banners, whatever we can just to encourage the boys."

She said the atmosphere after a win was incredible.

"We don't leave until they actually go off the field, then we can go home."

Cosmo Newberry is about four-and-a-half hours north of Kalgoorlie. (ABC News: Emily Smith)

Ms Murray said the town's Eagles obsession might have come from a locally run training program with star player Daniel Kerr who was on the team between 2001 and 2013.

But she has been supporting the club since it was founded in 1986.

"You should have been here back in 2018 [when they won the flag].

"Everyone was driving around the community, tooting horns, waving flags.

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