That's right, every coach in West Coast history has celebrated his first game with a victory. In 1987, Ron Alexander's boys defeated Richmond by 14 points after a big comeback.  Alexander was unlucky to be sacked at the end of 1987, but John Todd had early success when West Coast defeated Geelong at Kardinia Park in the first round of 1988. The Malthouse era was ushered in with a big 46-point victory over Collingwood at Patersons Stadium in the first round of 1990. Even Ken Judge started his ill-fated stint as Eagles coach with a 43-point win over the Kangaroos at the MCG in 2000. Finally, John Worsfold's first game in charge, in 2002, saw the Eagles defeat Fremantle by 19 points. Perhaps West Coast should change coach every week.

On a night when there were few highlights for the Western Bulldogs, youngster Lachie Hunter showed enough to suggest he is ready to take the next step in 2014. The 19-year-old broke into the team during the second half of 2013 and was particularly impressive in the last game of the season when he collected 22 disposals and kicked two goals against Melbourne. Against West Coast, he was lively early, booting the Bulldogs' first before blowing an easy chance for his second a few minutes later. That second goal came early in the second quarter and he was instrumental in one of the Bulldogs' third-quarter goals. He finished with 24 disposals and two goals.

Last year, many West Coast supporters wouldn't have even realised Jamie Bennell was on the club's rookie list. The Bunbury product spent four seasons at Melbourne, playing 57 games, before being delisted at the end of 2012. And even though the Eagles threw him a lifeline by taking him in the rookie draft later that year, it never appeared likely he was going to be able to force his way into the side that started last year as one of the premiership favourites. After a solid 2013 with Swan Districts in the WAFL, Bennell has been reborn under new coach Adam Simpson and his reading of the play against the Western Bulldogs would have reminded Eagles fans of the play of former star David Wirrpanda. Bennell was even wearing Wirrpanda's old jumper number - 44.

All Australian ruckman Will Minson was always going to have a tough night. In the corresponding match last year, he took on the same West Coast ruck trio in Dean Cox, Nic Naitanui and Callum Sinclair. Later in the season, at Etihad Stadium, he faced off against Cox and Scott Lycett. And, over the course of the two matches, he probably took the honours, or at least broke even. It was a different story this time around. It wasn't that Brendan McCartney didn't know his No.1 ruckman would be likely outgunned in the air. The problem was that he probably thought his young Bulldogs midfield would be able to outrun West Coast. And they couldn't. So, with West Coast also ruling the air despite a gallant effort from Minson, it was a long night for the visitors.