EMERGING West Coast midfielder Liam Duggan can't wait to start shadowing boom recruit Sam Mitchell and learning from one of the best in the business this pre-season. 

Heading into his third year in Perth, the classy 19-year-old is determined to step up in the Eagles' engine room and – along with the likes of Elliot Yeo and Dom Sheed – should be a major beneficiary from Mitchell's imminent arrival.

The retrospectively-crowned 2012 Brownlow medallist and four-time Hawthorn premiership star will link up with the Eagles' playing group for the first time when the senior core returns for pre-season training on November 28.

"Obviously I'm pretty excited to see Sammy Mitchell traded to the Eagles," Duggan told the club's website.

"He'll be massive for us young blokes especially, just being able to learn off someone who has been there done that, and I'm really looking forward to getting into it with him."

Coming off an up-and-down second year in blue and gold after his pre-season was hampered by complications from a posterior cruciate ligament injury, Duggan wants to stay injury-free and build his fitness base.

The talented young Victorian averaged 12.5 disposals last year in 14 games, but spent most of the second half of the season in the WAFL.

However, Duggan, who is contracted until 2018, looms as an important player for the future if he can continue his development and cement a spot in the best 22.

"My fitness base will be my main focus for the summer, so really building my tank so I can run out games a lot more efficiently during the season," Duggan said.

"I set high expectations for myself and hopefully this pre-season I give myself every chance to reach them.

"I love the midfield, I love getting through the guts, and I think that's where I'm going to play my best footy and give the most I can to the team."