WHEN former West Coast midfielder Michael Braun won the Eagles' ninth Ross Glendinning Medal, in round 3, 2007, he had no idea it would mark the end of a golden era of western derbies for the club.
Braun, who retired halfway through the 2008 season, was the Eagles' last Ross Glendinning medallist, his personal accolade coming in the club's 18th and most recent derby win.
Braun has kept an eye on West Coast since he retired, keeping in touch with coaches and former teammates, and he believes the side is ready to hit back against Fremantle after seven straight derby defeats.
"We've seen some marked improvement this year and it (a derby win) is not far away," he said.
"Hopefully Mark LeCras will come back, and Chris Masten, and if we can keep guys like Darren Glass, Andrew Embley and Dean Cox playing good footy, that'll go a long way to getting a win back.
"They just need the young guys to take some heat off them and start contributing even more than they are at the moment."
Braun was 19 when he played in his first derby, in round 3, 1998, and he remembers being surrounded by club greats Dean Kemp, Guy McKenna John Worsfold and Glen Jakovich.
The Eagles won 14 of the first 17 derbies, and Braun said there was definitely a mental edge the side took into games against Fremantle.
"We did have the wood over them for the majority of that decade, so it was enjoyable to be a part of," he said.
"The Eagles had played in three grand finals for two premierships and had a very successful side. Fremantle was obviously new to the game and just finding its feet.
"You just knew you were going to be competitive and most likely win the game."
Drew Banfield was the club's first Ross Glendinning medallist in 2001, with Jakovich (2001), Chad Fletcher (2002 and 2004), Michael Gardiner (2003) and three-time winner Chris Judd (twice in 2005 and 2006) rounding out the honour roll.
Braun said playing well in derbies was always acknowledged by the players.
"You don't have that in the back of your mind - winning the medal - you just want to play well in the big games and playing Fremantle was a big home-and-away match," he said.
"There were always big crowds and the supporters were very vocal.
"You'd stand a little bit taller after derby wins, because it was well publicised and a lot of fans saw the game.
"It is just four points, but for the supporters it's the bragging rights."
Braun has kept in touch with young midfielders Scott Selwood and Brad Ebert and says he lends his support whenever he can.
Despite the pain that has come in recent seasons, the premiership wingman said he had enjoyed watching the club rebuild and was confident a derby win was around the corner.
"Fremantle's playing some good footy, but so are we," he said. "We've got to get back that hunger and desire to start playing well in big games."
