WEST Coast coach Adam Simpson has been hosing down expectations all season but after finishing second on the ladder he has finally declared, "We're here to win a premiership".
The Eagles sealed a home qualifying final against Hawthorn next Friday night at Domain Stadium after drubbing St Kilda by 95 points.
Simpson has carefully crafted his public message all season and has never once deviated from his standard lines about simply improving on last season, building the list and finishing as high as possible.
Eagles midfielder sidelined with hamstring injury
On Saturday night he said the Eagles were now aiming for the ultimate prize.
"I think you've got to go for it now when you finish second," Simpson said.
"We're here to win a premiership.
"We've been, obviously, trying to manage, I don't know if it's expectations, but the way we want to be perceived and what we're trying throughout the whole year.
"We wanted to start the year by improving. That meant getting into the finals.
WATCH: Adam Simpson's full post-match media conference
"So that was our planning, we didn't put a ceiling on it and we wanted to continue to develop our list. We're excited about our list and we didn't make too many changes last year.
"We put a bit of belief in the players and as the season progressed we obviously got some wins and things changed and we finish second on the ladder and now we can have a tilt at it."
The Eagles and Hawthorn are the only two sides to average more than 100 points a game in attack and concede fewer than than 72 points a game in defence.
Simpson said his side is ready to stand up under finals pressure.
"We've been playing pretty tough opponents for the past six weeks, and probably four or five top-six sides in the past six weeks," Simpson said.
"So I think we're match hardened."
The Eagles have beaten the Sydney Swans, Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs in the past seven weeks. They lost badly to Adelaide last week but Simpson said that was hopefully an aberration.
They were beaten by Hawthorn at home in round 19 by 14 points but did not have Nic Naitanui or Callum Sinclair that night.
Simpson said the players would take some things from that game into this week.
"Maybe a little bit, with confidence and belief of our players," Simpson said
"It was a wet night that night as well. I thought the Hawks lost their rucks early as well.
"We didn't get it done. (There are) some good memories, and some bad ones too. They're a formidable side, so we need to prepare as best we can, manage our bodies, and throw everything at them."
