WEST Coast's top-four destiny remains in its own hands with seven rounds remaining, according to Eagles midfielder Matt Priddis.
The Eagles vaulted from eighth to fifth on the AFL ladder following Sunday's 32-point win over North Melbourne at Domain Stadium and some other favourable results across the weekend.
Geelong's loss to the Sydney Swans on Friday night and Greater Western Sydney's loss to Collingwood on Saturday also helped the Eagles' cause.
They now sit just one game outside the top four, with a healthier percentage than Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs, with matches to come against Carlton, Melbourne, Collingwood and Fremantle over the next month.
In 2014 the Eagles finished ninth after Richmond completed a nine-match winning run with victory over the Sydney Swans in round 23 to nab the last finals berth.
At the end of that season coach Adam Simpson implored that his players learn a lesson about letting other teams to determine their fortune.
Priddis said the Eagles would decide their own fate this year.
"It's such an even competition, and it makes it so good," Priddis said.
"There were a couple of results that went our way on the weekend, so you are cheering for those sides at times.
"Our destiny is in our own hands. We've got to make sure we win our games, and from there we'll finish where we deserve."
That starts with the Blues at the MCG on Sunday. The Eagles are a perfect nine from nine against teams outside the top-eight this season but he said the Blues would provide a stern test.
"Carlton beat Geelong a few weeks back, so there's no way we'll be taking anyone lightly," Priddis said.
"It's such an even competition, you have to bring your best effort every week to get a result.
"There's seven games remaining, and we're looking to finish as high as we can. Every week's important."
Priddis said the Eagles had lifted their training standards during the bye weeks after getting the benefit of two extended breaks.
"Not that they slipped away but I thought that they could go to another level," Priddis said.
"It helps obviously with the 10-day break and the 12-day break that we had.
"We actually got a couple of extra training sessions in."
The Eagles' midfield also lifted their intensity against the Kangaroos.
Jack Redden, Dom Sheed and Liam Duggan are all stuck in the WAFL itching for an opportunity and Priddis said the midfield depth had forced the incumbents to go to another level.
"That's how great sides build," Priddis said.
"Our midfield is an area that's got a big determining factor on how we perform.
"Having heat on for positions, it's great.
"Right from training into game day you've got to make sure you bring your best performances each week, otherwise you're going to lose your spot."
Redden put in another superb performance in the WAFL on Saturday with 34 disposals and six tackles in atrocious conditions.
He had 28 disposals and kicked three goals the week prior after being dropped from the Eagles line-up. Priddis backed Redden to work his way back into the senior side before the end of the season.
