MATT Priddis has fought against the odds for most things he's achieved in football.

So it's no surprise that with 44 games under his belt and entering his second year as part of West Coast’s leadership group, the 23-year-old still feels like he is competing for his spot in the side.

Since Priddis was elevated off West Coast's rookie list in 2006, the side has lost Chris Judd, Ben Cousins, Michael Braun and Rowan Jones from its premiership-winning midfield.  

Chad Fletcher and Tyson Stenglein remain but, in 2009, Priddis stands alongside Daniel Kerr as the key to the Eagles' engine room.

The young leader, however, is quick to play down his profile in the side.

"I'm definitely not one of the stars," Priddis said on Thursday before flying east with the squad to take on Hawthorn in the club’s final pre-season fixture. "I'm in the middle somewhere."

"You've always got to feel like you're fighting for your spot each week. As soon as you feel complacent you're not going to be in the right frame of mind.

"I just think you've got to fight for any success. Whether that's fighting for a spot or fighting to make the eight, it's no different.

“It's something we've got in our culture at the club and we'll continue to do so.”

Once considered too slow for the AFL, Priddis nominated for the 2004 and 2005 NAB AFL Drafts, but was overlooked both times.

In 2005 he finished fourth in the WAFL’s Sandover Medal as part of the Subiaco side and was finally rookie listed by West Coast at the end of the year.  

He managed two AFL games for the Eagles in 2006, but was again dominant on the domestic front, winning the Sandover Medal in Subiaco’s premiership team.

This path has clearly taught Priddis might not to take his place on an AFL list for granted, but he said being part of the leadership group had given him confidence and more of a voice around the club.

It's a role that he's used to have a positive influence on exciting midfield prospect Brad Ebert as well as rookies Ryan Davis and Ashley Arrowsmith.

Now, with Adam Cockie pushing for a spot on the senior list after an impressive pre-season, Priddis has a new apprentice.

"I had a chat to him about what's expected of you to be an AFL footballer and he's very dedicated to make sure he does become a very successful one," Priddis said of 19-year-old Cockie.

"He's had a couple of great years at Subiaco, he's a very good midfielder and I think he's got a lot of promise. He can definitely play AFL footy – we've seen that the last three weeks. His future's very bright."

There is still room, however, for Priddis to play the student at West Coast and he said the appointment of former Collingwood captain Scott Burns as midfield coach had been a revelation. 

"He's a guy I look up to and his football knowledge is just fantastic," Priddis said. 

"The three games we've played, being able to sit down with him after a game and discuss stoppages and midfield support, he's just been fantastic and I'm really looking forward to working with him this year."