NEW EAGLE Brendon Ah Chee has welcomed the internal battle for midfield spots as he tries to become a regular AFL footballer for the first time. 

Ah Chee struggled for senior opportunities at Port Adelaide this year, competing against the likes of captain-in-waiting Ollie Wines, Brad Ebert and rookie sensation Sam Powell-Pepper. 

That was despite the 23-year-old, originally from South Fremantle, playing well enough at SANFL level to finish runner-up in the 2017 Magarey Medal to former Crow Mitch Grigg.

Ah Chee's homecoming was sealed in the NAB AFL Trade Period, and he has designs on one of the inside midfield spots that retired champions Matt Priddis and Sam Mitchell left behind. 

He has also proven capable of making an impact up forward, but wants to be a key contested-ball winner for West Coast and forge a relationship with 2012 All Australian Nic Naitanui. 

"I thought my form in the SANFL was pretty good, but it's one of those things where it's out of your control and all you can do is play good footy," Ah Chee said. 

"I feel like last year I gained a lot of confidence in my ability playing SANFL footy, so, if anything, that was a positive to take out of the year. 

"There are some spots definitely available (at the Eagles), but there is some young talent here as well, so it's going to be a really competitive pre-season and that's what you want in the team. 

"You want blokes pushing each other harder and harder until they can get the best out of themselves – and that's what I'm here for."

Ah Chee valued increased opportunity as much as returning to Western Australia, especially given his parents, Brendon snr and Valerie, and his eight-year-old brother, Rafael, had relocated to Adelaide.

Two of his four siblings, including Gold Coast forward Callum Ah Chee, are based in Queensland.

Ah Chee credited having his parents nearby for his consistent campaign, which included only five of his 27 AFL matches after playing the rest in the previous two seasons.

"(My parents) were looking for something new to do and it was out of the Gold Coast or Adelaide, because my little brother plays for the Suns," he said.

"I was like, 'Why don't you come to Adelaide for a year, come see how it is and try something different', then nine months later I'm getting traded back to West Coast.

"So, sorry mum and dad, but looking forward to having you back."

Ah Chee is already looking forward to playing in his first Western Derby against Fremantle in round six, on April 29.

"It's pretty similar in Adelaide, with the Crows and Power – their Showdowns were huge," he said.

"Growing up, I knew what it was like to be a part of the Derby, watching that, and 90 per cent of my mates were Eagles supporters as well, so (we were) definitely buying into it."