Richmond goal-kicking great Matthew Richardson has backed West Coast to overcome the loss of ruckman Nic Naitanui to win this season’s AFL premiership.

In a significant departure from his Melbourne-based colleagues, Richardson has tipped the Eagles to rebound from last year’s early finals exit and claim the club’s fourth flag.

Richardson, an AFL Hall of Fame member and Channel Seven commentator, labelled this year’s premiership a three-way race between West Coast, Greater Western Sydney and Sydney.

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But he tipped Sam Mitchell’s presence as the critical factor that would guarantee the Eagles won more of the ball to feed a potent forward line and deliver a grand final victory.

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West Coast are ideally placed to start their season with a bang.

They play North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium tomorrow week before facing St Kilda (home) and Richmond (away) in an attractive early fixture expected to dramatically shorten their premiership odds.

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“I’m happy to go on record and tip the Eagles for the premiership,” Richardson said.

“I just thought their end to last year was really impressive. They won nine of their last 10 games.

“They’ve always had a potent attack. If they get it inside 50, they win games.

“Out of the last 31 times they’ve won the inside-50 count, they’ve won 29 games. That tells me if they’re getting first use of the football and getting it inside 50, they’re going to win most games.

“Getting first use means having good players in the middle of the ground. Matt Priddis is going to do what Priddis does and Sam Mitchell, he’s not going to slow down. He hasn’t lost his sidestep. I can’t see him dropping away markedly on his form.

If they’re getting first use of the football and getting it inside 50, they’re going to win most games.

“I know Naitanui’s not there, but if the ruckmen can break even and they get first use, then I see them being pretty hard to beat, particularly in Perth.

“They’ve then got Jeremy McGovern, Tom Barrass, Eric Mackenzie and Will Schofield.

“It’s a pretty impressive looking back line if they’re allowed to play the game on their own terms.”

Barrass and Schofield are among 18 Eagles-listed players lining up today for East Perth in the WAFL.

Both of them may yet be overlooked for West Coast’s season opener.