In 1989, Australian film director Bruce Beresford gave us Driving Miss Daisy, which won an Oscar for best picture without Beresford even being nominated for best director.

Some remarked sarcastically that the film must have directed itself.

Last year, West Coast won one of the AFL’s more remarkable premierships, from five goals down in a grand final, without losing a game in Victoria and without three very good players.

Want to win a Mazda BT-50 XTR with Boss adventure Pack worth more than $67,000? Register to play The Game tipping and fantasy today!

Yet the Eagles are struggling to rate a mention among many experts’ 2019 predictions.

Don't miss the latest sports news! Was $13 now $7 per week for 12 weeks* (Digital + Print) Enjoy unlimited access to thewest.com.au and everyday digital editions on any device. Thursday - Monday papers home delivered with all of the latest footy news! *T&Cs apply

Did the Eagles’ flag last year just win itself?

We think not.

Camera Icon Luke Shuey celebrates with West Coast’s premiership cup. Credit: News Corp Australia, Nicole Garmston

West Coast will be major flag contenders and while new rules stipulating set positions at centre bounces and allowing more leeway for defenders to play-on from kick-ins don’t guarantee them a successful premiership defence, they certainly don’t make one less likely.

It is hard to go back-to-back in the AFL, but if you were trying to do it, you would like to be able to add All-Australian midfielder Andrew Gaff and defender Brad Sheppard to the mix, with the possibility of ruckman Nic Naitanui to come before the end of the season.

With the 6-6-6 set-up at centre bounces poised to create a lot of one-on-ones from centre clearances, you would like to be kicking to Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling. It should be remembered the Eagles weren’t beaten in any game last year when they both played.

You would like to be defending opposition clearance wins with Jeremy McGovern, Tom Barrass, Shannon Hurn and Sheppard, who are all good one-on-one back men.

And you would like Hurn and Lewis Jetta to take your kick-ins, play on and deliver the ball with precision into the midfield.

Camera Icon Lewis Jetta’s kicking will come to the fore again this season. Credit: AFL Media, Michael Dodge

Like most sides however, the Eagles have pre-season injury concerns. Kennedy (foot) is racing the clock to play in round one, forward Jamie Cripps (toe) won’t be seen against Brisbane at the Gabba, and they have lost Mark LeCras and Scott Lycett from last year’s flag-winning outfit.

And the draw is challenging. Four of their double-ups are against expected finals contenders.

On the horizon twice are their grand final opponents Collingwood, top-four fancies Melbourne, Adelaide -- who are expected to rebound from a horror 2018 -- and Hawthorn who, let’s face it, under Alastair Clarkson just find a way to make it to September most years.

But West Coast are grounded and ready to defend their title. McGovern has recovered from off-season rib surgery and appeared in the JLT Community Series, ditto Elliot Yeo (toe).

They have added a depth ruckman in Tom Hickey to replace Lycett as they wait for Naitanui’s return. They have Oscar Allen, Jake Waterman and Jarrod Brander in waiting in case Kennedy takes longer than expected.

Jack Petruccelle looks set to slide into Cripps’ role until he returns and Liam Ryan, after an eventful off-season, and Willie Rioli, after an exemplary off-season, look ready to pick up and build form where they left off.

Prediction: Top four.