The best ruckman and mobile forward in the competition, a rejuvenated veteran and an “unbelievable midfield mix” will see West Coast win the flag.

That’s the prediction of Port Adelaide great and AFL broadcaster Kane Cornes, who backed the Eagles to claim their second premiership in three years.

The 300-gamer and 2004 Power premiership hero said the addition of million-dollar man Tim Kelly will take their midfield to the next level, especially with fit-again Nic Naitanui in the ruck.

Dual Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy is reaping the benefits of a rare injury-free pre-season, as he showed with a vintage six-goal display in Thursday night’s narrow Marsh Community Series loss to Essendon at Mineral Resources Park.

Cornes reckons the Eagles’ Optus Stadium fortress, which is “really hard to win” for visiting teams, will also help their rise to the top of the ladder.

“They’ve just added a top-10 midfielder to their already unbelievable midfield mix,” Cornes said on SEN.

“Josh Kennedy hasn’t done a pre-season in about five years, he’s completed a pre-season.

Camera Icon MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Luke Shuey and Dom Sheed of the Eagles hold up the Premiership Trophy after winning the 2018 AFL Grand Final match between the Collingwood Magpies and the West Coast Eagles at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 29, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) Credit: Getty Images

“Jack Darling is I think the best mobile forward in the game, Nic Naitanui is I think the best ruckman in the game when he is up and running.

“They play 11 games at a place where it’s really hard to win. They’ll finish top two, get two home finals, go through to the grand final and do it again.”

Cornes predicted the Eagles to finish as minor premiers, ahead of Greater Western Sydney, reigning champs Richmond and the Western Bulldogs.

Melbourne, Collingwood, Port Adelaide and Sydney will round out the top eight, with Brisbane, Essendon and Geelong missing out from last season.

West Coast has one more pre-season hit-out, against cross-town rivals Fremantle in Joondalup on March 7, before their season gets underway against Melbourne at Optus Stadium on March 22.