AFL legend Leigh Matthews has joined the growing chorus of analysts tipping West Coast to slide down the ladder in 2019.

Matthews also backed Fremantle superstar Nathan Fyfe to win the Brownlow Medal, in a ‘season predictions’ fact file for CHANNEL7.

The four-time premiership coach nominated Adam Simpson’s side as the ‘team most likely to disappoint’, replacing the Eagles with Essendon in his prospective top four.

His take follows damning analyses from Bombers great Tim Watson - whose top four featured Collingwood, Richmond, GWS and Adelaide - and former Hawthorn spearhead Jason Dunstall.

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Commentating on Fox Footy during a pre-season game last week, Dunstall said three teams - Richmond, Melbourne and Adelaide - were poised to jump ahead of the reigning premiers, who would be locked in a battle for fourth place.

The prediction stunned co-commentator Dermott Brereton.

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“I’m just staggered you haven’t got the West Coast Eagles in there. They are the reigning premiers, you know. That’s extraordinary. You think they’re going to drop four spots?” Brereton asked.

“They’re a chance,” Dunstall replied.

“I just don’t think they’re automatic like those other teams are.”

The Eagles kicked off their premiership defence with a convincing 34-point win over Geelong at Leederville Oval on Friday night.