West Coast have confirmed their status as the financial powerhouse of Australian sport by declaring an $11.4 million operating surplus for the 2018 season.

Even after paying a royalty to the WA Football Commission, which helps fund WA football and is likely to be about $3.9 million, West Coast will post a profit of about $7.5 million.

Eagles chairman Russell Gibbs yesterday told The West Australian the royalty would take the club’s payments to WA football over its 32-year history past $140 million.

The 2018 figures reflect the financial boom that comes from winning a premiership and the bonanza reaped by the Eagles by shifting to the new taxpayer-funded Optus Stadium, a $1.6 billion project.

“We are delighted with the result which has come off the back of success on and off the field, winning the grand final, the new stadium and careful management of costs,” Mr Gibbs said.

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“We are going to be able to continue to support the development of football in WA, both via the commission and through our own community programs.”

Optus Stadium has financially benefited both WA clubs, despite significant AFL and WAFC angst over the financial negotiations for the shift from the WAFC-controlled Subiaco Oval. Fremantle, despite missing the top eight for the third successive year, is set to record a surplus of more than $1 million before its royalty payment.

Twelve months ago financial analysts declared West Coast the wealthiest sporting club in the country after a surplus of $5.4 million, off revenue of $64 million. The West understands the club’s revenue this year is likely to be close to $80 million.

The profit will enable the Eagles to quickly replenish cash stocks in the wake of the $35 million the club spent on its new $60 million training facility at Lathlain Park, which is due for completion in April.

The 60,000-seat capacity of the new stadium enabled West Coast to show the size of its support base with seven consecutive home game crowds against interstate opponents of more than 50,000.

The Eagles membership spiked from 65,064 in 2017 to 80,290, while crowds dipped below 50,000 just once in 14 games at Optus Stadium — in round 18 when 46,854 watched them beat the Western Bulldogs.

An AFL premiership is worth about $3 million to the winning team — $1 million in AFL prize money and about $2 million in increased merchandise sales. The Eagles’ grand final opponents Collingwood made $4.17 million from 75,000 members and $82 million revenue, Richmond ($5.54 million surplus, $4.21 million profit, 101,562 members), Essendon ($5.7 million profit, $2.3 million surplus, 79,000 members) and Hawthorn ($2 million profit, 81,000 members).