The majority of AFL captains believe West Coast is less likely to make the grand final than Collingwood and Richmond.

Adam Simpson’s men defied the absence of star trio Nic Naitanui (ACL), Brad Sheppard (hamstring) and Andrew Gaff (suspension) to famously clinch last year’s premiership-decider over the Magpies.

West Coast also boasts a 14-3 record at Optus Stadium, a venue which proved impenetrable during the Eagles’ finals campaign.

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But 13 club skippers believe Damien Hardwick’s Tigers (eight votes) and Nathan Buckley’s ‘Pies (five) have better odds of reaching the last Saturday in September, according to the AFL’s annual captains poll.

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Greater Western Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne each received one vote.

The Eagles were, however, unanimously backed to qualify for finals, alongside Melbourne, Richmond and Collingwood.

Conversely, Fremantle is one of just five clubs tipped by every captain to miss the top eight, in a vote-of-no-confidence for the club’s off-season recruiting spree.

West Coast kicks off its premiership defence against Brisbane at the Gabba next Saturday (5.20pm, WST) while the Dockers will host North Melbourne at Optus Stadium the following day (3.20pm, WST).

Play Video WATCH: Adrian Barich sits down with premiership hero Jeremy McGovern and discusses his rib injury leading up to last year's Grand Final. The West Australian Video WATCH: Adrian Barich sits down with premiership hero Jeremy McGovern and discusses his rib injury leading up to last year's Grand Final.

2019 AFL CLUB CAPTAINS POLL

Which seven other clubs do you think can make this year's top eight?

(18 times seven selections).

17 – Melbourne, West Coast Eagles, Richmond, Collingwood.

15 – Adelaide Crows.

12 – GWS GIANTS.

7 – Geelong Cats.

6 – Sydney Swans.

5 – Essendon.

4 – Hawthorn, Port Adelaide.

3 – Brisbane Lions.

2 – North Melbourne.

Which other club is most likely to reach the Grand Final?

(No captains picked eventual premier the West Coast Eagles in 2018).

8 – Richmond.

5 – Collingwood.

2 – West Coast Eagles.

1 – GWS GIANTS, Adelaide Crows, Melbourne.

Who do you think will win the 2019 Brownlow Medal?

(One captain correctly nominated Tom Mitchell in 2018).

4 – Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong Cats).

3 – Nathan Fyfe (Fremantle), Patrick Cripps (Carlton).

2 – Dustin Martin (Richmond), Jaeger O’Meara (Hawthorn).

1 – Rory Sloane (Adelaide Crows), Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood), Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs), Max Gawn (Melbourne).

Who do you think will win the 2019 Coleman Medal?

(No captains picked eventual Coleman Medallist Jack Riewoldt in 2018).

7 – Josh Kennedy (West Coast Eagles).

4 – Jack Riewoldt (Richmond).

1 – Ben Brown (North Melbourne), Joe Daniher (Essendon), Tom Hawkins (Geelong Cats), Tom McDonald (Melbourne), Lance Franklin (Sydney Swans), Jeremy Cameron (GWS GIANTS), Jack Gunston (Hawthorn).

Who do you think will win the 2019 NAB AFL Rising Star?

(No captains picked eventual Ron Evans Medallist Jaidyn Stephenson in 2018).