AFL Comparison #17: West Coast Eagles

The West Coast Eagles are not a founding member of the VFL, or even the AFL, but they've been a very important part over the last twenty years, winning titles in 2006, 1994, and 1992, just their sixth year of existence. They're known as a bold franchise, out on the western edge of the Australian continent (away from the "civilized" southeastern region with the majority of people in it), one that plays with assertiveness and confidence. Their stars are often BIG stars: Nic Natanui, Dean Cox, and 2014's Brownlow medalist, Matt Priddis.

In 2012-14, they kept failing to even make the final eight, usually falling around .500 and in the 9th or 10th spots. While they made a big push in 2015 and made it to the Grand Final (where Hawthorn destroyed them in the first half and coasted the rest of the way), in 2016 they were back to their middle-of-the-road record, landing in sixth place and losing decisively in the first round to the eventual champion Western Bulldogs.

Middle of the road, doesn't win playoff games. Who does that remind you of?

Their American counterpart: the Dallas Cowboys

Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, DeMarco Murray...great players, all. And yet...and yet. The Cowboys finished the season at 8-8 for three consecutive years. They were above that in 2014, coming relatively close to making the title game in 2014 (remember the Dez Bryant "catch or not a catch"?), only to crash back to earth last year with injuries and end up 4-12.

But this is the year! (This is a recorded announcement, as we've said that every year for a decade....)

The Cowboys, long lauded as "America's team", haven't pushed that moniker in a number of years, and it's been sixteen years since they've won a playoff game. But they're still one of the most beloved/most hated teams in the competition. They have a long history of success, even without being one of the original teams (even in the old AMERICAN Football League, the AFL that merged with the NFL after four Super Bowls split 2-2). 

The Dallas Cowboys and West Coast Eagles have one other trait in common, one that perfectly encapsulates their importance: Their leagues are more interesting and popular whenever they're competitive. (And it sure does look like this year's one of those for Dallas; let's hope the left coast Eagles have the same success.)