WEST COAST EAGLES/CHRIS JUDD/BEN COUSINS/06 TEAM SIGNED

WEST COAST EAGLES

PREMIERS 2006

History was created on several fronts when the West Coast Eagles won their third AFL Premiership with a one-point victory over the Sydney Swans in the 2006 Grand Final.Firstly, coach John Worsfold joined three other greats - Richmond's Percy Bentley, Geelong's Reg Hickey and Hawthorn's David Parkin – as a Premiership captain and then coach at the same club.Captain Chris Judd joined Essendon’s James Hird as the only man to be a Premiership captain, Norm Smith Medallist and Brownlow Medal winner.Athletic midfielder Andrew Embley joined Judd, Dean Kemp and Peter Matera as the Eagles’ Norm Smith Medal winners, meaning West Coast joined Essendon and Carlton as club’s to boast four individual winners of the AFL Grand Final’s best on ground.A year after the heartbreak of a four-point Grand Final defeat to the Swans, John Worsfold’s side was able to avenge their loss in a breathtaking contest.West Coast controlled the opening half, dominating in all parts of the ground. Judd, Daniel Kerr, Ben Cousins, Dean Cox and Embley were on parade in midfield, as key position teammates Darren Glass, Ashley Hansen and Quinten Lynch held sway. Leading by 25 points at half time, West Coast was resilient in the face of a challenge from the reigning champions. Whether it was the experience of Michael Braun and Daniel Chick or the youthful exuberance of Adam Selwood and Beau Waters, these Eagles were never going to be denied.Having triumphed in the most stirring Grand Final for some time, Eagles players and fans rejoiced, fresh in the knowledge their club had again stamped itself as the competition benchmark