After two wins from three games to start the year, it’s becoming clear that West Coast’s rise back up the ladder might not take as long as expected.

And such is the state of their burgeoning rebuild and early evidence in 2026, their long-term prospects may already be more appealing than three rival clubs, led by two young stars in particular.

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The Eagles claimed their second consecutive scalp on Sunday afternoon after overturning a 29-point second-quarter deficit to beat Port Adelaide in hostile territory, with young guns passing the mettle test with flying colours.

“I just think the group’s resilience is starting to shine through,” coach Andrew McQualter said post-match.

“Young players — young and old players — stood up in huge moments and all through the second half, the last five minutes of the game.

“That’s probably the most pleasing thing from my (point of view) … It’s shown a growing maturity.”

Willem Duursma notched 20 disposals, seven score involvements and a goal — looking more and more like the No.1 pick he was last November — while Harley Reid, the first overall selection in 2023, starred with two goals from 21 possessions and nine score involvements.

Jobe Shanahan, meanwhile, took four intercept marks and seven in total, including a sensational pack mark in the dying stages that helped seal the two-point win.

King, who affectionately dubbed Duursma the “Slight Delight”, said the rangy midfielder needed to be deployed in the guts as soon as possible, adding that he and Reid “feed off each other”.

“I loved his game. Seven score involvements as a wingman is a great sign. Get him in the middle. Get him in that high-volume section of the ground, and let him go to work,” King said on Fox Footy’s First Crack.

McQualter praises young sides growth | 07:39

“He’s fine. He’s as tough as tough … the guns go in the middle. Max Holmes is the model – not necessarily the bigger guy, but clearly they’re going to get stronger as they go.

“I’d be running the risk on just seeing what you’ve got there for a while, and risking the injury status.

“I think they feed off each other. Reid and Duursma say ‘hey, let’s go, let’s engage in the fight’.”

Dual All-Australian Leigh Montagna identified the way the Eagles were “buying in” to McQualter’s system.

“They are committed. They’re all in,” he said on Sunday night.

“Harley Reid’s leadership has gone (up) a level. We know he’s still going to get involved in the niggle – that’s him – but the way that he plays, and the leadership he’s showing and the maturity I really like.”

King added: “They’ve become a really watchable team, now, West Coast. Just enjoy the fact that they’re on … they are becoming box office, the Eagles, and these kids are very entertaining.”

And uncomfortably for rival rebuilding sides, the Eagles might have already surpassed a few this season.

King floated: “Which teams have West Coast already challenged to be on par, or going past, through the rebuild phase? … I think the high-end picks (Reid and Duursma) have given them high-end capabilities.

“I think you’re looking at Essendon and saying, ‘Okay, who would you rather be?’ Are you looking at Carlton?”

Montagna said: “Essendon and Carlton are the two, because they just don’t have the high-end, real quality. I know Essendon has got Caddy — that’s probably the only one at the moment — and same with Carlton; they’ve got Jagga Smith, but you need a few more, and I think West Coast is ahead in that facet.

“North Melbourne should still be ahead, because they have all the top-end talent, and Richmond are 12 months ahead.”

On the side the Eagles overran on Sunday, Port Adelaide, Montagna said West Coast was “probably” in front of the Power, particularly if Zak Butters departs at year’s end, while King said: “I’m worried about Port. I’m worried about that list.”

West Coast’s next challenge comes in the form of Sydney, off its first bye, back at home in Round 4.