Sydney coach Paul Roos has little doubt it is a case of when, not if, that West Coast makes up its AFL grand final loss.

Soon after the nailbiting four-point finish on Saturday at the MCG, Eagles coach John Worsfold was backing his current list to go one place better, with few changes in personnel.

"I've got no doubt that the group he's assembled and the team that he's got, they'll win a premiership - there's no question about that in my mind," Roos said.

"They've got too much talent, the basis of their game is finals, tough, hard footy.

"They'll win a premiership maybe next year, who knows?"

Captain Ben Cousins won the Brownlow Medal and the players' association most valuable player awards, along with a host of media prizes, while Chris Judd took out the Norm Smith Medal as best afield in the grand final.

But it was also a season of "seconds" for West Coast - second in the pre-season competition, second at the end of the regular season and second on Saturday.

While the Eagles boast a young and powerful team, they lacked the forward firepower to overcome the Swans.

West Coast was also below-par in its much-heralded midfield, with Daniel Kerr injured in the first term and Chad Fletcher suffering a day to forget.

Worfold said it was "an amazing effort" for Kerr to return to the field after he was hurt in the first term.

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