West Coast coach John Worsfold was always confident there would be no repeat of last year's AFL grand final, even as Sydney made its heroic second-half charge.

The Eagles and Swans produced a second-successive grand final classic, with Worsfold's team winning by a point to give West Coast its third premiership.

Last year, Leo Barry's match-saving mark gave Sydney a four-point win and its first flag in 72 years.

"It was never going to be a repeat of last year, even if we lost - it was a different game, different year, different players out there, everything," Worsfold said.

"So it wasn't going to be a repeat of last year, unless Leo Barry took a screamer to save the game - and they needed a screamer to win the game this time."

The overriding feeling for Worsfold post-match was satisfaction, having completed the process that he started after taking over as Eagles coach in 2002.

One of the most feared defenders of the 1990s and a two-time premiership captain is now also an AFL premiership coach.

At three-quarter time, with the Swans pressing, Worsfold told his players to have faith and keep working hard.

"There were a couple of times (earlier in the game) when you thought maybe we should have been further in front, but it doesn't happen a lot against Sydney - certainly not in Sydney-West Coast games," he said.

"The key message (at the last break) was if we maintained our workrate like we aimed for all year....we would win the game."

The Eagles had a strong season and Worsfold has no doubt several players who missed out on the match would add strength to the team beyond this season.

"We have some real hungry young men who know they're good enough to play in this side - like Mark Nicoski or Matty Rosa or Jaymie Graham, Brent Staker," he said.

While Worsfold spoke of satisfaction, his captain Chris Judd expressed relief.

Still only 23, Judd's premiership medal already completes an AFL resume that features a Brownlow medal, a Norm Smith medal and All-Australian selection.

Judd suffered a "stinger" in his left shoulder during the third term, but he played out the game and was in the Eagles' best.

"It's filled the hole in the trophy cabinet - I'm just ecstatic," he said of his premiership medallion.

"When you win individual awards, it's never fact, it's always somebody's opinion.

"The fact (was) last year, the best side in the competition was Sydney and this year the fact is, it's us.

"No-one can argue with that, it's a very good feeling.

"It's been an amazing journey and I've been very lucky to come into a club at an exciting time."

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