West Coast have shrugged off a dogged Collingwood at Subiaco Oval, celebrating the raising of last year's AFL premiership flag with a 12.15 (87) to 11.9 (75) victory.

Leading by just three points at the final change, West Coast could have gone behind to an errant Travis Cloke set shot in the last term - before finally breaking the shackles through back-to-back majors from Brent Staker and Matt.

Up until then honours had been even, with Daniel Kerr and Chris Judd inevitably outstanding for the premiers, and Heath Shaw's industry and Anthony Rocca's four goals the main highlights for the Pies.

But as they have done for three seasons, West Coast's all-round quality eventually shone through, with Tyson Stenglein brilliant in his 50th game for the club, and Beau Waters, Brett and Rowan Jones all influential.

Eagles coach John Worsfold said despite Collingwood staying with them, he had an inkling his side would eventually make a decisive break.

"They came out to take it up to us, and I just felt after getting the early momentum, a turnover kick got them on the board and got them going," Worsfold said.

"A few errors let them stay in touch and then get in front, but I thought our work rate was outstanding and I was confident that at some stage we were going to get in front."

Worsfold also said he was delighted with his younger brigade who again proved they belonged on the AFL stage.

"We haven't got as much depth in terms of players that have played 40 or 50 games, but the young kids coming through are doing very well," Worsfold said.

Despite the Eagles' assurances on Friday that Dean Cox was right and ready, the sight of the All-Australian ruckman in a suit an hour before the game confirmed his absence with a quadricep injury.

And the visitors were not without their own late drama, with Ryan Lonie replaced by Daniel Nicholls after Lonie had been suggested as a possible tag for Judd.

That job fell to Ben Johnson - but no-one in the Pies box appeared to have envisaged David Wirrpanda and Adam Hunter both starting forward for West Coast.

After a first quarter of two halves, the second also swung to and fro, with the teams trading goals - and Leon Davis the main broker.

A magical first, displaying balance and poise on the touchline, was followed by a second a minute later. His third of the quarter from a free kick took the lead to 13 points.

Just as hope began to well in Pies' fans hearts, Rocca was foolishly reported for a late hit on Jaymie Graham and a freakish injury to Johnson - when he missed a kick and caught the oncoming Quinten Lynch instead - shifted the momentum again.

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse, as he did when going down to the Eagles at Subiaco last year, refused to accept the result as a honourable loss.

"For God's sake save the patronising - it happens every time we come over here, it's happened this year, it happened last year," Malthouse said.

"We don't accept anything except the fact we got beaten."

Malthouse said quality ball use right through the West Coast side had been the difference.

"Any one of them, they all know how to kick, they all know how to find a target, we don't. I thought we butchered the ball too often.

"We had enough opportunities to score heavier than what we did, we didn't and you pay a penalty."

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