No one gives West Coast a chance in hell of making this year's AFL top eight, which could turn out to be a blessing in disguise if you ask former Eagle Michael Braun.

West Coast and Melbourne were the only two teams to not receive a single nomination as top-eight material in this year's annual poll of the 16 AFL captains.

TAB Sportsbet has the Eagles, who won just four games last season, a $5 chance to make the top eight in '09.

But Braun, who retired at the end of last season after a glittering 228-game career, said the captains' poll would serve as extra motivation for the current crop of players as they strive to put last year's disastrous campaign behind them.

"I reckon it's a bit inspiring for the boys to prove everyone wrong that they can be competitive and make the eight," Braun said on Thursday.

"If you go into a season thinking you can't play finals then you're not playing football for the right reasons.

"Everyone wants to be competitive and I'm sure John (Worsfold) and Glassy will get the boys up and firing.

"A few injuries may hit certain clubs and some of our young kids could come on fairly quickly.

"It's going to be an exciting year.

"Hopefully we can make the eight and prove people wrong.

"As Woosha says, he usually doesn't care what other people say about his team, he just focuses on what he's doing and his ability to get the boys up.

"Obviously there's a few people gone, but there's still some quality people and stars left in the side that can play."

Although Braun's playing days are behind him, the 30-year-old has found it hard to let go of football.

He is coach of WAFL club East Perth's colts team and is also being kept busy by his five-month old son.

The Eagles donated more than $8,000 to cancer charity Camp Quality on Thursday, a sum made up of player contributions over the past year.

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