West Coast defender Mark Nicoski has decided to avoid the unpredictability of the AFL national draft by signing a new deal with the Eagles.

Nicoski had contemplated entering either the national or pre-season drafts in a bid to earn a fresh start at a Victorian-based club following several injury-ravaged seasons at the Eagles.

But the 25-year-old, who has notched 81 games since making his debut in 2004, has agreed to terms with the Eagles and is expected to put pen to paper on a two-year deal within days.

"At this stage he's agreed to terms but I don't think he's put pen to paper just yet, hopefully today or tomorrow," assistant coach Peter Sumich said on Wednesday.

"We're pretty rapt about that."

Sumich acknowledged the imminent re-signing of Nicoski would result in the axing of 21-year-old midfielder Jamie McNamara, who has played 19 games since making his debut in 2007.

West Coast's first, second and third year players started pre-season training on Wednesday, with premiership defender Beau Waters also making an appearance as he continues his lengthy rehabilitation from a career-threatening elbow injury.

Waters, who has not played a game since dislocating his elbow playing in the WAFL midway through 2008, has undergone a succession of operations and Sumich was hopeful the 23-year-old's problems were finally over.

"He's going really well, he's had almost two years off in a sense so he's just looking forward to getting out there," Sumich said.

"He's fine to do all that (kicking and marking), he just has to make sure the contact is limited until after Christmas.

"He's like a new recruit for us."

The Eagles scrambled together just four wins in 2008 and a more credible but still off-the-pace eight victories in 2009 but Sumich said the building blocks were now in place for a real crack at the top eight.

"Richmond would have their eyes on the eight, Melbourne would even think that and we think we can make the eight, too," he said.

"I think the whole 16 sides have their eyes on that.

"If we can improve on the eight games (we won this year) it will take it very close.

"I think the main focus on the group is improving.

"Whether that adds up to enough games to make the eight, we'll wait and see.

"You might need to win 12 games to make the eight next year, it was 10 last year, so you don't know."

"I think West Coast fans have come around.

"They realise how tough the comp is now.

"It is tough and they know we've got rid of a lot of older players over the last couple of years to build again and it takes time.

"I think they've got the patience."

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