Emotive decisions around the appointment of a senior coach more often ends in tears than it does in triumph.

But the appointment of John Worsfold as senior coach of the West Coast Eagles in 2002 proved to be an astute call. Certainly there was a degree of emotion attached to it, particularly from the perspective of the members.

Both AFL clubs in Perth at the time were in search of a senior coach. Fremantle had sacked Damian Drum mid-season 2001, with Ben Allan standing in as a caretaker coach, while the Eagles waited until the end of the season to inform Ken Judge he would not be continuing.

And Worsfold, who had spent two years as an assistant coach at Carlton, was being courted by both clubs.

In the minds of the fans the decision to appoint Worsfold was a no-brainer, but West Coast was acutely aware of the necessity to go through the correct process of appointing its next coach. The process was both thorough – and for those engaged in the interview process – exhausting.

In the end Worsfold, the club’s favourite son, got the nod at a time when the WA football rumour mill was in over-drive, suggesting the dual West Coast premiership captain would get the Fremantle gig.

There was an obvious port connection for Worsfold having played his formative years at South Fremantle. And like so many who go through the system at the Bulldogs, he was a rusted on red and white supporter.

That Fremantle was based at South Fremantle’s home ground had a touch of romanticism about it as well, so without doubt he would have felt comfortable in that environment.

But the Eagles made their decision, and subsequently its announcement, first. It would prove to be an inspired appointment, with Worsfold at the helm of another successful era at the club.

While the two years under Ken Judge had not gone according to plan there was some upside in two failed seasons with the West Coast recruiting staff making the most of a position early in the draft to secure some outstanding talent.

Daniel Kerr was snared with pick 18 in the 2000 ballot and 12 months later Chris Judd was the standout selection at pick three, while Ashley Sampi (6), Mark Seaby (22) and Ashley Hansen (38) rounded out an impressive draft.

Kerr and Judd, good mates from the AIS system after touring Ireland with a national 16s team, would complement skipper Ben Cousins, Rowan Jones, Chad Fletcher, Drew Banfield and Michael Braun in the midfield while Dean Cox, a gangly youngster who was rookie listed during Judge’s time, would also mature to assist Michael Gardiner.

Kerr did not win the Rising Star Award in 2001, but he so easily could have because his impact was more profound than St Kilda’s Nick Riewoldt with the decision coming down to potential rather than first year achievements. Mind you, it’s tough to argue 15 years on.

Kerr won the AFL Players Association best first year player, however, and Judd – also pipped by a St Kilda tall in the Rising Star Award – won the AFLPA gong 12 months later. He didn’t win the Rising Star plaudit either, that went to Justin Koschitzke, in a decision which still doesn’t stand up to reason.  

So, it was something of a perfect storm; a highly respected favourite son arriving at the same time as some quality young players. Because so much of the talent at Worsfold’s disposal was unheralded at the time, he was able to go into his first season as coach with few expectations.

In addition to the return of Worsfold, he also brought with him another Eagles favourite Peter Sumich, who had been coaching at South Fremantle. The old firm was back together, with Guy McKenna also in an assistant’s role with support from Tony Micale (another good friend of Sumich) and West Coast stalwarts Rob Wiley and Tim Gepp.

Wiley and Gepp had been key elements of the Malthouse regime, so there was a balance of youth and experience within the coaching ranks. While Worsfold, Sumich and McKenna (in his third year as an assistant) all had coaching experience, the presence of Micale, Wiley and Gepp was important.

The season started positively with a 19-point win over the Dockers when Chad Fletcher won the Ross Glendinning Medal and bulldozing forward Troy Wilson kicked six goals.

Judd didn’t play that day, he was engaged at East Perth 24 hours earlier and kicked four goals for East Perth when they beat West Perth at Leederville Oval. Micale, who was coaching the Royals under an alignment model, told the Royals faithful that they should savour what they had witnessed that afternoon because Judd would never play with them again.

It was hardly a revelation of Nostradamus proportions, but he was on the money and when the Sandover Medal votes were revealed at season’s end it was no surprise to see Judd awarded top votes. 

The following week when the Eagles played Collingwood at the MCG, Judd made his senior debut. And so began one of the great – if not the greatest – career in the glittering history of the Eagles. West Coast lost a gripping game by a point, but Judd earned the Rising Star nomination.

This emerging team gave its supporters reason for high optimism with some outstanding performances during the year and playing finals football came down to the last qualifying game of the season.

West Coast needed to beat North Melbourne in that final game at Bruce Stadium in Canberra, to ensure they returned to finals action after a two-year absence.

With Wilson and Phil Matera putting on a clinic up forward, kicking 11 goals between them, the Eagles endured and won by 17 points. Kerr was also influential with four goals from the midfield while Cousins, Kasey Green, Gardiner and Judd also played strong roles.

That victory saw West Coast advance – courtesy of a five percent advantage over Geelong – after both clubs had a 50-50 win-loss split at 11 victories and 11 defeats. So the Eagles booked a date with Essendon at Colonial Stadium for an elimination final between the fifth and eighth-placed teams.

Ultimately West Coast lost the game, but they were brave and they would benefit greatly from the experience. Not that they went into the game with anything but victory in mind.

This West Coast team boasted 12 players who had never before tasted finals experience, there was  six teenagers and a 20-year-old in the team and they took the game up to the experienced Bombers, personified by a clean hit from Adam Hunter on Matthew Lloyd in the middle of the first term.

After Essendon kicked away early, the Eagles pegged them back and scores were level at the main break. Eventually the Bombers’ experience was a key and they endured, but the Eagles had announced their return as a force.