Footy commentator David King believes West Coast will be forced to pull the pin on their veterans by round 10 if they fall out of finals contention.

By midway through the 2022 season, West Coast will have 10 players aged 30 or over on their list, including ruckman Nic Naitanui, and midfielders Luke Shuey and Jack Redden.

Speaking on SEN, King warned the Eagles would have no choice but to play their younger brigade if the season doesn’t go as planned.

“They’ve got one last dance, one last campaign in 2022,” he predicted.

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“They’ll pull the pin on it if it’s failing in round 10 or 12 or round 15.

“But until it goes completely sideways, they’ll push on for that elusive flag.”

King backed West Coast’s decision to allow veterans Shannon Hurn and Josh Kennedy to play on, despite the club’s ageing list.

“I think at least they are aware of their situation,” he said.

“I’ve heard them speak… ‘We’ve backed these players in’ and why wouldn’t you? They’ve been so good.”

While Kennedy is yet to officially announce he’s going round again in 2022, Hurn has said he will play on into a 17th AFL season.

The Eagles currently hold their best draft hand since 2017, when they snapped up Jarrod Brander (pick 13), Oscar Allen (pick 21), Liam Ryan (pick 26), Brayden Ainsworth (pick 32), Jack Petruccelle (pick 38) and Hamish Brayshaw (pick 68).

Brayshaw was the first to depart the club, delisted at the end of 2020, while Brander was officially cut by the Eagles on Monday.

West Coast currently head into next month’s AFL Draft with picks 10, 29, 35, 68 and 86.