SHANNON Hurn was still five months away from being born when Ross Glendinning led the fledgling Eagles on to Subiaco Oval on March 29, 1987 for the club’s inaugural game.

But the current club captain knows the story of West Coast’s stunning debut win over Richmond, describing the comeback from 33 points down at the final change as “ridiculous”.

Hurn will lead West Coast into a fresh era when they christen their sparkling new home, Optus Stadium, against Sydney today.

“The club’s always got its history at Subiaco, but it probably is a new chapter or new beginning I suppose,” he said.

“You want to be able to make WA a hard place to come to.”

A defiant Hurn was confident the outsider Eagles would be competitive.

“There’s always going to be outside noise. So you’ve always got to be confident in what you’re doing,” he said.

“I think we’re pretty clear on the game plan and reckon blokes understand if you play team football, you’re always in the game. So they are the two things that we will be focusing on.”

Glendinning was switched from centre-half back to centre-half forward at three-quarter time of the historic victory against the Tigers.

Now employed at West Coast in a marketing role, the 61-year-old said running out for the match was his stand-out memory of the day.

“There was a bit of nervousness in the rooms beforehand. We had a lot of young players at the time. I was nervous, but I was probably more nervous for them,” Glendinning said.

Glendinning was bullish about the Eagles’ today, saying the occasion and a record WA footy crowd would spur them on.

“That can’t be underestimated. The players are nervous, like anyone. They just want to get going,” he said.