Star defender Reuben Ginbey says he’s confident West Coast is beginning to put together all the pieces to contend for a premiership before his new contract expires at the end of 2030.

It was announced on Wednesday that Ginbey — who was already signed on for next season — inked a three-year extension, which now has him locked in as the longest-contracted Eagle.

Forward Jake Waterman, co-captain Liam Baker, injured utility Jack Hutchinson, and recruit Brandon Starcevich — who is set to make his club debut against Port Adelaide at Optus Stadium on Saturday — are all signed until the end of 2029.

It is just reward for the burly 21-year-old who has established himself as the No.1 defender at the Eagles in the past 18 months under coach Andrew McQualter.

Ginbey won’t come out contract now until he qualifies as a free agent, placing his faith in McQualter and the club’s current trajectory amid an extensive rebuild.

Asked if he felt as if they could win a premiership before his new deal runs out, Ginbey didn’t hesitate when he answered: “Definitely”.

“The promising signs we’ve shown, the great group of lads we’ve got here, the mix of leaders we’ve got now... it can only get better from here,” he said.

Ginbey’s re-signing comes on the back of a strong three-week stretch of football for the Eagles, who have claimed wins against Greater Western Sydney and Essendon at home, while they pushed Collingwood to the line in Scott Pendlebury’s record-breaking game at the MCG in front of more than 90,000 people.

It has last year’s wooden spooners possessing four wins before the mid-season bye. Ginbey entered the year with only seven victories from 63 games at the top level.

“The faith the team’s putting in me in my role in the team, as well as the mates I’ve here and the footy we’ve played for the majority this year, and especially the last month, has just been great,” he said.

“The younger boys are coming along. Harley (Reid) is doing what he’s doing as one of the best players in the competition. Worm (Willem Duursma), Duff (Cooper Duff-Tytler) — all those kinds of boys, I have just so much faith in them.

“They’re just such a great group of lads as well, and I can really see us starting to win more games of footy and really start attacking that top level of the ladder.

“We got our two wins, and against Collingwood, playing a game like that in front of 90,000 is just a massively important experience for our group.”

Ginbey is not only viewed widely as a vital for the Eagles’ on-field future but off it as well, with many tipping the East Perth product to be the next captain of the Eagles.

Despite still being early in his career, Ginbey was added to the leadership group before this season and has quickly developed in the role.

Ginbey said he’d “definitely” be thinking about becoming a future captain of the Eagles in the future.

“But probably not too soon, we’ve got a lot of other great leaders,” he said.

“I’m super happy being in that leadership group and helping underneath them.

“I’ve been lucky to play 75 games in my fourth year already, so I’m super grateful to have that experience early. Naturally, the way I play footy, I just bring my strengths, which are effort and intensity, and hopefully the boys can just feed off that.

“And use a bit more of my experience now to use my voice and lead the boys, especially because I play as the deepest quite a lot of the game.”

Ginbey already has an impressive resume. He finished runner-up to Liam Baker in last year’s John Worsfold Medal and is likely to be right in the mix alongside Reid to claim the club champion award this year after a stellar start to the season down back.

McQualter was resolute in his belief that the young bull should be in contention for his maiden All-Australian berth as he continues to excel as an undersized key defender.

Ginbey said he was humbled by the high praise from his coach, which came on the back of a best-on-ground performance against the Bombers when he beat Bombers spearhead Nate Caddy.

“I’m not quite up with those names, I don’t think. There are a few boys going a bit better than me at the moment,” he said.

“I’m not really looking too far ahead to that kind of thing. I am just going to keep bringing my intent and effort, and the performances will come.

“The faith Mini has put in me over the past 18 months, to be a 20-year-old last year and take the best forwards in the comp, learn a few lessons along the way, and I’ve still got a lot to learn, but I think the way my footy’s developed over the past 18 months I’m quite proud.”

The next big signature for the Eagles to land long-term will be Reid, who signed a two-year extension in August to remain an Eagle until the end of 2028.

Ginbey said he was yet to get into Reid’s ear about joining him long-term at the club, but was excited for at least the next few years together.

“I knew he was going to stay; he loves it here, and I love playing with him as well,” he said.

“The footy he’s playing is the best footy we’ve seen from him.

“The way he plays the game, I just love. He’s aggressive, plays on the line, but he also has his teammates’ backs, so that’s what we love about him.

“I don’t know what he’s going to do past however long he’s signed with, but I know he’s here for the next few years at least, so I can’t wait to keep playing with him.”