West Coast ruckman Bailey Williams has declared he “absolutely” wants to remain an Eagle despite free agency interest from interstate.

Williams has been a surprise breakout star for the Eagles this season, finally taking the ruck role by the scruff of the neck in his eighth season in the Eagles’ nest.

It’s seen rival clubs stand up and take notice of the 26-year-old, with the athletic big man out of contract at the end of the season.

However, Williams says he bleeds blue and yellow and wants to remain a part of what the young side is building under second-year coach Andrew McQualter.

“I’ve spent a fair bit of time here now. It’s my eighth year, and it hasn’t all been good times, but there’s a young group, young talent, and new coaches around the place, and I’m excited by that,” he told AFL.com.au.

“I reckon this club and this group of lads that we’ve got here can do some really great things, and these last few weeks of footy have shown how good we can be when we’re at our best.

“Although we’re probably not getting all the results we want, this is a club I’m really excited about, and I’m enjoying my footy. So yeah, I’m absolutely looking to re-sign.”

Williams was brilliant in the club’s surprise victory over Greater Western Sydney in round 10 at Optus Stadium.

He collected 41 hitouts, two goals, nine tackles, seven clearances and 16 disposals, having a deciding impact on the 15-point triumph.

He then backed it up with 28 hitouts, 12 clearances, 20 disposals and a goal in the Eagles’ narrow defeat to Collingwood in front of 90,028 fans at the MCG.

Since returning to the team in round six after a groin injury ruined his pre-season, Williams’ centre square combination with Harley Reid, Elliot Yeo and Tim Kelly is the most effective in the competition for overall clearances with 35.

And the big man has credited “living a pretty chill lifestyle” for his turn in form.

“I obviously didn’t have the start to the season that I wanted. I wasn’t in a great space and had to focus on my rehab with my groin, but then I just stripped it all back,” Williams said.

“It was more the mental side. I had such a big run of playing without being injured that I might have taken it for granted. But I’ve come back in this year refreshed and just loving my footy.

“I look to go out every week and just play as hard as I can and enjoy it, and with the mental side of things, they don’t feel as heavy as they once did.

“I’m living a pretty chill lifestyle when I’m away from the footy club. I’ve got the two dogs, Rusty and Wendy, and it’s super quiet in the hills, but I love that. Then when I’m in the club, I dial right up.”

The new ruck rules also suit the athletic big man, and there is no better example of that craft than West Coast champion Nic Naitanui, who has been working with Williams throughout his career.

“With this new ruck rule, a lot of the work we’re doing is about the angles you use to get the best jump at the footy, and then jumping hard and being physical,” Williams said.

“Then what you do once your feet hit the ground, and trying to act as an extra midfielder. That was obviously Nic’s strength, and I feel like it’s also my strength.

“We played a little bit of footy together, and he’s a ripping bloke and a really humble guy. He’s chilled out and great to sit down with and pick his brain. All of us rucks are really, really lucky to have him around the place.”