Sam Whiteman believes his present-day Western Australian champions deserve to be rated as one of the state's greatest-ever sides.
WA extended their domestic dynasty by sealing their third successive Shield and 18th in their history with a 377-run annihilation of Tasmania in the final at the WACA Ground in Perth.
Whiteman was named player of the match on Sunday for his first-innings 104 - his second ton in a Shield final after also scoring 123 in the 2021-22 decider.
He also became the fourth man to captain WA to two Shields, after John Inverarity (four times), Graeme Wood (three) and Tom Moody.
Wood raised the silverware in 1986-87, '87-88 and '88-89, and Whiteman believes his team belong in that same rarified air.
"It has to be one of the great WA Shield teams," he said.
"There was a team in the '80s that won three in a row.
"No doubt we'll go alongside them.
"I think with the one-day stuff (three consecutive Marsh Cups) as well, we'd have to be up there with the great WA teams.
"Hopefully there's more success down the line."
Unlike last summer when WA dominated virtually from the opening round, this season they had to scrap their way to the title, only sealing their place in the decider on the last day of the round-robin stage following two late wins.
Their No.1 batter Cameron Bancroft missed the final with concussion following a cycling accident, while attack spearheads Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson and Matt Kelly were unavailable through injury.
"Everything went to plan last year - we won a lot of Shield games early and we were out in front," Whiteman said.
"We've had a tough slog this year with injuries and Australian selections.
"With Cameron Bancroft dropping out, arguably one of our most important players, the way others stood up and did a job for the team, it's a huge effort from everyone.
"It's taken the whole squad to win.
"I'm incredibly proud of the group."
