West Coast coach Adam Simpson is backing Luke Shuey to retain the captaincy for 2023, saying there are indicators the 32-year-old can return to his finest type.
Shuey has been stricken by calf and hamstring points since taking on as captain in 2020, however he strung collectively 13 consecutive video games to complete off final season to point out his physique can nonetheless deal with the rigours.
West Coast will conduct their ordinary participant vote in January to determine on their subsequent captain and Simpson stated all indications had been Shuey was eager to proceed within the position.
“We normally use a player vote, and we’ll contribute, but I wouldn’t have thought there would be much change,” Simpson stated.
“We probably didn’t see the best of him (last year), but he was out there.
“I feel he is actually eager to get an excellent pre-season in and get again to the shape of some years in the past.
“It’s still there, I can see it. I can see the way he trains.”
Injury-plagued midfielder Elliot Yeo remains to be working his method again to full duties after tweaking his calf throughout the pre-season.
Yeo was stricken by calf and hamstring points final season and will probably be eased again into full coaching.
“He had a tiny, tiny niggle in his calf and we’re just being conservative,” Simpson stated.
“He’s been running for probably a month and he could start training tomorrow, but we’re just going to take our time, get to Christmas and hopefully get a really good run at it in the New Year.
“It’s so small, however sadly it has been recurring. We’re doing every part we will to get it proper.”
Forward Jack Darling is nursing a back niggle, but Simpson is optimistic it’s only minor.
“He got here again early and tried to affix in with the youthful guys who’ve been going fairly exhausting, and I feel he received a little bit of a shock,” Simpson stated.
“His again has stiffened up. I feel he’ll be nice in a few days.”
Simpson said his squad had become leaner in the off-season as the club attempts to bounce back from their horror 2-20 campaign.
West Coast lost Josh Kennedy and Jack Redden to retirement at the end of last season while Willie Rioli was traded to Port Adelaide.
The Eagles publicly expressed their disappointment that Rioli sought a trade after the club had supported him through numerous controversies.
Rioli was banned for two years for twice tampering with a urine sample and was also caught at Darwin airport with cannabis taped inside his shorts.
But Simpson has nothing but love for the 27-year-old.
“I want him all the most effective,” Simpson stated.
“He’s a premiership participant with us. Next time I see him I’ll give him a hug.”
