Luke Shuey will skipper West Coast for a fourth straight AFL season, however Nic Naitanui has handed on the vice-captaincy baton to Tom Barrass.
The Eagles introduced their management construction on Tuesday, with 32-year-old Shuey “overwhelmingly” supported by the participant group to proceed on as captain.
Shuey’s first two seasons as captain had been affected by tender tissue accidents, however he managed to string 13 consecutive video games collectively to complete off final yr to indicate his physique can nonetheless deal with the rigours of elite soccer.
Jeremy McGovern has retained his position as one of many two vice-captains, however Naitanui determined to step down from an official management position with the intention to consider his soccer.
Naitanui, who was restricted to simply eight video games final yr, will as an alternative mentor the membership’s youthful gamers in a casual position, with Barrass getting into his sneakers as joint vice-captain.
Barrass gained the membership’s greatest and fairest award final yr after producing a career-best season that just about gained him a spot within the All-Australian aspect.
The 27-year-old defender has been tipped to turn into West Coast’s subsequent captain, and his elevation is a robust signal that the membership view him in the identical mild.
Oscar Allen looms as one other robust captaincy contender in future years.
Shuey’s reputation among the many West Coast participant group wasn’t dented by final yr’s horror 2-20 marketing campaign, and his teammates had been eager for him to proceed on as skipper.
“Luke has enjoyed strong support from the player group over the last three years and that sentiment carried through in the process this season,” West Coast basic supervisor of soccer Gavin Bell stated in an announcement.
“He was keen to continue in the role and we are delighted he will remain as captain.
“Jeremy has been a vice-captain to Luke for every of the final three years and he has been joined by Tom who has demonstrated his management qualities, each on and off-field, for a number of years.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
