West Coast must choose wisely in replacing accomplished skipper Darren Glass.
The Eagles have decided to rotate a number of players through the role of captain for the remainder of the season after Glass announced his immediate retirement last week.
The Eagles’ veteran, who succumbed to a groin complaint, brought invaluable stability to the club when he was given the captaincy in 2008 during a period of turmoil.
The new captain will face a similarly difficult challenge. West Coast’s premiership window, which appeared wide open last season, has now slammed shut. With Glass gone and champion ruckman Dean Cox a chance to retire this year, the club is entering a fresh era under new coach Adam Simpson.
Despite high expectations, the Eagles have floundered on-field this year and last. Their seasons have been marred by poor foot skills, questionable fitness and, most worryingly, inconsistent levels of passion and competitiveness.
The new skipper won’t have much input in addressing the first two of those problems, but will surely need to combat the last one.
Simpson has said that the members of the Eagles’ leadership group would share the role. That group consists of Josh Kennedy, tough midfielder Scott Selwood, unrelenting on-baller Matt Priddis and Cox.
Cox surely won’t be considered for the captaincy considering his future in the game is in doubt. I would also rule out Priddis by virtue of his age. He will be 30 next season and given the Eagles face a potential rebuilding period, they need a captain who will lead the next generation of players for at least four or five years.
The one person who did not feature in that leadership group who has on-field leadership experience is former vice-captain Beau Waters.
Waters looked to have been earmarked as the Eagles’ next skipper but has been cruelled by a wide assortment of injuries. The rugged 28-year-old defender has missed 27 of West Coast’s last 34 games and it remains to be seen whether he can rejuvenate his AFL career. Waters relinquished the vice captaincy at the start of this season to focus on injury rehabilitation.
That leaves 26-year-old Kennedy and 24-year-old Selwood as the best-placed candidates. That pair were confirmed as Glass’ vice-captains at the start of the season, so they have some experience, albeit limited, in official leadership roles.
Kennedy could scarcely have made a more resounding impression in his debut outing as captain on the weekend. The bustling key forward slotted seven goals as the Eagles edged out top-eight side Gold Coast. He is vocal on the field and leads by example with his commendable work ethic.
But my pick for the captaincy would be Selwood.
The brother of the AFL’s best captain in Geelong’s Joel Selwood, Scott Selwood is one of West Coast’s most consistent players. If his naked passion, desperation and aggression could rub off on some of his languid teammates, the club could make a charge back towards the finals next season.
At just 24, Selwood could lead the team for up to seven or eight years which, in itself, should provide crucial stability.
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