Eagles stick with Glass as captain
UPDATE: Darren Glass could surpass John Worsfold’s record for most games as West Coast captain after the Eagles last night announced the 32-year-old defender will continue as the club’s leader for a seventh season.
Big guns step up Eagles preparation
Midfielder Scott Selwood and key forward Josh Kennedy will replace Beau Waters, who stepped down, as Glass’ deputy.
Ruckman Dean Cox and 2013 best-and-fairest Matt Priddis are also in the leadership group.
Glass has now led the Eagles in 121 matches and needs to play another 18 games as captain this year to pass Worsfold’s record of 138.
Glass told the club’s website he cherished the captaincy.
“I never take the position for granted and with my teammates deciding they wanted me to continue and subsequent endorsement from the match committee and board I am thrilled to captain the club again in 2014,” he said.
Glass has played 262 games for West Coast since his debut in 2000 and is currently fifth in the club’s games tally behind Glen Jakovich (276), Dean Cox (273), Guy McKenna (267) and Drew Banfield (265).
West Coast's Mitch Brown and Sharrod Wellingham contest at training on Wednesday. Picture: Megan Powell / The West Australian.
The Eagles required a new vice-captain because of the uncertainty surrounding the immediate future of Waters.
The 27-year-old, restricted to just seven games last year by injury, is likely to head to Melbourne to get a surgeon’s opinion on his troublesome shoulder.
Waters underwent a reconstruction on the shoulder in August but had to have stabilising pins prematurely removed in December after developing an infection in the joint.
It is still to be determined if he will need further surgery which could keep him on the sidelines for three to four months early in the season.
West Coast took a significant step up in their preparations for the NAB Challenge yesterday with ruckman Nic Naitanui and midfielder Sharrod Wellingham joining in match practice at Patersons Stadium.
The Eagles’ major injury concerns ahead of the season are now Waters and fellow defender Will Schofield.
Schofield is easing his way back after a hamstring injury.
The Eagles played four shortened quarters of high-intensity match practice yesterday, broken up at half-time by a short skills session.
Naitanui, Wellingham and recruit Xavier Ellis sat out the first two quarters but played the second two.
Injured star Nic Naitanui back on the track at training on Wednesday. Picture: Megan Powell / The West Australian.
