Age: the opponent Glass couldn't beat
West Coast captain Darren Glass considered retirement for five weeks because of hip and ankle injuries before stunning the football world yesterday by quitting the game.
Eagles coach Adam Simpson and chief executive Trevor Nisbett confirmed talks with the four-times All-Australian before lingering soreness from last weekend's trip to Launceston proved the final straw.
The 33-year-old brought the curtain down to offer opportunity to young key-position players like Jeremy McGovern.
A big field of contenders has emerged to take over as captain, with midfielders Matt Priddis and Scott Selwood and forward Josh Kennedy the frontrunners.
Defender Shannon Hurn is also likely to be considered. Simpson said the club was likely to rotate the contenders through the role in the second half of the season to assess their ability to do the job.
Nisbett said Glass' critical role in overhauling the club's culture in 2008-2010 had elevated him even further in the club's estimation than his stellar playing career had.
"He was the linchpin," he said.
"If he didn't buy in to what we were trying to do, then you don't have any chance. He was the first one to put his hand up and say 'I am in. We need to change this'.
"It took us three or four years to do that. Cultural change is probably the most difficult thing. He has now left a legacy."
Glass said in hindsight he had played a year too long and confirmed he had "four to five" weeks of talks with Simpson about his deteriorating body.
"Adam said 'we have got a problem, the skipper is not too good'," Nisbett said.
"He was really struggling coming up after each game. He just got to the stage where he came and saw me and said 'I am going to be right for Launceston but I am not sure after that'.
"Last night he made the call."
A typically understated Glass described himself as a "battler" and a "scragger" who "defended like a defender should defend - desperately".
"I had my limitations as a player but I loved playing the game, loved competing," he said.
He was one of three changes to the side for tomorrow's match against Gold Coast at Patersons Stadium.
Fellow veteran Dean Cox (soreness) was left out and Sharrod Wellingham was dropped for the second time this season.
Kennedy was recalled after missing last weekend with a broken cheekbone, while Brad Sheppard and Scott Lycett returned to the 22.
Gold Coast dropped Clay Cameron and couldn't consider Karmichael Hunt (knee). Aaron Hall and Alex Sexton were recalled.
