Shannon Hurn says West Coast determined to build on surprise premiership success in 2018

West Coast skipper Shannon Hurn is confident his side won’t be a “flash in the pan”, saying the group are determined to build on from last year’s premiership success.

Shannon Hurn celebrates West Coast’s premiership.

West Coast skipper Shannon Hurn is confident his side won’t be a “flash in the pan”, saying the group are determined to build on from last year’s premiership success.

The Eagles bucked the odds to win the 2018 premiership, overcoming the loss of stars Nic Naitanui, Andrew Gaff, and Brad Sheppard to win the club’s fourth flag.

West Coast have never won back-to-back premierships in their 32-year history, but the club is determined to achieve the feat this year.

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However, just getting back to the Grand Final shapes as a massive challenge. Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs are recent examples of how quickly the wheels can fall off.

The Bulldogs won a surprise flag in 2016, but haven’t reached the finals since.

Adelaide won the minor premiership in 2017 and went on to reach the Grand Final, but fell to 12th last season.

West Coast coach Adam Simpson and captain Shannon Hurn hold up the premiership cup.

West Coast players returned to pre-season training on Monday, and Hurn was happy with the fitness of the group.

The 248-game veteran says his team are well and truly over their premiership celebrations, and are squarely focused on achieving success in 2019.

“That’s the balance the group’s found quite well,” Hurn said.

“Yes, the week after, two weeks after (the premiership) you enjoy what we did but then you understand you have to move on.

“It’s all hands back on deck and away we go again.

“You don’t want to be a flash in the pan. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel.

Josh Kennedy celebrates on the final siren after West Coast defeat Collingwood. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“It’s just making sure you’re always staying up to date with the game, still trying to play as a team.

“If we do that, I think we’ll be able to put ourselves in a good position to be able to compete.”

At this time last year, Hurn’s future as captain was being heavily debated, with a host of critics saying the 31-year-old should hand over the duties to Luke Shuey.

But Hurn silenced the doubters with an outstanding individual and team campaign, and the All-Australian defender is keen to retain the skipper’s role for a fifth straight year.

Star forward Josh Kennedy is still on restricted duties after undergoing shoulder surgery during the off-season.

West Coast’s first pre-season match is against Geelong at Perth’s Leederville Oval on March 1.

Originally published as Shannon Hurn says West Coast determined to build on surprise premiership success in 2018