Luke Shuey to captain West Coast in 2020 after Shannon Hurn stepped down
Norm Smith medallist Luke Shuey will lead West Coast next year, and he has enormous shoes to fill after delivering outgoing captain Shannon Hurn the ultimate compliment.
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Star midfielder Luke Shuey will captain West Coast in 2020.
The 29-year-old will assume the role for next season after Shannon Hurn stepped down this week.
Hurn, who captained the Eagles in the 2018 premiership, shocked teammates with his decision to relinquish his position after declaring he could no longer commit the time required to both lead and perform at the highest level.
Shuey, who was raised in Melbourne and studied at Marcellin College, was voted in as captain by his teammates before the club’s board endorsed the decision.
He had previously served as joint vice-captain alongside forward Josh Kennedy this season.
Kennedy will remain in his vice-captaincy role next year, while star defender Jeremy McGovern will also serve as vice-captain.
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“It’s a tremendous honour. I look at the captains that have come before me and I feel a little embarrassed to be lined up next to them,” Shuey said.
“I’ve always wanted to be the best leader I can be, purely just to help this footy club grow and succeed.
“I said all along if I was to be captain it would have to be the best thing for the footy club. I’m not about being captain just for the title.
“I’m here to help the footy club grow and improve, and hopefully get back to where we were in 2018 after the job ‘Bung’ (Hurn) did.
“It’s an enormous privilege and one I’m looking forward to.”
Shuey paid tribute to outgoing captain Hurn.
“What he has done can’t be understated. He’s taken us to two Grand Finals and a flag. I can’t remember him having a bad game,” he said.
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“He’s changed our culture for the better. If he’s an understated leader, his results aren’t.”
West Coast coach Adam Simpson said Shuey is the right man for the job.
“Luke’s stood up on the big stage. The best leaders care the most and he cares about his mates and he cares about the club,” he said.
Shuey won the Norm Smith Medal in West Coast’s thrilling Grand Final win over Collingwood and has played 201 career games.