SHANNON Hurn has been named West Coast captain for 2015.
The rebounding defender becomes the 10th skipper in the club's history.
The 27-year-old was a part of the captaincy rotation last season after long serving skipper Darren Glass retired mid-season.
Hurn, Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis, best and fairest winner Eric Mackenzie and vice-captain Josh Kennedy all performed well as stand-in skippers throughout the second half of the 2014 season, but Hurn was a clear standout.
Coach Adam Simpson said Hurn's endorsement for the full-time job was overwhelming.
"The players had a vote and it was pretty clear they thought Shannon should get the job," Simpson said.
"After Glassy retired we were really impressed with the way all the boys accepted the responsibility of the captaincy.
"One of the key things as captain is that you have to play well, and they all did that.
"With JK (Josh Kennedy) and Scooter (Scott Selwood) as vice-captains, there is terrific support around Shannon, but everyone on the list has a leadership role to play in one form or another."
The Eagles did not use the player vote exclusively for their decision to appoint Hurn as captain.
It was merely part of the process with Simpson, general manager of football Craig Vozzo, and chief executive Trevor Nisbett making the final decision before having it ratified by the Eagles board. Kennedy and Selwood will remain vice-captains for 2015.
Simpson said he trusted that process.
"There's really strong unity across the club and across every level," Simpson said.
"We're really trying hard to keep everyone involved in a process that's as big as this."
Hurn, who qualified for Eagles life membership last season when he played his 150th game in round 21 against Essendon, said he was thrilled to join an elite group of players to lead the club.
"It's just a great honour," Hurn said.
"I think we have a great bunch of players at the club, so I think it will be fantastic to lead them."
Hurn said he wasn't expecting the burden of captaincy to fall on his shoulders alone.
"Well I don't really expect anything," he said.
"I think Scott Selwood would've done a good job. So can Josh Kennedy, Matt Priddis, Eric Mackenzie - we've got five blokes that could do a really good job. I think that'll be the key thing for us as a senior leadership group is working together.
"I would like to think that I would have a pretty good voice and good feel for the playing group," Hurn said.
"I'll still continue to grow as a person and grow in the role and I suppose just have a good relationship with all players, with all staff, making sure we're helping each other achieve what we want to do, which is win a premiership."
Hurn said the best perk of his new title would come when he goes fishing with his close friend Mark LeCras.
"Lecca is here today so I said, 'mate, I know you've got a boat but there might be two skippers on the boat now'," Hurn joked.
