West Coast Eagles Unveil New Leadership Duo for 2026 AFL Campaign
The West Coast Eagles have officially revealed their leadership structure for the upcoming 2026 AFL season, appointing Liam Duggan and Liam Baker as co-captains. This decision comes in the wake of Oscar Allen's move to the reigning premiers, the Brisbane Lions, marking a significant shift in the club's leadership dynamics.
Dual Captaincy Model Retained After Allen's Departure
In response to Allen's defection, the Eagles have chosen to maintain their dual-captain approach, with Baker stepping up to share the role alongside veteran defender Duggan. Baker, a two-time Richmond premiership star, joined West Coast ahead of the 2025 season and quickly made his mark, standing out as one of the club's key performers during a challenging campaign that yielded only one win.
Hailing from Pingaring in Western Australia's Wheatbelt region, Baker has been praised for his immediate impact at the club. West Coast's head of football, John Worsfold, highlighted that Baker's elevation to co-captain is a well-deserved recognition of the leadership qualities he has demonstrated since his arrival.
"Since joining the club, Liam Baker has had an immediate impact with his training standards, his ability to connect with teammates and all staff, and his communication and passion to see the club achieve on-field success," Worsfold said. "It was no surprise he was seen as a worthy captain through the players leadership vote."
Strategic Leadership Approach for a Young Squad
Worsfold emphasised that the co-captaincy model remains the optimal strategy for guiding what is currently the youngest group in the AFL competition. He explained that this structure allows both players to effectively mentor their teammates while managing the extensive off-field responsibilities that come with captaincy, without compromising their individual preparation and on-field performance.
"Co-captaincy will allow both players to mentor their teammates in the most effective way and to also fulfill the off-field duties that captaincy demands, whilst still focusing on their individual preparation and performance," Worsfold elaborated. "They will complement each other's leadership styles to guide the team's commitment to achieving its shared ambition of doing what it takes to win our next premiership."
Duggan's Continued Leadership Role
For Liam Duggan, this appointment marks his third season serving as one of West Coast's captains. Worsfold noted that Duggan's retention in this pivotal role reflects the "enormous respect" he commands within the club. His consistent on-field leadership has been repeatedly acknowledged by teammates through feedback in leadership votes, and he remains deeply committed to the team's progress under coach Andrew McQualter in his second year at the helm.
Expanded Leadership Group for 2026
In addition to the new co-captains, the Eagles have confirmed an expanded leadership group for the 2026 season. Jake Waterman and Jack Graham, Baker's fellow premiership teammate from Richmond, have retained their positions within the group. They are joined by new additions including recruit Brandon Starcevich, Reuben Ginbey, and Matt Flynn, strengthening the club's leadership depth as they aim to bounce back from a difficult 2025 season.
This strategic leadership overhaul signals West Coast's determination to build a cohesive and driven unit capable of returning to premiership contention in the coming years.
