CAPTAIN IN WAITING: Beau Waters is seen as the next West Coast skipper should Darren Glass stand aside. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun
WEST Coast will delay making a decision on its captain for 2013 until at least next month, and could begin the NAB Cup without having appointed a skipper for the new season.
Darren Glass has led the side for the past five seasons, after taking over following the bombshell resignation of Chris Judd in 2007.
Glass, 31, enjoyed a stellar campaign to win his fourth All-Australian guernsey last year and was named captain of the All-Australian team in one of the greatest individual honours of his career.
The key defender is showing no signs of slowing down as he powers through his 14th AFL pre-season; however, has indicated he is open to handing over the captaincy to a younger player before he retires.
Fearless defender Beau Waters was installed as sole vice-captain two years ago and has been groomed to take over as skipper.
But question marks remain over Waters' durability after another injury setback last month.
The 26-year-old South Australian has recovered from a serious foot injury, suffered in the elimination final mauling of North Melbourne four months ago, but needed hip surgery before Christmas and is in a race against time to be ready for the new season.
Waters, named All-Australian after an excellent season last year, has played just 113 of a possible 164 matches for the Eagles since making his debut in 2004 because of a cursed run with injury.
West Coast football operations manager Neale Daniher said Waters' injury troubles would not count against his chances of becoming captain.
"We know he won't necessarily always play every home-and-away game, but we're confident he'll play the majority of them and play them very well," Daniher said.
"Beau is very professional in his preparation.
"He plays the game as hard as anyone in the league, and his injuries are well documented, but we were rapt with the way he played last year.
"He played a lot of games of football last year and we're confident he'll be ready to go in Round 1."
Youngster Scott Selwood, whose leadership ability is highly regarded, is the wildcard for the captaincy.
Selwood is only 22, the same age as John Worsfold when he became captain and has been in the leadership group for the past two seasons. He took his game to a new level last year to win the club champion award.
Following the Eagles' semi-final exit to Collingwood at the MCG last September, coach John Worsfold said Glass could play a valuable leadership role, even if he was not the skipper.
"He's an outstanding leader and outstanding captain," Worsfold said.
"If he wasn't actually named captain, it wouldn't mean that his leadership would drop away.
"He would still offer fantastic leadership around our club and possibly in an even stronger role supporting a developing captain."
The Eagles have only had dual captains once in their history.
Veteran Dean Kemp and rising star Ben Cousins shared the job under Ken Judge in 2001.
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