Former Richmond pair Liam Baker and Jack Graham have been elevated into West Coast’s leadership group on a day when star veteran Elliot Yeo went down with a knee injury.
Yeo has been sent for scans after appearing to injure his knee and/or ankle during the club’s match simulation training session on Friday.
The 31-year-old limped off the track after coming off second best in a tackling contest at Mineral Resources Park.
Yeo bounced back to top form in 2024 following four years of injury woes, and the Eagles will be hoping his latest setback isn’t serious.
Meanwhile, the Eagles confirmed on Friday that Oscar Allen and Liam Duggan will continue as co-captains for a second straight year.
Jeremy McGovern, who stepped down as vice-captain last season to focus on getting over his injury run, will return to the deputy role this year.
Last year’s vice-captain, Tom Barrass, was traded to Hawthorn at the end of 2024.
There are three new faces in West Coast’s six-man leadership group under new coach Andrew McQualter, with Graham and Baker included alongside forward Jake Waterman.
Waterman enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2024, kicking 53 goals from 20 games to snare his maiden All-Australian blazer.
Baker arrived at West Coast during last year’s trade period, while Graham joined the Eagles as an unrestricted free agent.
The pair won two flags each at Richmond.
“It’s a terrific sign of Jake’s growth for him to join the leadership group, and he has shown admirable resilience to reach this point in his career,” West Coast head of football John Worsfold said.
“Liam and Jack arrived at the club with strong leadership credentials, and they have already made an impact driving high standards among the playing group.”
Duggan and Allen were again endorsed as joint captains in a poll of the playing group, coaches and senior football department staff.
“It was clear after running a thorough process in line with our club values that Liam and Oscar were the standout leaders for our playing group in 2025,” Worsfold said.
“They formed an excellent working relationship during their first year as co-captains, and their leadership styles complemented each other.
“We’re looking forward to them continuing to lead the club into an exciting new era under senior coach Andrew McQualter.”
https://thewest.com.au/sport/afl/yeo-injured-west-coast-name-new-leadership-group-c-17495420
