News Liam Baker and Liam Duggan named co-captains in 2026

[HoneyBadger35]

Liam Duggan

14

Liam Duggan

Age

29

Ht

186cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.4

4star

K

10.1

4star

HB

5.3

4star

M

4.4

4star

T

2.1

4star

MG

283.7

4star

D

16.0

4star

K

12.0

5star

HB

4.0

3star

M

5.7

5star

T

1.1

2star

MG

283.7

4star

D

13.2

4star

K

7.8

3star

HB

5.4

4star

M

4.0

4star

T

1.2

3star

and Liam Baker

3

Liam Baker

Age

28

Ht

173cm

Wt

72kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.7

4star

K

7.8

3star

HB

7.9

5star

M

3.2

3star

T

2.6

4star

CL

0.7

3star

D

14.6

4star

K

6.8

3star

HB

7.9

4star

M

3.8

4star

T

1.8

3star

CL

0.5

3star

D

14.4

4star

K

6.2

3star

HB

8.2

5star

M

1.6

2star

T

1.8

4star

CL

1.2

4star

will lead the West Coast Eagles as co-captains for the 2026 AFL season.

Following a vote by the playing squad, Duggan and Baker’s co-captaincy was endorsed by the Football Department leadership and ratified by the Board this week.

Jake Waterman

2

Jake Waterman

Age

27

Ht

192cm

Wt

92kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.3

3star

K

7.9

3star

HB

3.4

3star

M

5.2

5star

T

1.2

3star

G

1.0

4star

D

9.8

2star

K

7.8

3star

HB

2.0

1star

M

5.8

5star

T

0.3

1star

G

1.5

5star

D

12.2

3star

K

7.6

3star

HB

4.6

4star

M

4.6

5star

T

1.6

4star

G

0.8

4star

and Jack Graham

17

Jack Graham

Age

28

Ht

181cm

Wt

85kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.7

4star

K

8.0

3star

HB

6.8

4star

M

2.1

2star

T

6.3

5star

CL

1.8

4star

D

11.8

3star

K

5.3

2star

HB

6.5

4star

M

2.8

3star

T

4.2

5star

CL

1.2

4star

D

14.0

4star

K

6.0

3star

HB

8.0

5star

M

1.8

2star

T

7.0

5star

CL

3.2

5star

will continue as leaders after joining the group last year, with Reuben Ginbey, Matt Flynn and recruit Brandon Starcevich

4

Brandon Starcevich

Age

26

Ht

188cm

Wt

90kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.2

2star

K

6.5

3star

HB

2.6

2star

M

2.8

3star

T

2.0

4star

MG

185.3

3star

D

9.5

2star

K

7.3

3star

HB

2.3

2star

M

3.6

4star

T

2.1

3star

MG

187.9

3star

D

8.6

3star

K

5.4

2star

HB

3.2

3star

M

1.4

2star

T

1.8

4star

MG

181.2

3star

included for the upcoming season.

Co captains and Matt Flynn in the leadership group. Fire up campaigners.

 

[Bleedblueandgold]

I would never think I'd say this, but I would not be upset at all to retain Duggan as a co-captain with either Jake Waterman or Liam Baker. Duggan bleeds blue and gold and is a real leader. He may start on the bench for most of the season, but the young squad needs good leadership from passionate players who will give their all.

I'd like to see only 1 captain. Baker with Duggan & Waterman as VC. Starcevich, Ginbey & Hough in the leadership group to round it out perhaps.

 

[THE A5]

Don’t rate wither Duggan or Baker as sole captains but I think they’ll pair well as co-captains. Baker leads by actions and is a lil badger but comes a cross quite laid back and as a bit of a larrikin. Duggan’s your more captain, mature, speaks well and intelligent. Unfortunately he’s footy just ain’t good enough to be a sole leader.

 

[Altum Volantes]

Happy to see Duggan retained - which was always very likely, despite outside noise.

Never a fan of Co-Captains but if nothing else, I think we can all agree Baker is an upgrade on Oscar Allen

4

Oscar Allen

Age

27

Ht

196cm

Wt

96kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.8

2star

K

6.6

3star

HB

3.2

3star

M

3.8

4star

T

2.4

4star

G

1.1

4star

No current season stats available

D

8.6

3star

K

5.8

3star

HB

2.8

3star

M

3.8

4star

T

2.0

4star

G

1.2

4star

, in more ways than one.

 

[WCErevival]

Baker is the on ground leader.
Duggan is the corporate off field leader.

Go the mighty Baggan.

 

[Byron_Clanger]

The only way Duggan was gonna lose the captaincy is if he relinquished it. He'll be 30 next December so maybe this time next year he'll pull the 'I want to focus on my own game' card and we'll have Baker solo'ing it from then on.

A good group of names in the Vice/leadership roles. Perplexes me even more that certain people on this board want Harley as captain as soon as next season..the kid can barely keep his own standards up and people want him setting an example for 40 other blokes.

 

[ioppolo]

Matt Flynn must have one hell of a mentor game. He'll be in the assistant ranks at AFL level post career very quickly.

 

[bzparkes]

The only way Duggan was gonna lose the captaincy is if he relinquished it. He'll be 30 next December so maybe this time next year he'll pull the 'I want to focus on my own game' card and we'll have Baker solo'ing it from then on.

A good group of names in the Vice/leadership roles. Perplexes me even more that certain people on this board want Harley as captain as soon as next season..the kid can barely keep his own standards up and people want him setting an example for 40 other blokes.

Personally I think Harley will be the next long term captain but I don't want him anywhere near it until he commits to a long term contract in 3 years.

I do note a few took my comment and ran with him being the captain now, which is far too early.

 

[FKASC]

I do note a few took my comment and ran with him being the captain now, which is far too early.

Can’t believe people are writing off Harley already

 

[FatPizza]

Fine with this.

 

[RustyShacklefordFalcon]

Ginbeast in the leadership group is nice. Leading the yoof from the front

 

[Bender_]

Co-captains? More like Cuck-captains!

Am I right? SpaceClef don't leave me hanging.

 

[Avalor]

The only way Duggan was gonna lose the captaincy is if he relinquished it. He'll be 30 next December so maybe this time next year he'll pull the 'I want to focus on my own game' card and we'll have Baker solo'ing it from then on.

A good group of names in the Vice/leadership roles. Perplexes me even more that certain people on this board want Harley as captain as soon as next season..the kid can barely keep his own standards up and people want him setting an example for 40 other blokes.

TBH, surprized to see Flynn there.

 

[Altum Volantes]

He must Obi Wan Kenobi levels of Mentorship to offset being a complete log of a ruckman.

 

[Ochre]

Average player who gives everything on the track/prepares the right way seems a good choice as leader for a young group? Surprised at the handwringing tbh.

 

[bzparkes]

He must Obi Wan Kenobi levels of Mentorship to offset being a complete log of a ruckman.

I've heard a couple of the players mention Flynn in recent interviews(pretty sure McCarthy did in his presser, without not being lazy and going back to check...).

 

[Bender_]

Surprised at the handwringing tbh.

Is there actually any of this though?

 

[oak79]

Never liked co-captains, but this is OK as stop gap until a young star steps up in the next couple of years.

 

[Mighty Eagles]

I think this has been expected for the better part of the past six months or so

 

[Doashuey]

Average player who gives everything on the track/prepares the right way seems a good choice as leader for a young group? Surprised at the handwringing tbh.

Welcome newbie.

 

[TY24]

Matt Flynn must have one hell of a mentor game. He'll be in the assistant ranks at AFL level post career very quickly.

A mate of mine works in the WAFL program and reckons Flynn is one of the best blokes at the club, I'm not surprised he's in the LG based on how highly he speaks of him.

 

[Ochre]

Is there actually any of this though?

Yes, don't ever question me again

 

[Astro7]

Quite predictable, yet solid choices really. Least of my concerns going forward.

 

[Deplorable trumpster]

It's fine for this season.

But if they allow Duggan to keep co - Captaining from next year onwards then they are making a rod for their own back. Because i don't know if he will be best 22 in 2027 and he very likely won't be in 2028. It is going to be full of drama of we put ourselves in the situation in 2027/28 of having to drop a co - Captain.

 

[eaglespremiers]

It's fine for this season.

But if they allow Duggan to keep co - Captaining from next year onwards then they are making a rod for their own back. Because i don't know if he will be best 22 in 2027 and he very likely won't be in 2028. It is going to be full of drama of we put ourselves in the situation in 2027/28 of having to drop a co - Captain.

Shouldn't be best 23 in 2026 TBH.