Three “heart and soul” Eagles retiring together will leave a huge void but West Coast’s youth will always remember Shannon Hurn, Nic Naitanui and Luke Shuey as role models, coach Adam Simpson says.
The Eagles’ list is set to become significantly younger next season following the exit of the champion trio and a restocking of talent via the draft, as a new era beckons.
But there is one more match to celebrate their incredible careers, and the legacy Hurn, Shuey and Naitanui will leave will linger.
“They’re heart and soul players. There’s been a lot of positive talk about these guys, but it’s all real – what you see is what you get,” Simpson said.
“They’re all different but very similar with their values and the care they have for the club, their mates and their families.
“The combination with all that is they’re all very good players and that doesn’t happen very often.
“Great role models for our younger players and we’re going to miss them.”
Shuey and Hurn will return from injury for Saturday night’s farewell game against Adelaide in front of a packed house at Optus Stadium.
West Coast fans have flooded social media and turned up to open training on Tuesday at Mineral Resources Park to pay tribute to their heroes, who in turn have greatly appreciated the support.
“It’s been a pretty lengthy build up for those two guys. They’ve actually been pretty quiet (publicly this week), I think they’ve just enjoyed their mates, the footy club and the environment with the players,” Simpson said.
“Coming off a win as well there’s obviously a bit more positivity around the club with them. I think they’ve just stayed connected to the footy club.
“They really appreciate the fans. They turned out in droves (on Tuesday) so this round is as much for them as it is for the supporters as well.
“It’s to recognise what’s been a tough year, but our supporters have turned up, so it’s been a combination.”
Simpson declared star defender Jeremy McGovern would play after turning an ankle in the epic upset win over the Western Bulldogs.
The four-time All-Australian is set for a huge challenge against Taylor Walker, who bagged 10 goals last time the teams met in round 13 against a depleted Eagles backline.
The Crows head west following a controversial loss to Sydney due to a goal umpire error that eliminated them from finals contention, but Simpson is wary of the visitors’ firepower as they seek to spoil West Coast’s party.
“We played them last year with ‘JK’s’ (Josh Kennedy) last game and obviously they beat us, but after what they’ve been through I would suspect they’d have a point to prove, so we’re planning for them at their best,” Simpson said.
“What they do from a footy club point of view is they’re really good at clearances, contest and tackles, all the one percenters. It’s a pretty honest way of playing.
“I suspect it’s going to be on, it’s going to be a real challenge.”
