To say Liam Duggan learnt a lot during his first season as co-captain would be some understatement.

Voted by his peers and coaches to lead the club alongside Oscar Allen in December, the humble Victorian rose to a role many had anointed for him the moment he was drafted via pick 11 in 2014.

Respected by teammates, coaches and staff alike, and a favourite with fans, Duggan was arguably as prepared as he could be to take on the huge responsibility after years in the leadership group.

That was fortunate, given his co-captain would miss three months of football and only return just before the club and premiership coach Adam Simpson parted company in July.

Seven matches remained under interim coach Jarrad Schofield and navigating that period was another huge learning curve for the first-time skippers.

“It was obviously really exciting to become a co-captain of the footy club and I enjoyed the new challenge and learning aspect of what being a leader was,” Duggan reflected.

“Once Oscar was missing through injury it wasn’t ideal but I think the great part about appointing co-captains was that if one of us was out of action the other one could pick up the slack.

“It was a rollercoaster ride for the year but I think in terms of learning about leadership and what that entails I don’t think there was a better year to get a look at the 360 degrees of leadership, so I did enjoy that aspect.”

Through it all, the fact Duggan could maintain his own high standards on and off the field speaks to his professionalism and experience.

Deployed between defence and midfield, the consummate left-footer played all-but two matches and earned his fourth top-five finish in the John Worsfold Medal from the past five seasons. 

“Some of the advice I got from leaders previous to me was that you don’t have to go over and above, it’s more just that you’re playing like yourself on the weekend and that’s the first way to lead,” Duggan said.

“I focused on that and I was fairly happy with my output – especially through the start and middle of the year when we played some good footy.

“It was exciting to be part of a few good wins which was great for the footy club.

“I had a couple of concussions towards the back end of the year but to round out the year with 21 games, a lot of learnings and a lot of fun along the way was a positive.

“I still had an enjoyable year and was quite happy with it.”

Never one to seek individual recognition, Duggan was the perfect recipient of another accolade bestowed upon him for the second time during the Club Champion dinner.

Three years after he last received the honour, Duggan was announced as the 2024 Chris Mainwaring medallist as Best Clubman.

Only Phil Scott (1988 and ’90) and Worsfold (1993 and ’98) had previously been recognised for their commitment to the club in multiple years.

“A massive honour and a shock to be honest, I really wasn’t expecting it,” Duggan said.

“For me, I love the footy club and give my all to it.

“To be recognised for that was really nice, but definitely not the reason I do it – I just can’t help myself.

“I love what the club is about, the boys and everyone involved in it. I love what it has given me as well.”

Casting forward, Duggan was optimistic about the new era about to unfold at the Eagles following a period of significant change on and off the field.

“It’s really exciting,” he said.

“I feel like we’ve had this one other time in my career where it has felt like a completely new book almost.

“That’s really exciting for me after 10 years to get a different look at some new coaching staff and plenty of new players, albeit I’ve got some great mates moving onto new homes as well.

“I’m excited by what it looks like and to learn a new system, learn about new people and create new friends.

“Our members and supporters should be really excited, too.”