One of the attributes coach Adam Simpson was looking for when scanning the West Coast list for the club’s next captain was a man who played well and led from the front.

After long-time skipper Darren Glass stepped down mid-season last year, Simpson rotated the leadership between Josh Kennedy, Matt Priddis, Eric Mackenzie and Shannon Hurn. And when each of them took their turn at the helm they tended to respond with a best on ground effort.

After contemplating the decision on who would assume that vital on-field mantle in 2015, Simpson and others involved in the selection process – including the players – nominated Hurn as their man.

And when the club needed their skipper to lead from the front, in the club’s biggest game for several years, he stepped forward and assumed the responsibility.

Hurn was simply outstanding, imposed himself on the game from the outset, and sustained that effort across the game.

Part of a unique and efficient defensive structure, which works so fluently for each other, Hurn had 26 possessions and seven marks on a night when the Eagles made a statement.

Importantly, of those 26 touches, 19 were kicks. There is no more damaging distributor by foot in the game and most of Hurn’s possessions resulted in meaningful attacking moves and did so much to propel his team into the preliminary final.