Eagle not sour at AFL captaincy snub

West Coast forward Josh Kennedy insists he isn’t upset at missing out on the club’s captaincy, saying he was even among the players who voted for new skipper Shannon Hurn.

Hurn beat Kennedy, Scott Selwood, Matt Priddis and Eric Mackenzie for the right to replace the retired Darren Glass as captain.

Kennedy will retain his role as vice-captain alongside Selwood, and the former Blue said he was stoked to see Hurn rewarded with the top job.

“It was great to see Bunga get it. I voted for him,” Kennedy said on Tuesday.

“He’s a terrific player and a terrific leader.

“His knowledge of the game is above a lot of us.

“He’s going to be a fantastic leader.”

West Coast’s pre-season campaign will take a break this Friday before the Christmas period.

One notable aspect of the team so far this summer has been the extra bulk put on by the club’s midfielders.

Kennedy said the extra muscle was a deliberate ploy to add more strength to the on-ball brigade.

“A few of the guys have come back a lot bigger and stronger, which has been fantastic,” Kennedy said.

“And a lot of boys have been able to hold the weight and run the same times as in previous years, which has been a positive.”

Kennedy kicked a career-best 61 goals last season, but only 11 came against top-eight sides.

The 27-year-old knows he needs to lift against the stronger sides if the Eagles are to break back into the finals for the first time since 2012.

“Consistency is one of the things I try to go for,” Kennedy said.

“It would be good to spread it out during the year instead of having one or two games where you go ok.

“That’s something I’ll keep working on and hopefully I’ll get better at.”

Kennedy spread some pre-Christmas cheer to some sick patients on Tuesday during a visit to Princess Margaret Hospital.

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!