SHANNON Hurn has retained West Coast's captaincy for a fourth season, ending speculation of a handover to Luke Shuey.

Star midfielder Shuey has been mooted as the skipper-in-waiting but will remain Hurn's deputy in 2018, along with co-vice captain Josh Kennedy. 

The rest of the Eagles' leadership group is yet to be decided.

West Coast's players strongly-endorsed Hurn to remain at the helm, with the decision backed by the senior football department and ratified by the board. 

"It’s a great honour to again lead this group," Hurn said.

"This is a vastly different squad to the one that represented the club last year, but it’s really exciting. 

"We have transitioned into a new era and all of the senior players look forward to playing their role and leading the group. 

"I enjoy the captaincy and it is a great privilege to lead the club. With JK, Boots and the other members of the senior leadership group, we have important roles to play and it’s something we all enjoy.

"We have had a good pre-season to this stage and as we edge closer to playing games it starts to get more exciting.

"We are all looking forward to the 2018 campaign, playing at our new home in a new uniform in front of even more of our fans." 

Hurn led the Eagles to a surprise Grand Final appearance in 2015 during his first season as skipper, after taking on the role full-time following Darren Glass' retirement during the 2014 campaign. 

An unflappable defender with a booming kick, Hurn's reliability in defence saw him finish fourth in last year's John Worsfold Medal count. 

Heading into 2018, the 223-game veteran has a crucial role guiding the Eagles through their list transition. 

"Shannon has great respect right across the club and that was demonstrated through this process," general manager football Craig Vozzo said. 

"He leads by example and enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career in 2017. He has an important role in a squad that is in transition and has really embraced that responsibility during the pre-season. 

"There has been a significant amount of change within the squad over the last couple of years and we are fortunate to have such a terrific group of senior leaders in Shannon, Josh and Luke to provide guidance and direction to their teammates." 

West Coast had seven leaders last season, but that group will change after Matt Priddis and Sam Mitchell's retirements. 

All Australian duo Jeremy McGovern and Andrew Gaff were added to the group last year.