Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says that All-Australian defender Easton Wood is looking forward to captaining the side for the first time on Saturday night against the Brisbane Lions.
Wood was voted in as vice-captain by his teammates prior to the season and will step into the top job following the injury to Bob Murphy in round three against Hawthorn.
Veteran defender Dale Morris tossed the coin against Carlton on Saturday night as Wood recovered from a hamstring injury.
Speaking to media Friday morning, Beveridge said that Wood is an ‘outstanding individual’, who will lead the team in his own way.
“He’s a proud young fella and for him it’s a really important night for him and feather in his cap," he said.
“He’s come a long way, he’s worked hard and he’s really looking forward to the challenge of leading the boys out on Saturday night.
Beveridge said that the while playing group took some time to get used to the fact that Murphy would be missing for the season, the 26-year-old Wood was ready to assume the mantle.
“I think initially [he] needed to process the fact that the Bob wouldn’t be leading us out for the rest of the year and then the realisation that ‘ok, I’m next in line’, hit him.
“I had a chat to him last week, although he wasn’t going to play, [and] he was ready to embrace it. “
