West Coast coach Adam Simpson has labelled Shannon Hurn a “legacy player” who will be remembered forever at West Coast.

On the eve of Hurn becoming the first player in the Eagles 35-year history to break the 300 game barrier, Simpson also backed Hurn to go on next year, declaring his form as good as it has been over the last 10 years.

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“We haven’t actually had the conversation but it is all pointing in the right direction,” he said.

“He is a legacy player for us. He will be remembered forever at this club - a premiership captain.”

He said that Hurn and Josh Kennedy would both have a say in their futures.

“They are both in different situations but they haven’t let us down too often,” he said.

Simpson said he didn’t realise the quality of leader that Hurn was when he first arrived at the Eagles.

“It (Hurn being a contender for the captaincy) was a bit of a left field decision. When I got to the club I didn’t really understand and then you are there for 10 minutes and you understand why,” he said.

Hurn led the club from the start of the 2015 season until the end of the 2019 season, a period in which the Eagles played in two grand finals and won the 2018 flag.

“He just hasn’t let us down since then and even now he does it in his own way. I think his form has been as good as it has been for 10 years. Very consistent person and a very consistent player,” Simpson said.

“He is very passionate about his football. He is very passionate about his mates and his family. The things you like and you value in people. And it has been sustained. It is not false, there is no campaigning about being this or that. He does his thing and that is what he is so respected.”

“It is pretty obvious when you work with him.”

Asked what the quality was that he most valued in Hurn the player Simpson said: “He does the right thing at the right time. That is hard to teach. It takes a while to learn that. The game situation with the way he plays he just does the right thing at the right time.”

“That is what you crave as a coach.”