Western Magpies Senior Coach Brydan Morgan recently announced the Pies Leadership Group for the 2018 season with 2017 skipper Drew Mitchell again named as captain for his second year in the role.

New Vice-Captains are David Lewis and Anthony Corrie.

The remainder of the Leadership Group includes Ben Jaenke-Cain, Harry Marshall, Ryan Harwood and Brenton Saunders.

Midfielder Mitchell led from the front last year to be joint winner of the Bill Peirce Medal. It was a tough year for the Pies on the injury front and Mitchell did all in his power to lift the side in the latter half of 2017. That he was able to tie in the Bill Peirce Medal after himself succumbing to injury to miss a few late season matches with was testament to his efforts throughout the season.

David Lewis is elevated to the Vice Captain role after starring across half back in early 2017 before injuring his knee and missing the rest of the season. His pre-season form indicates he should pick up where he left off as a vital cog in the Magpies lineup, and now a key member of the leadership group as the defensive general.

Corrie rejoins the club after a player/coach stint at Kenmore and his experience as an ex-AFL player and Western Magpies Premiership player will be invaluable. Corrie will also have a mentoring role with the Pies young players and play a strong leadership role through the forward-line in particular. After a strong pre-season, where the veteran barely missed a session, he is up and about for the season ahead.

Ben Jaenke-Cain forms a key partnership in the midfield with Captain Drew Mitchell, and sets an example with his tireless workrate. "Mr Perpetual Motion" and the 2014 Bill Peirce Medal Winner rarely plays a bad game, and is a strong example of consistency of effort to his teammates.

2012 Premiership Player Brenton Saunders returns to the club permanently in 2018 after intermittent games for the Pies in recent years while NEAFL listed with Redland, including some absolute standout performances in 2017. Adding another layer of leadership and experience, Saunders will be an important member of the new look group in 2018.

Harry Marshall joined the Pies from UQ in 2017 and immediately established himself as a vital player in the Magpies lineup. A hunger for knowledge and a keen desire to learn and improve is the perfect example to set for teammates, and Marshall is the epitome of a player who is willing to listen and learn at every opportunity.

Finally, Ryan Harwood has quickly established himself as a leader at the club, and will impart a great deal of knowledge about how to prepare correctly for matches and has helped lift the intensity of training. Along with the other members of the leadership group, this extra layer of experience and resolve will enable the Pies to be well prepared to tough it out in the tight matches, many of which slipped away in 2017.