Collingwood have added high-flying defender Jeremy Howe to their leadership group in an unusual mid-season announcement.
Howe has become one of three Magpie vice-captains at the club, alongside Taylor Adams and Steele Sidebottom, with Scott Pendlebury in his fourth season as captain.
The 27-year-old has been enjoyed a career-year at Collingwood so far, and has cemented his spot in the backline and is among All-Australian contention.
Howe said his leadership is something he's continuously worked on recently, and is proud to have been elevated to become a vice-captain.
“I think my leadership is something that I have worked on and has grown over the years,” Howe told collingwoodfc.com.au on Thursday.
“This year has been the most consistent year I’ve had trying to lead by example, and with my footy as well.”
Howe is averaging career-highs in disposals (21.8 per game), marks (8.8) and rebound 50s (4.4).
Howe believes he won't change his on-field actions for the rest of the season, and will continue to play the same way.
“I’ll try and lead by example, play the best footy I can and help others out when I can as well,” Howe said.
“I’m not going to change the way I go about it and all of a sudden start telling blokes what they’ve got to do. That’s not me.”