St Kilda defender Jarryn Geary has been named as the club's new captain.
The ex-rookie takes over the role from club legend Nick Riewoldt, who decided to step down last season. Riewoldt had been captain for ten consecutive seasons.
Geary said he was honoured to lead the club.
“I’m obviously very humbled and honoured to be named captain. It’s a great football club, St Kilda, and there haven’t been a lot of captains – I think I’m the 62nd captain of the club,” Geary told saints.com.au.
“There’s been a lot more players come through the door so I’m obviously very honoured to be chosen to be captain.”
Geary will be joined in the leadership group by Dylan Roberton, Josh Bruce, Seb Ross, Mav Weller, Jack Newnes, Jack Steven and David Armitage. Geary said they are well poised to drive the team to success.
“I think I’ll be the kind of leader that leads by actions, like everyone wants to,” Geary said.
“We’re in a really good position where we’ve got a really good group of leaders now that are going to really drive the club with their actions first.
“We’ve got some values that we hold really close to our chest. Hopefully we can deliver on them each week and the boys can get in behind them and do the same.”
There has been a changing of the guard at the Saints, with veterans Nick Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna and Sean Dempster stepping away from their duties in the leadership group. Geary said they will continue to provide support to the new group of leaders.
“They stood up in front of the group and basically said ‘we’re stepping away because you guys are ready to drive this club forward in the next stage of our journey’,” Geary said,
“But they are going to be really good to have them there in case we need them to fall back on and use them in whatever capacity we need. They are a great resource for us boys.”
Career:
141 games
2016 Trevor Barker Award Runner-Up
2016 Lenny Hayes Trademark Award
2015 Best Clubman
Pick No. 58 in the 2007 Rookie Draft