St Kilda Captain Nick Riewoldt has revealed he spent a lot of time pondering the captaincy role whilst he was away in America in the last few months of last year, before putting his hand up to lead the Saints for an eleventh season in 2016.

The 33-year-old champion key forward will play his 300th game in red, white and black in Round 2, a week after he becomes the first captain in the Saints’ history to captain the club on 200 occasions.

Following a difficult year personally in 2015, Riewoldt says he waited until after he returned to the club in January to determine whether he still had the required level of drive and the ability to lead the club this season.

And then following an in-depth discussion with the key pillars at the football club, the six-time Trevor Barker Award winner, once again did what was in the best interests of St Kilda Football Club.

“It’s something I gave a lot of thought whilst I was away. And coming back, the first few weeks back at training, how I felt and how passionate I was, and what sort of condition I’m in, how I feel I was going to go in being able to contribute to the team. All those factors come in to the decision,” Riewoldt told reporters at the Palais Theatre on Tuesday.

“But at the end of the day it’s really just about what’s best for the football club. And if the footy club thought it was best for someone else to be in the role then I would have stepped aside.

“As soon as I reaffirmed that I still had a passion for the role and would do what was best for the football club, then the talk moved on to what actually is best and ‘Richo’s’ philosophy on leadership is he wants the best leaders to keep leading.

“The players and the leadership group wanted me to stay in the role – the club wanted me to stay in the role – so I wasn’t prepared to abdicate responsibility.

“It’s a position I’ve got a lot of respect for, and I know a lot of responsibility comes with it, and I’m still as passionate as ever about my footy and leading this group back up the ladder and aiding in that transition.”

Reigning club champion Jack Steven was the only addition to last year’s leadership group, with the game breaking midfielder joining Riewoldt, Sean Dempster, Leigh Montagna, David Armitage, Jarryn Geary, Jack Newnes and Maverick Weller.