Highly regarded St Kilda leader Jarryn Geary believes the candidates for the next captaincy must use this year to absorb as much wisdom as they can from current skipper Nick Riewoldt.

Riewoldt was unveiled as St Kilda’s captain for the eleventh season on Tuesday, fronting an eight-man leadership group that includes Geary and Jack Steven who was the only addition to last year’s group.

Geary revealed that during the leadership process the focus turned to Riewoldt’s successor and ensuring that whoever that may be is as prepared as possible to take the baton.

“Part of the conversation with the leadership group was that it was probably time for the rest of the blokes who want to be the next captain of the football club to really be aspiring to be that,” Geary told Melbourne radio station SEN.

“I’m not necessarily saying I harbour ambitions, but I think what’s important is that the next captain gives himself the best opportunity to be a really good captain.

“So however long Nick’s around, and Joey’s around and Sean Dempster’s around, we really need to get around them and suck as much knowledge out of them as we can before they move on.

“And when the next captain, whoever it may be, is ready to take the load from Nick which will be pretty big shoes to fill, they’re ready to roll.

“It’s really important over the next 12 months that we have two or three blokes that are there to help and support whoever the (next) captain may be.”

For Geary, leadership starts with your own work. Before you can be demanding of others and enforcing team principles, the 27-year-old says you must ensure you’re performing your duty first.

“First and foremost you’ve got to have your own backyard clean and performing your own role each week. If you can do that then you can start challenging others and making sure they’re doing the same thing,” Geary said.

The Saints leadership group has an even blend of experience and youth, with young midfielders Jack Newnes and Maverick Weller helping to balance out a group that consists of three players over 32 – Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna and Sean Dempster.

“I think our leadership group’s a really good one because we’ve got a good mix of young guys who are starting to make their way and experienced guys who have played in Grand Finals, as well as some guys who are introverts and some who are extroverts,” Geary said.

“We balance each other out pretty well and find ways to challenge each other and pull each other up at times when we need to too.”