St Kilda’s longest serving skipper Nick Riewoldt says Jarryn Geary’s ascension from the rookie list to captaincy is a ‘great story’, with the champion forward adamant the time is perfect for Geary to assume the responsibility.
After more than a decade with Riewoldt at the helm, St Kilda begins a new era with Geary becoming just the 62nd player in the club's history to be bestowed the honour.
The Saints also announced on Tuesday night that a new-look eight-man leadership group includes Josh Bruce, Seb Ross and Dylan Roberton for the first time in their careers.
In a changing of the guard, Riewoldt lauded Geary’s dedication to his craft, his ability to wring every last drop out of his god given ability and his capacity to challenge his teammates.
“It’s a great story really. He’s come off a rookie list so he’s done it the absolute hard way. There’s no secret really with Gears the way he’s gone about it, it’s just been through sheer hard work,” Riewoldt told Triple M’s The Hot Breakfast on Wednesday.
“Firstly to establish himself as a player, get elevated (from the rookie list) and then be a really valued member of the team.
“Where he’s really improved the last couple of years, particularly with a young group, is his ability to challenge the other players in the team; the ability to set a really high standard every week.
"The time is absolutely right for him to take over the group – it’s really exciting.”
While Riewoldt and experienced leaders, Leigh Montagna and Sean Dempster, won’t hold an official leadership title in 2017, Riewoldt says the veteran trio will still provide adequate support and direction for Geary and the entire leadership group.
“I think that’s the really positive part of the situation, the fact that I’m still there, that Leigh Montagna’s still there and Sean Dempster to be able to mentor these young leaders; that’s part of our job that are still here playing,” he said.
“The reason that we advocated that leadership spot is not because we’re hoping those young guys are going to do a good job, it’s because they’re ready.
“I think it’s a good situation to be in rather than have a mass exodus when we are all to retire, we’re still there to support the guys at the same time.”
Stepping aside from the captaincy after 11 years in the role won’t alter the way Riewoldt changes his approach to leadership in his 17th season in the AFL.
“I’m certainly not going to change my leadership style; Monday to Friday I’m still going to be driving the group really, really hard and then on the weekend trying to perform at my best as a leader; nothing will change from that point of view,” he said.
