St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt believes the time is not only right for Jarryn Geary to take over the captaincy reins, but for the leadership transition that has taken place ahead of the 2017 season.
Riewoldt, the Saints’ longest serving skipper, Leigh Montagna and Sean Dempster removed themselves from the leadership group ballot, helping pave the way for Josh Bruce, Seb Ross and Dylan Roberton to be included in the group for the first time.
On the eve of his 17th season at the highest level, Riewoldt said all three inclusions are ready for the added leadership responsibility and will benefit immensely from being put in the role now.
“If we’re going to go anywhere as a group we need it to come from the younger players," Riewoldt told saints.com.au.
"I think that’s the obvious reason for the transition – with 'Joey', Sean and myself stepping side – to fast track that growth and that development.
“To have three guys stepping into the group is really exciting. Leadership will be forced on them a little bit more and they’re already showing signs last year and this pre-season that they are well and truly ready to take over the direction of the club.
“I think we can see it in the way they are carrying themselves that they are ready.
“It’s not a decision where we’re hoping they’ll step up, they’ve already made that transition, it was absolutely time.”
Riewoldt described Geary as a leader who sets a brilliant example for the rest of the playing list to follow through his application to his work, his commitment to the cause and his ability to execute his role on a weekly basis.
“As a player, first and foremost, he plays his role really strongly every week; he gives great effort,” Riewoldt said.
“As a leader, when you talk about leading by example, that’s what that looks like; it’s playing a role and having unwavering effort, which is something that ‘Gears’ ticks off because he prepares so well.
“And that’s the other side of it to ensure Monday to Friday you’re setting a really strong Saints man example. ‘Gears’ does that really well and is able to challenge and hold the rest of the team accountable. He’s a really complete leader.”
With St Kilda’s two most recent captains drafted at almost complete opposite ends of the spectrum – Riewoldt at pick No. 1, Geary with the sixth last pick in the Rookie Draft – the outgoing skipper labelled Geary’s rise as a lesson in hard work and desire.
“It’s a great story coming off a rookie list, to be now captain of the football club,” he said.
“There’s no secret, he’s just gone about it by working hard and that’s how you get any result, particularly in professional sport, putting your head down, earning the respect of the group and maintaining consistency within that; it’s a great story.”
