Brad Green was today announced as the 41st captain of the Melbourne Football Club in front of the playing group, staff and directors at AAMI Park.
Green replaces James McDonald as skipper for 2011, with Aaron Davey, Brent Moloney and Jared Rivers named as his vice captains.
The 2010 Best and Fairest winner, who has played 220 games since a stunning debut season in 2000, said the privilege of leading the Club was one that was very special to him.
“It’s certainly a great honour and an exciting challenge to lead this group in 2011. It’s a privilege that I will cherish to be captain of such a proud history at the Melbourne Football Club.
“This club has come a long way since I walked into Junction Oval on my first day at the Club back in 2000, and that’s reflective of where we are as a team. We have come a long way, but I’m excited about where we are going.
“We have a great young playing group - but talent doesn’t equal success. Hard work and dedication equals success and that’s what we will to continue to strive for to improve in 2011.”
Senior coach Dean Bailey said the captaincy was a testament to Green's professional attitude and dedication to the team.
“Over a long period of time, Brad has been a strong, consistent performer for this club.
“He is a bloke who kept getting knocked down but gets straight back up. He brings a very professional attitude with everything he does. He leads by example and does an enormous amount for this footy club, and we look forward to Brad leading the Club in 2011 and beyond.”
Dean also paid tribute to the three vice captains who, in their own right, deserve due recognition for their leadership skills and ‘whatever it takes’ attitude.
“It’s also great to have Aaron Davey, Brent Moloney and Jared Rivers as the Club’s vice captains.
“They really complement each other well, and having a vice-captain in charge of each of the back line, midfield and forward line will be beneficial to the team cause.”
The captaincy process began in December when the players elected their Leadership Group of Green, Davey, Moloney, Rivers, Nathan Jones and Jack Grimes.
Following that, the coaches, senior management and directors - along with input from the players - came to the collective decision that Green was the right man to lead the Club.
2011 Leadership Group
Captain
Brad Green (29 years old, 220 games)
Vice Captains
Aaron Davey (27, 139)
Brent Moloney (27, 108)
Jared Rivers (26, 108)
Other Leadership Group Players
Nathan Jones (23, 92)
Jack Grimes (21, 26)
