JACK Viney says he’s honoured to be named a member of Melbourne’s leadership group for 2016.
Viney said the new-look six-man group, which also includes Nathan Jones (captain), Colin Garland, Max Gawn, Tom McDonald and Bernie Vince, is a good cross-section of “players and personalities”.
“It’s really exciting to be recognised by the players and other coaches to be one of the main leaders in the playing group,” he told Dee TV.
“It’s a great achievement and I’m fairly proud.”
“I really like how it’s set up and the players who are involved in it.”
Viney said the club would keep developing the players as leaders.
“They’re not just [saying] ‘you’re in the leadership group, so good luck with it all’.”
“They’re here to develop us as leaders and give us mentors, so I’m really looking forward to being part of that program and developing it even further.”
The 21-year-old has also achieved a similar leadership achievement to what his father Todd did at the same age, when the Melbourne great was appointed deputy vice-captain in 1988.
Jack said he was delighted to continue in his dad’s footsteps.
“It’s something I’m very proud of – my family history at the club,” he said.
“I think my old man got a bit carried away after his second year.
“He got a bit complacent, so I’ll be making sure I don’t do the same thing.”
Viney said there was no burden at all carrying the family name.
“There is certainly no pressure for me to live up to what my Dad had achieved at the football club,” he said.
“I’m extremely proud of what my Dad has done with – and at – the football club and I’m very honoured to have Viney as my last name.
“I certainly feel no pressure on what I need to achieve or what needs to be done. I’m doing things to the best of my ability and that’s all I’m really focused on. I’m content in doing that and I don’t have any external pressures.”
As for what type of leader Viney wants to be?
He was adamant he wants to be a “game day performer”.
“I want to lead by my actions on game day and that’s my number one focus and what I think’s extremely important,” he said.
“The most important thing to be a leader is your performance and leading [on] game day.
“That will be my main focus as a leader and something I’ll try and work on throughout the year.”
