NATHAN Jones says he can’t wait to lead the club for a second season – although he will be Melbourne’s sole captain in 2015.

Jones, who shared the captaincy duties with Jack Grimes in 2014, said he was happy to lead the side in a co-captaincy situation or by himself this year. 

“I’m really excited. I’m looking forward to facing my second year as captain, whether that was with another captain or not,” he told Dee TV.  

“I’m pretty excited by the opportunity to lead the club forward for a second year.

“I’m just really excited by the leadership group we’ve appointed. I’m really confident in the direction the club’s heading.”

Melbourne has named defender Lynden Dunn as vice-captain, with Grimes, Daniel Cross, Chris Dawes and new Demon Heritier Lumumba as members of its leadership group.

Jones said there was a good balance of long-serving Demons and recent players recruited to the club with AFL experience that made up the leadership group.

He said the likes of Cross, Dawes and Lumumba “brought a different dynamic” to the leadership group.

Jones said it was “a huge credit” to defender Lynden Dunn to be appointed vice-captain.

“He had a terrific season last year and his leadership has come on in leaps and bounds over the last couple of years in particular,” he said.

“He really leads the way and I’m really excited to have him right behind me.

“I know I’ve got his full support and he’s got mine.”

The three-time Melbourne best and fairest winner said Lumumba had already become “a good mate”.

“Players really respect his opinions and really listen to what he has to say,” he said.

“He couldn’t have gone about his business any better.

“We’re really excited to have him here and he’s fitted in so well. He’s in great nick.”

Jones said Grimes had continued to give great support as a leader, despite relinquishing the position last December. 

“Grimesy and I are great mates. He had my full support either way. We supported each other really well and I thought we worked really well together,” he said.

“But I can totally understand the decision that he made … it was almost like the weight of the world was lifted off his shoulders – he’s had such a terrific pre-season.

“He couldn’t be better prepared for a strong season.”