FOR THE FIRST time since 2016, Melbourne will have a sole captain this season, with Max Gawn set to take the reins of the club.

After a formal voting process from players and coaches, the club decided to announce the ruckman as skipper on Monday afternoon, supported by vice-captain Jack Viney.

Gawn, who has played 120 games since being drafted to the club in 2009, has earned the opportunity to lead his side this season, taking a step up from his role last year.

“Max has developed as a leader, particularly over the past three seasons, with his training and playing standards going to another level in recent years and we are pleased to announce him as captain,” GM of Football Josh Mahoney told Melbourne Media.

“We are in the very fortunate position to have two standout leaders at the football club in Max Gawn and Jack Viney, who were voted on unanimously by both players and staff.

“Jack is a natural leader in his own right and has been appointed as vice-captain. He will give his all for the club with his passion and determination, and be a great support for Max.

Viney had been a co-captain of the club alongside Nathan Jones since 2017, with Jones stepping down from the role in September last year.

The Dees will now have a new leadership structure – one which Mahoney says will provide a good opportunity for a range of players on the list.

“This year we have limited our formal leadership titles to just captain and vice-captain,” he said.

“We will not be appointing a formal leadership group. We see our growth coming from the increased leadership of all players who will take on a shared leadership responsibility.”