MELBOURNE has added Jack Grimes and Nathan Jones to its leadership group for 2011, the club announced on Friday.
The duo joins existing 2010 leadership group members Brad Green, Aaron Davey, Brent Moloney and Jared Rivers.
It means Melbourne’s 2011 captain will be chosen from this six-man group.
Grimes said he was rapt to be inducted into the leadership group.
“You never really know what the rest of the playing group thinks of you, so it’s good to be seen that way by the rest of the playing group,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“I hoped other people would see me as a leader … so to see that many votes off the playing group tells me that I must be going about things the right way and the peers see me that way.
“It meant a lot to me, because you always evaluate how you’re going yourself, but you never really know what other people are thinking, so it was really good to get that feedback.”
The 21-year-old said his youthfulness can add another dimension to the leadership group.
“You hope you can work closely with a lot of the younger guys, because a few years ago, I was in their position as well,” Grimes said.
“Hopefully I can work pretty closely with them and help them get the best out of themselves - that’s the main thing I can bring to the group; really helping the young guys come through.
Grimes has played just 26 matches, but looms as one of Melbourne’s most important players long-term.
He made his debut in the final round of the 2008 season, but his past two years have been interrupted by injury.
Still, the form Grimes displayed in 2010, before a hamstring injury halted his season, showed exactly why he has been elevated into the leadership group. He displayed composed and classy football, with his performances across half-back/midfield most impressive.
Jones is one of Melbourne’s most tenacious and passionate players.
He is a hard-working and durable midfielder, having played 92 matches since debuting in round 18, 2006. The 22-year-old has missed just four games since his first match.
Jones concurred with Grimes, saying he was stoked to find out he was part of the 2011 leadership group.
“I was pretty happy when I found out. I’ve put a bit of work into it over the past couple of years,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“I’ve really tried to build some good relationships and set the right example, so it was a bit of a reward for hard work.
“Now there is a little bit more expectation placed on me.”
Jones said he was looking forward to the challenge of being part of the leadership group.
“Everyone wants to be part of the core leadership group and now I get to have more of a say and some control over where the club is heading,” he said.
“I’m just really confident with the group that we’ve got - we can get some sustained success.
“I wouldn’t want to be in any other position really.”
Jones believes his preparation, professionalism and ability to set the right example were the reasons behind his promotion.
“I had some deficiencies when I first came to the club and I had some personal areas I needed to develop,” he said.
“So I’ve really worked on relationships with the players and how to best serve my knowledge and how to get them up to a good level.
“Taking the younger players under my wing is something I’ve also worked on. Giving and receiving feedback is another thing too.”
The new Melbourne captain will replace James McDonald, who departed at the end of the 2010, after an outstanding career and two fine seasons as skipper.
The duo joins existing 2010 leadership group members Brad Green, Aaron Davey, Brent Moloney and Jared Rivers.
It means Melbourne’s 2011 captain will be chosen from this six-man group.
Grimes said he was rapt to be inducted into the leadership group.
“You never really know what the rest of the playing group thinks of you, so it’s good to be seen that way by the rest of the playing group,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“I hoped other people would see me as a leader … so to see that many votes off the playing group tells me that I must be going about things the right way and the peers see me that way.
“It meant a lot to me, because you always evaluate how you’re going yourself, but you never really know what other people are thinking, so it was really good to get that feedback.”
The 21-year-old said his youthfulness can add another dimension to the leadership group.
“You hope you can work closely with a lot of the younger guys, because a few years ago, I was in their position as well,” Grimes said.
“Hopefully I can work pretty closely with them and help them get the best out of themselves - that’s the main thing I can bring to the group; really helping the young guys come through.
Grimes has played just 26 matches, but looms as one of Melbourne’s most important players long-term.
He made his debut in the final round of the 2008 season, but his past two years have been interrupted by injury.
Still, the form Grimes displayed in 2010, before a hamstring injury halted his season, showed exactly why he has been elevated into the leadership group. He displayed composed and classy football, with his performances across half-back/midfield most impressive.
Jones is one of Melbourne’s most tenacious and passionate players.
He is a hard-working and durable midfielder, having played 92 matches since debuting in round 18, 2006. The 22-year-old has missed just four games since his first match.
Jones concurred with Grimes, saying he was stoked to find out he was part of the 2011 leadership group.
“I was pretty happy when I found out. I’ve put a bit of work into it over the past couple of years,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“I’ve really tried to build some good relationships and set the right example, so it was a bit of a reward for hard work.
“Now there is a little bit more expectation placed on me.”
Jones said he was looking forward to the challenge of being part of the leadership group.
“Everyone wants to be part of the core leadership group and now I get to have more of a say and some control over where the club is heading,” he said.
“I’m just really confident with the group that we’ve got - we can get some sustained success.
“I wouldn’t want to be in any other position really.”
Jones believes his preparation, professionalism and ability to set the right example were the reasons behind his promotion.
“I had some deficiencies when I first came to the club and I had some personal areas I needed to develop,” he said.
“So I’ve really worked on relationships with the players and how to best serve my knowledge and how to get them up to a good level.
“Taking the younger players under my wing is something I’ve also worked on. Giving and receiving feedback is another thing too.”
The new Melbourne captain will replace James McDonald, who departed at the end of the 2010, after an outstanding career and two fine seasons as skipper.
