SYDNEY coach Paul Roos says he went with his “gut feeling” when appointing Craig Bolton as Swans co-skipper ahead of dual Brownlow Medallist Adam Goodes.

“I think a lot of it is down to gut feeling when you get down to two people who have represented the club so well and who exhibit the characteristics we want our players to exhibit,” Roos said today.

“They were both very strong candidates for the job but I just felt that Craig was a bit more ready to take on the role,” Roos said.

“Bolton has become a real leader at the club.”

Bolton, 27, joins Leo Barry and Brett Kirk as club co-captains after Barry Hall stepped down after the 2007 season.

“It's obviously very exciting,” Bolton said. “Five years ago I wouldn't have thought this would've come around.

“I'm really proud to be here [today] and it's obviously a huge honour to accept this role.”

Bolton said he had initially learnt his leadership skills off previous club captain Stuart Maxfield.

“I think I've probably evolved as a leader over the last few years,” Bolton said. “Hopefully I'll grow into the role and become a better leader.

“Stuey [Stuart Maxfield] was a great leader and he put many of the building blocks in place for our success. Kirky [Brett Kirk] has his style of leadership as do Leo Barry and Barry Hall.

“I think you can take bit and pieces of everyone but I won't be changing too much now that I'm one of the captains.”

Bolton said he had never been a captain of a side before this appointment but said the confidence placed in him by Roos had been pivotal in his career.

And Roos said the decision to go with Bolton had been well received by Goodes.

“Adam [Goodes] was fine about the decision,” Roos said.

“He's obviously very supportive. I've no doubt he'll captain the club [in the future].

“I think it was probably just that Craig was a little bit more ahead [of Goodes] in terms of the way he's developed as a person and a player.

“He challenges me often which I think is really positive to have when you're a captain.”