VETERAN Brad Green has been named the 41st captain of the Melbourne Football Club, given the nod ahead of midfielder Aaron Davey, Brent Moloney and Jared Rivers.

Green, who turns 30 in March, replaces James McDonald as skipper for 2011, and Davey, Moloney and Rivers will be his joint vice captains.

The 2010 best and fairest winner, who has played 220 games since a stunning debut season in 2000, said it was a privilege to lead one of the oldest sporting club's in the world.

"It's certainly a great honour and an exciting challenge to lead this group in 2011. It's a privilege that I will cherish.

"This club has come a long way since I walked into Junction Oval on my first day at the club back in 2000, and that's reflective of where we are as a team. We have come a long way, but I'm excited about where we are going.

"We have a great young playing group - but talent doesn't equal success. Hard work and dedication equals success and that's what we will to continue to strive for to improve in 2011."

Coach Dean Bailey said the captaincy was a testament to Green's professional attitude and dedication to the team.

"Over a long period of time, Brad has been a strong, consistent performer for this club," Bailey said..

"He is a bloke who kept getting knocked down but gets straight back up. He brings a very professional attitude with everything he does. He leads by example and does an enormous amount for this footy club, and we look forward to Brad leading the club in 2011 and beyond."

Bailey also paid tribute to the three vice captains and their "whatever it takes" attitude.

"They really complement each other well and having a vice-captain in charge of each of the backline, midfield and forward line will be beneficial to the team cause."

The captaincy process began in December when the players elected the leadership group of Green, Davey, Moloney, Rivers, Nathan Jones and Jack Grimes.

Following that, the coaches, management and directors - along with input from the players - came to the collective decision that Green was the right man to lead the club.

Green has spent time as caretaker captain of Melbourne and has also led junior representative cricket and soccer teams, including the captaincy of the under 15 Australian cricket team.

"Leadership is something you grow into and as a young player I was always confident in my ability," he said.

"I was always confident about my football. When I came here I wasn't shy but I was confident in my ability to go and play the game."