AT THE ripe old age of 30 and a decade since he was drafted, Dennis Armfield has been added to Carlton's leadership group for the first time.
Marc Murphy has retained the captaincy at the Blues with veteran defender Kade Simpson the vice-captain for the third year overall.
Patrick Cripps, Sam Docherty, Bryce Gibbs and Ed Curnow round out the seven-player leadership group.
The Blues' players voted for the leadership group on Tuesday.
Armfield takes the spot vacated by the retired Andrew Walker.
Gibbs was kept in the leadership group after he requested a trade to Adelaide during the off-season for family reasons.
The Blues and the Crows were unable to strike a deal that satisfied both parties.
Armfield has played 140 games for the Blues since being selected with the 46th overall selection of the 2007 NAB AFL Draft.
The cult figure signed a one-year contract for this season and is also a specialist coach for Carlton's AFL Women's team.
Coach Brendon Bolton said the leadership group would continue to drive high standards for the Blues’ young playing list.
"In 2016, we set about building leadership density across our list. This year, we are sticking to the roadmap and ensuring there is a consistent level of leadership across the board," Bolton said.
"With only one change to our leadership group for 2017, we are building on the foundations that were set last season.
"Dennis is a very influential member of our playing group and on the clear vote from his teammates, comes into the spot vacated by Andrew Walker.
"Marc continues to be a tremendous leader for our club and across the past 12 months in particular, has played a vital role in shaping and reinforcing our values and behaviours, particularly working closely with the younger players.
"Kade, Bryce, Patrick, Sam and Ed are already established leaders at our football club, all finishing in the top five of our best and fairest count in 2016 which is a clear indication of them all leading from the front on field, too.
"We know this leadership group will continue to drive high standards for our young playing group as we continue to evolve and grow as a team in 2017."
