MELBOURNE has appointed Nathan Jones and Jack Grimes as co-captains for 2014.
Jones and Grimes were considered front-runners for the job, but it was made official by the club at a press conference at the MCG on Wednesday afternoon.
Alongside Jones and Grimes, Mitch Clark, Colin Garland, Jack Trengove and James Frawley were named in Melbourne's six-man leadership group.
Demons coach Paul Roos said Jones and Grimes demonstrated standout characteristics through their actions on the field and the way they carried themselves outside the club.
"It became obvious among the players themselves, that Jack, through being captain in the past, was still held in really high regard," Roos said.
"And then obviously Nathan, through his efforts on the field, but more importantly off the field, was equal to Jack as one of the real leaders of the club."
Trengove, who was co-captain with Grimes last year, stepped down from his position after the season finished.
It came as little surprise the Demons decided to name joint leaders, with Roos adopting a similar philosophy during his time at the Sydney Swans.
Leading Teams, which Roos introduced to the club after starting in the role last October, also played its part in the process.
The players were urged to have an ongoing say, voting on their preferred members of the leadership group.
The Demons' coaching staff then nominated their preferred captain(s) last week, before Jones and Grimes were recommended to the club's board.
Despite Trengove stepping down as captain, Grimes was always eager to continue in the role.
"I see myself as a much better captain today, than I was day one (2012)," he said.
"I feel like I've learnt a lot from it and I really feel like I've developed as a person and a leader as well, so I was really keen to put my hand up (for the job)."
Jones, who was vice-captain in 2013, said he had seen a real progression in his time at the club.
"The journey I've had so far at the footy club hasn't been much on-field success and to be appointed by the board, and in particular to be voted in by your peers, I feel a great privilege to hold that position and to be in charge of leading the footy club into a successful period," he said.
"I think the footy club's really sorting itself out and to be the head of that, along with Grimesy, I'm really honoured and pleased."
Grimes' advice to his new counterpart was simple - don't go changing.
"The first thing I did say to him was to not change. He's got to the position because of what he's doing already," he said.
"I probably fell into that trap when I was announced - trying to be what I thought a captain should be."
Demon leaders Mitch Clark, Colin Garland, Jack Grimes, Paul Roos, Nathan Jones, Jack Trengove and James Frawley. Picture: AFL Media
One of Jones' juggling acts in 2014 will be combining his passion for surfing with his football - and a child expected with his partner in early July.
Revealing he had already scoured the fixture for a potential clash, Jones nervously said he hoped the birth would take priority over the round 16 clash with Fremantle in Darwin.
Shannon Byrnes, Jordie McKenzie and Chris Dawes were omissions from the 2013 leadership group, with Roos saying the feedback he received was that nine was "too many".
