CTV > Watch the captaincy announcement press conference

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire is delighted the club has appointed a player of Scott Burns’ stature as captain.

Speaking at Thursday’s media conference at the Lexus Centre where the captaincy was announced, McGuire explained the process by which Burns was selected.

“The players had their votes, the coaching staff then had their input, Mick Malthouse then makes the decision, and ultimately it’s passed up the line where the board and the president ratifies the decision.

“Every step of the way it was unanimous that Scott Burns was the candidate that we wanted to be the captain of our football club.”

McGuire was glowing in his assessment of Burns’ character and credentials, and also the quality of the leadership group comprising vice-captain Josh Fraser and deputy vice-captains Tarkyn Lockyer, Scott Pendlebury and Nick Maxwell.

“Scott is what we believe the captain of our club, not just our team, and so too are these guys, the leaders of our club.

“The symbolism of what Scott Burns stands for, is as much about where we want our club to go and what we would like to see in ourselves collectively as a football club, and representative of our supporters, members, sponsors, and all the people who come together to make this football club what it is, as much as running out and getting a kick.”

“It’s a wonderful group of guys we’ve got here. You’ve got the captain who was picked at pick 90 in the draft that he came through. You’ve got our vice-captain, who was pick one in his draft, you’ve got Maxy and Tarks who both fought their way off the rookie list, and you’ve got Scotty Pendlebury who was also a first round draft pick.

“It just shows at Collingwood, it’s not where you come from, it’s what you become that makes sense at our club, and we’re delighted that we’ve got someone of the status in the game as Scott Burns to take over from Nathan Buckley, and lead our club into the future.”