The Geelong board endorsed the recommendation of coach Mark Thompson that King, 24, should relieve the 29 year-old Graham, who has effectively fallen on his sword. A disappointed Graham believes the changes are best for the club and will help his own focus in the new season.
King, the side’s premier ruckman, All-Australian and dual best and fairest winner, will be supported by Brenton Sanderson, promoted to vice-captain after being deputy vice-captain last season, and 21 year-old Cameron Ling.
“To captain a side is a tremendous honour, and it hasn’t really sunken in just yet. I just got told this morning. But I’m sure it will sink in, and I’m really looking forward to the challenge,” King said.
King becomes the league’s youngest captain. West Coast’s Ben Cousins is sixth months his senior.
“I think it might just be the best result for this whole footy club,” Thompson said on Wednesday.
“Ben will know exactly what Steven is going to go through, and he’s going to help him enormously. And Ben will be able to do that without the pressure. He’ll still be a leader around this footy club, he’ll still be a very good player.”
Discussions about the Cats’ leadership have been on-going over the past month, and Thompson said the decision was as tough as it was close.
“It was a very difficult decision to make. We’ve got a guy here who has been a good captain and knows the role (in Graham).”
“Whether we sort of go down that track again, or we give Ben the opportunity to play and try and train Steven up... it was very, very close. It really could have gone either way.”
A brave-faced Graham said while he was disappointed by the decision, his release from the position might help to prolong his career.
“The issue was doing the best for the team. That’s all I’m in this game for. I’ve got no doubt not having those captaincy pressures will certainly help my football,” he said.
“I am disappointed because I would have loved to have led the club for a fourth year. But I can see that the Geelong Football Club is entering a new era, and to do that you need a new leadership group.”
“I’m happy to stand aside so that Steven and Brenton and Cameron can take the Geelong Football Club somewhere special.”
Graham has been unsettled by having to play at both ends of the ground over the past few seasons, and Thompson believes the captaincy hasn’t helped.
“His form has probably suffered a little bit because of the side he’s had to lead and all the pressure. He’s been the only person, really, being the face of Geelong,” Thompson said.
“I had more pressures than just the captaincy,” Graham added.
“The forward experiment didn’t quite pay off. But it will give me a lot of time now to look at football a little bit differently, and maybe be a little bit selfish in the way I go about things.”
“It’s not as if I’m going anywhere. I can still play for the club until I finish my career, but I can understand the decision that the club’s made and I’m happy to support and mentor Steven whenever possible.”
