GEELONG star Gary Ablett says he would "love" to one day captain the club, but only if his teammates thought he was the right man for the job.
In a rare interview, Ablett, 24, said he would enjoy and feel comfortable leading the club, having established himself as a champion midfielder.
"It's definitely something, if the boys thought I was the right person for the job, then it's something I would love to do," he said.
"I guess time will tell. If it's the role I kind of fit into as I go, then yes, if not ..."
Ablett is enjoying a brilliant season and is in career-best form, having also won last year's best and fairest award in the Cats' premiership campaign.
Although famously shy and reluctant to speak publicly, Ablett said he would be comfortable leading the club, and perhaps one day succeed Tom Harley.
"I think so, definitely," he told the Nine Network's The Footy Show.
"If the boys thought I was the right person for that job, then it's definitely something I'd be comfortable with."
But Ablett was not so sure about his brother Nathan making a comeback to the AFL.
Nathan, 22, also played in Geelong's grand final win over Port Adelaide, but told the club before this season began he wanted a break from the game because he had lost his passion to play.
Gary was unsure if Nathan would return in 2009.
"It's hard to say at the moment," he said.
"I've tried to not talk to him too much about it, just let him do his own thing and enjoy what he's doing.
"He's just doing a bit of travelling with his friends at the moment, just trying to find his feet and figure out what he wants to do in life, that's the most important thing.
"I'd love to see him make a decision to come back so I could play with him again, but if what makes him happy is doing something else then (that is fine)."