The popular West Australian beat out star All-Australian trio Shaun Burgoyne, Chad and Kane Cornes to secure the role and, in doing so, joined a growing trend of ‘no-frills’ skippers in the AFL.
But Williams said the underrated onballer, who finished fifth in the competition for tackles last season, deserved more credit for his playing ability.
“Where did you come in the best and fairest last year? Second was it?” Williams quizzed Cassisi on Monday.
“So, Dom has been up there in the best and fairest … it’s not like he’s a scrubber,”
But Williams revealed Cassisi wasn’t in the fray for the top job, at least in his mind, when it initially became vacant last year.
“When Tredders (Warren Tredrea) was injured and going to relinquish the captaincy three-quarters of the way through last year, I spoke to Shaun and Chad about where I thought the captaincy would be,” Williams said.
“I thought it would come out of one of those two guys. Chad went and had his shoulder operation done, so Shaun became the captain and played a few games in that role.
“In my view, it was going along that way, but since that time we’ve had a new administration come in – a new CEO, President and board – and they certainly went a different way in regards to the process they wanted to go through.
“I’m happy enough to listen and go through the process and, having gone through that process, I’m delighted with the result we got and Dom’s fully aware of that.”
Cassisi received the Fos Williams Medal for best team man as voted by the players last season and emerged as a genuine contender for the leadership role over the summer.
President Brett Duncanson said the gritty onballer had impressed to the point that it became a clear decision to appoint him as Tredrea’s successor.
“I think the decision is all about who the best leader is and not necessarily about profile,” Duncanson said.
“My belief is that great leaders are born with some of those traits and profile will come with the leadership role. When you wear number one at this club, the profile will come.”
Cassisi’s leadership style has already drawn comparisons to that of Geelong skipper Tom Harley and inspirational Swan Brett Kirk.
None are considered the flashiest or even best players at their respective clubs, but all have been recognised for their selflessness and team-first attitudes.
Cassisi acknowledged there was a link between he and the other blue-collar captains in the AFL.
“There are a fair few guys being thrown the captaincy that show hard working and tough types of play, so I guess I fall into that category as well,” he said.
“I guess, playing-wise, I’m a bit similar to [Brett Kirk], but I’ve been lucky enough to play under some great captains here in Matty Primus and Tredders.
“I’ll definitely take bits and pieces of what they’ve done well and use that, but I’d like to bring my own thing to it and be myself along the whole way.”
