FOR a man facing his third press conference in as many days, Nick Riewoldt seemed remarkably upbeat and happy to field questions at the AFL captains’ day at Telstra Dome on Thursday.

Riewoldt, who was appointed St Kilda captain on Wednesday and took part in the announcement of State Government funding of the club’s Frankston relocation on Tuesday, said it was all part of being the face of the club.

“For the last few years we’ve shared that responsibility anyway, so I can’t envisage too much changing this year,” the 25-year-old said.

While Riewoldt has already had two years as captain, he said that it felt no different now that it was on a long-term basis.

“It’s only been a day so it’s still taking a bit of time to sink in," he said. “If that’s the way the club wants to go with a more permanent role, then I support that.

“It’s still our responsibility as leaders of the club to make sure the leaders are coming on from underneath and growing all the time. Hopefully there is someone in a few years who is good enough to take over the role.”

Riewoldt said he would approach the captaincy differently to when he was rotated into the role in 2005.

“I think I’ve grown and matured as a person in the last three years and hopefully that will transpire in me leading the club better than I did last time.”

He said there was a growing sense of familiarity at Moorabbin as Ross Lyon approached his second season as coach.

“Like players you grow with experience and I think right across the board our coaching staff is more confident this year. They’re surer in themselves and the game plan.”

“I think when you have more time to practice and grow into it, the coaches have learnt more about us as players as well. We’re all growing into it.”

Michael Gardiner, who is also coming into his second year at the Saints, could prove to be one of the club’s best pick-ups after he followed an injury-riddled 2007 with an impressive NAB Cup campaign.

“He (Gardiner) has settled in really well,” Riewoldt said.

“I think playing in the pre-season has made him feel more a part of the group and the big challenge for him now is to keep his body right and if he can do that he’ll be a great acquisition for us.

“With Gardi, Kingy (Steven King) as well as Rixy (Michael Rix) we’ve got three capable ruckmen. Hopefully that will allow Kosi (Justin Koschitzke) to spend a bit more time up forward and he’s very capable up there.”