While Ling is surprised by his appointment, others will remember his maturity in the way he managed to claim some big name scalps, including Collingwood captain Nathan Buckley, last season.
Ling led the club in disposals last year, accrued an impressive 11 Brownlow medal votes, and topped off what was a fine season by placing second in the club’s best and fairest count.
But the Cats’ most improved player of 2002 was honoured to join Steven King, the new Geelong captain, and Brenton Sanderson, promoted to vice-captain.
“I thought there were a couple of other blokes that might have got it,” Ling said of his leadership position.
“But I’m certainly rapt and it was a great surprise when ‘Bomber’ (Mark Thompson) told me. I thought he was half joking when he told me.”
The former captain of the Geelong Falcons said leadership was a natural part of his game, and that he wouldn’t need to alter his approach merely because he has a title in 2003.
“David Clarke, Matthew Scarlett and blokes like that don’t need a title. I suppose I don’t need a title to be a leader within the team, and I’m just happy to do my bit, play my part, and hopefully help out as many players as I can and get us all going in the one direction,” he said.
“I’ve tried to be a leader over the last couple of years anyway, especially to the younger boys, because obviously I’ve got a close relationship with them.”
“It’s very exciting for me, but I’m not going to change too much now that I’ve got the title. It doesn’t matter, I’ll still do the things I was doing before.”
