ST KILDA defender Jarryn Geary is firming as the club's likely new captain, with two high-profile Saints nominating him as favourite to succeed Nick Riewoldt.

Saints veteran Leigh Montagna told SEN radio on Thursday morning Geary was leading the race to take over as St Kilda skipper in 2017, while recently retired key defender Sam Fisher said the 28-year-old was "the natural fit for the job".

"Gears is probably the front-runner at this stage," Montagna said.

"We've got a lot of these younger guys who are ready to take the step. Jack Steven has come along in leaps and bounds and Mav Weller is a terrific leader and David Armitage (is too).

"So we have a few options, but Gears is probably the front-runner.

"Gears is really highly rated amongst the football club. (He's) probably not as well known outside the footy club, but certainly internally we rate him really highly."

Fisher told News Corp that Geary, a former rookie who was elevated to the Saints' senior list in 2007, had all the attributes needed to be a successful captain.

"He is an outstanding candidate. Behind the scenes at the club he is a natural speaker in front of the group and he has really grown in that aspect in the last couple of years," Fisher said.

"He's very good at giving feedback to people, whether it is the really direct or uncomfortable stuff.

"And I think he has a great relationship with all people from the club, on all levels, because you see him one minute with Nick Riewoldt and the next minute he is with the youngest person at the club joking around or helping.

"So he has that communication, respect and rapport among all people.

“The way he works so hard on the training track and in games is second to none.

"He's the natural fit (as captain) I always thought [the coaches] would go for."

Montagna said the Saints' players would vote on their 2017 leadership group next week, with the captain to be appointed shortly afterwards.

Riewoldt confirmed last September he would step down as captain after a club-record 11 years in the role.

Geary has played 141 games for the Saints and finished second in last year's best and fairest award.

A hard-checking 182cm defender, the former Bendigo Pioneer has also had success playing as a run-with midfielder.

Geary won the Saints' post-Christmas 3km time trial last week.