RICHMOND has appointed Dylan Grimes and Toby Nankervis as co-captains to replace three-time premiership skipper Trent Cotchin.
Cotchin stepped down as captain at the end of last season after being appointed the Tigers' captain ahead of the 2013 season.
He is the Tigers' longest serving skipper and has been succeeded by joint skippers, with Grimes and Nankervis taking on the shared mantle.
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The club announced the decision on Monday and is the first time in club history Richmond has appointed co-captains.
Whilst Grimes had been one of the favourites to take over from Cotchin, Nankervis will be a surprising selection for some outside Punt Road, where he internally is highly regarded for his leadership.
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Nankervis was traded from Sydney to Richmond ahead of the Tigers' historic 2017 season and has been a crucial cog in its success, with the Tasmanian big man a rock in the middle of the ground.
He admitted he was somewhat surprised to be named one of two new captains to lead Richmond's new era as they seek to bounce back into premiership contention this season.
"I'm really confident in my relationships and the way I go about my footy, but (the appointment) is a little bit surprising," Nankervis said.
"In saying that, there's no reason for me not to think I can do the job and I'm really excited to attack it and just give it everything I've got.
"I'll probably make some mistakes alongside Dylan but I'll do it being myself and I'm really confident I can do that."
The 30-year-old Grimes has been one of the Tigers' key pillars in its golden era, leading the defence throughout their run of three premierships in four seasons.
"It's been a little bit slow but in some ways it's really filled us with confidence that the decision that was made was the right call," All-Australian defender and reigning Richmond best-and-fairest winner Grimes said.
"We're super excited and incredibly humbled by that decision.
"Trent (Cotchin) is going to be a huge part of our leadership development over the next 12 months and then going forward after that.
"We're really excited by the challenge and really looking forward to getting stuck into it."
Richmond initially intended to replace Cotchin with just one captain.
But an extensive process led by Tigers head of leadership development Shane McCurry over the off-season found a Nankervis-Grimes partnership to be the best fit.
The decision was ratified by the club's board over the weekend.
"Dylan and Toby play football the way we think it should be played. They are tough, uncompromising, and team orientated," said coach Damien Hardwick, with the Tigers to announce their full leadership group later this week.
"It is fair to say we entered this decision expecting to end up with one captain, but it became clear to us after an exhaustive process that we had two fine leaders ready to represent and lead our football club.
"One thing we do value is the process itself and it's wonderful to be able to recognise these two fine young men. We are incredibly excited to see them lead us in 2022."
Superstar Dustin Martin was considered a candidate for the role, with Cotchin previously declaring his fellow Brownlow medallist "one of many" teammates who could step up as captain.
Martin could yet be included as part of the Tigers' overall leadership group, which will be confirmed later this week.
"Whether he has a title or not, I'm not too sure, but he doesn't need a title to lead," Nankervis said.
"You watch him every weekend go about his business, he's amazing the way he leads from the front.
"Probably no player in the competition has more impact on his teammates than Dusty."
Jack Riewoldt, Nick Vlastuin and younger midfielder Jack Graham were also touted as possible skippers, with coach Damien Hardwick considering the wide array of options a strength of his side.
- with AAP
