CARLTON has opted for an experienced leadership group to help aid new co-captains Patrick Cripps and Sam Docherty in 2019, confirming a five-man unit on Wednesday.
Marc Murphy remains in the leadership group, having relinquished the captaincy earlier in the year, and is joined by fellow seasoned campaigners Kade Simpson and Ed Curnow.
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It comes as Carlton whittles down its leadership group from eight members to five from last season, with Lachie Plowman, Matthew Kreuzer and the retired Alex Silvagni withdrawn.
"All five of us have been in the leadership group for the last three years," Cripps said.
"We've got a really good relationship with each other. We're not afraid to challenge each other, but we're also not afraid to celebrate each other's performances.
"It's a really exciting time at the club. I know the five of us, as a collective, are really driven to take this group forward."
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Cripps and Docherty take the captaincy mantle from Murphy, who held the role for six years before announcing he would step down from the position in October.
However, despite giving up the captaincy, Murphy said he never considered not putting his hand up to help guide his younger replacements both next year and in the future.
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"I didn't really think about it too much," Murphy said.
"I spoke to 'Doc' (Docherty), 'Crippa' (Cripps) and (senior coach) Brendon Bolton before the announcement. They were all really keen to have me in there and I was keen to stick around.
"If they need it (I'll give them a hand), but I think they're both really accomplished players and really good leaders of our footy club.
"Just like Ed and Kade, I'll be there to support them. I'm looking forward to the new role."
CARLTON LEADERSHIP GROUP
Patrick Cripps (co-captain)
Sam Docherty (co-captain)
Marc Murphy
Kade Simpson
Ed Curnow
