Co-captains Callan Ward and Phil Davis will be supported by four new faces in the GIANTS’ seven-man leadership group in 2016.
Midfielders Stephen Coniglio and Dylan Shiel, forward Devon Smith and defender Matt Buntine have all been elevated to the GIANTS’ leadership group for the first time.
As foundation GIANTS players having all joined the club as teenagers, the quartet have risen through the ranks to now form part of a new-look leadership group.
The club’s formal group of leaders is rounded out by reigning Kevin Sheedy Medallist, All-Australian defender and GIANTS vice-captain Heath Shaw.
Ruckman Shane Mumford and midfielder Tom Scully have moved out of the leadership group to make way for the next generation of GIANTS leaders.
The influx of young leaders is complemented by the fact that 2016 will be the club’s fifth season under co-captains Ward and Davis.
Coach Leon Cameron said after working closely with leadership coach Nick Maxwell, he was pleased to formally usher in the next wave of GIANTS leaders.
“We’ve had an exhaustive process to determine the make-up of our leadership group, and in consultation with leadership coach Nick Maxwell, I believe we’ve settled on a good mix of experienced and emerging leaders that will take us forward this season,” Cameron said.
“Callan and Phil have been terrific leaders of our young club and they remain the perfect fit for this role going forward.
“The four new members of the leadership group are influential and highly regarded within the playing group. They have all been here from the beginning - first joining the club as either 17 or 18 year olds – and to now have them leading the club is testament to their development.
“While Tom Scully and Shane Mumford won’t have an official leadership role in 2016, there’s no doubt they’ll continue to play a critical role both on and off the field this year, along with other experienced players such as Ryan Griffen, Joel Patfull, Steve Johnson and Rhys Palmer.
“This year’s leadership team clearly illustrates our maturation as a playing group; we’re lifting the reliance on the most experienced or the oldest players in the club when it comes to leadership.”
Ward and Davis (both 25) were named as the club's inaugural co-captains alongside veteran Luke Power in 2012. Ward has now played 143 AFL games, including 83 for the GIANTS while Davis has played 58 games for the GIANTS to take his tally to 76 AFL games.
Davis said he was honoured to be leading the GIANTS for the fifth season.
“It’s a really exciting time for the GIANTS and I’m looking forward to leading the club alongside Callan again in 2016,” Davis said.
“I feel that we’ve got a good mix of leaders in this group and plenty of experience on the playing list to add further support."
Ward, who was this week announced as a GIANT for life by re-signing until the end of 2021, said he was looking forward to the season ahead.
“It’s an honour to once again lead the club and it’s exciting to have these four young players officially become leaders,” Ward said.
“We had a good season in 2015, but we know we must improve on that in 2016 and that has been the driving force for the playing group throughout the pre-season."
Shaw, 30, has been vice-captain for the past two seasons since crossing from Collingwood. He played 22 games in 2015 to take his career tally to 213. He was named back pocket in the All Australian team and became the fourth winner of the Kevin Sheedy Medal as the GIANTS’ Club Champion.
Stephen Coniglio, 22, played 18 games in 2015 to take his career tally to 62 matches since being selected with pick 2 in the 2011 NAB AFL Draft.
Dylan Shiel, 23, joined the GIANTS as a 17-year-old access selection and has played 64 AFL games including 14 games in 2015.
Devon Smith, 22, played 20 matches in 2015 and has played 79 games for the GIANTS since being selected with pick 14 in the 2011 NAB AFL Draft.
Matt Buntine, 22, had a career best season in 2015 playing 11 games to take him career tally to 27 games since being selected with pick 5 in the 2011 NAB AFL Draft.
