The Brisbane Lions today announced the appointment of Jed Adcock as the Club’s Captain for 2014.
Adcock, who was last year inducted as a Life Member of the Club, will take the reigns as sole Captain having previously shared the captaincy duties with Jonathan Brown in 2013.
Midfielder Tom Rockliff was also unveiled as the Club’s Vice-Captain, whilst Daniel Rich, Joel Patfull and Daniel Merrett will take up roles as Deputy Vice Captains.
The structure was finalised earlier this week during a leadership conference in Noosa involving core Senior players.
Senior Coach Justin Leppitsch said that the new leadership model was a good fit for the Club.
“Jed has demonstrated outstanding leadership over his time at the Lions, and most specifically last season as a Co-Captain,” Leppitsch said.
“He is an excellent representative of this footy Club, and it’s culture and values. Jed is a great on-field leader, but just as importantly he sets a great example off it too.
“Whilst we’d love to have Browny around forever, that’s just not possible and by him standing down from the Captaincy, it provides us with a great opportunity to develop our emerging leaders.
“It is also a fantastic opportunity for Tom Rockliff as Vice-Captain, at just 23 years of age, to really step up and continue to grow as a leader.”
Jonathan Brown said that he was excited to watch the Lions new crop of leaders develop.
“Obviously I have relished my time as Captain, but I think it’s the right time for a changing of the guard,” said Brown.
“I’m coming towards the end of my career and I think with Leppa on board it’s the perfect time for a fresh start.
“I’ll still be there to support the boys when they need, but I have every confidence in the ability of Jed, Tom and our next generation of leaders to take the Club forward."
The Lions extended Leadership Group is made up by Pearce Hanley, Matthew Leuenberger, Dayne Zorko, Jack Redden and Mitch Golby.
