St Kilda retains Riewoldt as captain

After months of speculation St Kilda has decided to remain with the old as they named superstar forward Nick Riewoldt as their captain for the up-coming season.

Riewoldt, who has been the Saints captain for the last five years, will be the leader of the AFL club for the sixth consecutive year and seventh overall following the club confirming his appointment on Wednesday.

Along with naming Riewoldt as captain the Saints also named the eight-man leadership group which includes the likes of Brendon Goddard, Sam Fisher, Nick Dal Santo, Adam Schneider, Leigh Montagna, James Gwilt and Ben McEvoy.

However there was no room for last year’s vice-captain and former captain of the club in veteran midfielder Lenny Hayes, as the 31-year-old who is widely considered as the spiritual leader of the club is preparing to make his long-awaited return in round one after missing the majority of last season after suffering a serious knee injury.

The Saints players voted on the captaincy last Sunday following a three-day team camp on the Mornington Peninsula, on the south of Melbourne after a thorough process by new senior coach Scott Waters to identify the best possible leader.

Riewoldt, who is currently longest serving AFL captain stated last month that he desperately wanted to keep onto the title as he attempts to put behind him a disappointing 2011 season.

“I will support the process and whatever comes out of it I will support 100 per cent,” said Riewoldt.

“If that is me as captain again then, absolutely, I cherish the job and that is something I do with a lot of pride.”

In other AFL News:

- North Melbourne has suspended promising young star Majak Daw, for missing rehabilitation sessions and for acting contrary’s to the club’s culture and professional expectations

- The Kangaroos announced on Wednesday that the 20-year-old would train with the club’s VFL affiliate Werribee until further notice

- As of this stage North Melbourne has not released details on why it has suspended Daw, only by saying that the leadership group (lead by new captain Andrew Swallow) thought it would be for the best

- Carlton have suffered a major blow on the eve of their pre-season campaign with star defender Michael Jamison ruled out for the entire NAB Cup following suffering a stress reaction to his lower back