NEW RICHMOND skipper Chris Newman says it is an honour to captain his club.
Newman steps up to the role left vacant when Kane Johnson decided that four years was enough and it was time to hand the baton on to the younger generation.
In keeping with that, Newman (26 years old, 133 games), is joined in the leadership group by youngsters Nathan Foley (continuing as vice-captain, 23 years old, 70 games), Brett Deledio (21 years old, 84 games) and Kel Moore (24 years old, 46 games).
The Tigers face a significant year, with finals a must after another ninth placed finish in 2008, and Newman acknowledged the seriousness of the task.
"It's a huge honour, and I also see it as a responsibility now," he said at the club on Wednesday, standing in front of the statue of legendary skipper Jack Dyer.
"I've got big shoes to fill, with Kane Johnson stepping down and the fantastic job he's done around the club.
"I'm just really looking forward to getting into it, and it all pretty much feels surreal now, but I'm sure it'll sink in soon."
Newman, who suffered a horrendous broken leg in 2006, admitted being skipper was the furthest thing from his mind when he began his career.
"I've thought about that, and I would never have imagined it. If someone would have said at the start of my career eight years ago that I'd be captaining the Richmond Football Club, I probably would have laughed.
"But as I said, it's a huge step, and it's a role that I'm not taking lightly."
The 26-year-old has played 133 games since joining the club when he was taken at 55 in the 2000 NAB AFL National Draft.
He agreed it was an exciting time to be taking over as skipper, but said he wasn't aiming to model himself on anyone.
"We finished off the year well last year, and I think that the club is on the rise, and to take over now is a huge responsibility and one that I think I can fill along with the rest of the leadership group.
"I don't model myself on anyone in the AFL – I got picked to do this role because of something I bring to the table, so I'm not going to try and change too much.
"I am who I am, and I'll try and lead to the best of my ability."
