Richmond has turned to co-captains for the first time to replace Trent Cotchin, with premiership stars Dylan Grimes anxjmtzywd Toby Nankervis now in charge at Tigerland.
The honour caps an extraordinary rise for both players, given Grimes started on the rookie list, while Nankervis sought a trade to Richmond from Sydney for greater playing opportunities.
They were key members of the Tigers’ 2017, 2019 and 2020 flag triumphs.
Grimes, 30, and Nankervis, 27, are Richmond’s first co-captains and the 41st and 42nd skippers in club history.
Tigers chief executive Brendon Gale, in president Peggy O’Neal’s absence, confirmed that the club’s board ratified their appointments on Sunday night before the playing group was informed on Monday morning.
Cotchin stood down in September but was already Richmond’s longest-serving skipper across 188 games and is the Tigers’ only triple premiership captain.
There were various captaincy contenders, including last year’s vice-captain Jack Riewoldt, Nick Vlastuin, Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin, Shane Edwards and even former Gold Coast co-captain Tom Lynch.
Both All-Australian defender Grimes and ruckman Nankervis thanked Cotchin for his immense contribution as they addressed their teammates after Gale’s announcement.
“ ‘Nank’ summed it up perfectly just before. He said there’s a little bit about this that we find pretty daunting but there’s a big part of this that we’re just incredibly excited about,” Grimes said.
“I’m so unbelievably honoured and humbled by the support that you guys have shown us, and also Trent in stepping down and what you’ve already given us as leaders has been immense.
“I’m so grateful to still be able to learn from you in the next period of time.
“In short, I’m just so excited and really look forward to the growth and what’s to come for us all in 2022, but also for ‘Nank’ and I.”
Nankervis acknowledged they had “big shoes to fill”.
“Me and Grimesy are up for the challenge and we’re just going to attack it,” Nankervis said.
“We’ll make some mistakes along the way but we’re up for the fight and I can’t wait to continue the journey we’re on.”
The Tigers’ head of leadership development Shane McCurry oversaw a rigorous process to decide the captaincy, and the final decision had coach Damien Hardwick’s backing.
“Dylan and Toby play football the way we think it should be played. They are tough, uncompromising and team orientated,” Hardwick said.
“It is fair to say we entered this decision expecting to end up with one captain, but it became clear to us after an exhaustive process that we had two fine leaders ready to represent and lead our football club.
“One thing we do value is the process itself and its wonderful to be able to recognise these two fine young men. We are incredibly excited to see them lead us in 2022.”
