Essendon 2015 Leadership Group Announced

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http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/2015-02-20/2015-leadership-group-announced

The players elected to lead the Essendon Football Club for season 2015 have been unveiled at Tullamarine today.

Jobe Watson headlines the eight man group and will captain the club for a sixth season.

Elevated into the group for the first time are All-Australian duo Cale Hooker and Paul Chapman, while David Zaharakis has been re-elected to the group.

Brendon Goddard, Brent Stanton, David Myers and Dyson Heppell were also voted back in.

Watson said the elevation of Hooker, Zaharakis and Chapman was an acknowledgment of their respect amongst the playing group.

“All three players really proved themselves as leaders around the club over the past 12 months, and to be voted in by your peers is a huge show of confidence in their leadership,” Watson said.

“Hooksy, Chappy and Zacka will all bring a unique and versatile skill set to the leadership group, while as a collective; we will continue to drive the standards we expect of our teammates.”

As part of the restructured leadership group, Jason Winderlich and Heath Hocking have stood down. Following an injury interrupted summer, Hocking made the decision to focus on his preparations for the season.

Senior coach James Hird said the newly appointed leadership group would further strengthen and support the club’s galvanised playing group.

“It shouldn’t be lost on anyone the calibre of leaders we have at this football club,” Hird said.

“Jobe has been a tremendous leader of this football club since being named captain at the end of 2009, and it’s clear through the emergence of young leaders like Dyson, David Myers and now Cale and David of the influence he has had on this group.

“This is a fantastic acknowledgement of Cale and David’s mentoring work with our younger players, while Paul brings years of experience to the group.

“I’m confident all our leaders will empower the playing group with their actions both on and off the field.”