Demons put faith in youth

MELBOURNE have named Jack Viney and Nathan Jones as AFL co-captains, reviving a model that has produced mixed results for the club.

Young gun Viney has long been seen as Jones’ natural successor and will share the leadership aged just 22.

Former Hawthorn premiership star Jordan Lewis will also take on a senior role in his first season with the Demons, replacing Colin Garland in the leadership group.

Max Gawn, Tom McDonald and Bernie Vince have retained their spots in the sixman group.

It’s not the first time the captaincy has been shared at the Demons. Jack Trengove and Jack Grimes were appointed co-captains in 2012, aged just 20 and 22 respectively at the time.

The Demons struggled badly during their two seasons at the helm, as well as in 2014 when Grimes and Jones shared the duties.

Demons coach Simon Goodwin says he’s confident in Jones and Viney.

“Jack’s been an emerging leader for a number of years,” he said. “He’s got great standing within the playing group.’’

“We think it’s the best model now and for the future.”

But Goodwin denied it was a transition towards Viney taking over as captain in his own right when the 29-yearold Jones eventually retires.

“Not at all. This model could last for three, four, five years. It could last for 10 years,” he said.

Viney will follow in the footsteps of father Todd, who captained the Demons for two seasons in the 1990s.

Jones, who was the sole captain for the past two seasons, said he and fellow onballer Viney made a natural combination.