Shane Crawford has backed Dustin Martin to become Richmond’s next captain, suggesting the presence of a leadership group will help the Tigers star to continue leading by example.
Richmond has a massive leadership void to fill after three-time premiership captain Trent Cotchin announced that he would step down from the role ahead of next season.
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As one of the team’s most experienced campaigners and its best player, Martin’s name is one that has been thrown up as a potential option to lead the Tigers forward.
Crawford, who captained Hawthorn for five seasons, admitted it isn’t always ideal for the best player to be the team’s captain, but believes Martin could succeed in the role.
“Trent Cotchin, when he first took over as captain of the Richmond Football Club, he copped it in the media,” he told Nine’s Sports Sunday.
“He turned himself into one of the great captains. He was fantastic on the field, great off the field.
“Dustin Martin, he leads from his actions and there’s still room in the AFL for captains of [that type at] footy clubs. Wouldn’t it be great, him just getting out there and leading by what he does on the footy field?
“‘You’ve got a leadership group, so you’ve normally got about four or five older players around you who can share the load, so if ever you’re going to be a captain in an AFL side, today’s the day.”