“He plays the right way and inspires people around him.”
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High praise for Jarryn Geary from St Kilda coach Alan Richardson after the former Bendigo Pioneers star was announced as Saints captain for 2017.
Geary was a unanimous choice by the Saints’ playing list to take over as captain from club champion Nick Riewoldt.
"I really like the way that Jarryn has gone about his footy," Richardson said.
"He's incredibly competitive. He plays for the team as much if not more than any other player on our list.
"What you guys outside our footy club don't know is that Gears is a really determined person that not only drives the standards personally but drives his teammates. He' s exactly the sort of person that we need to drive this group.
"We just felt that Gears was the most complete and the most ready-to-go."
Mark Ellis was Geary’s coach with the Bendigo Pioneers in the TAC Cup in 2005-06.
Geary’s leadership sills were evident back then.
“Jarryn was one of our leaders in the same year Joel Selwood was,’’ Ellis said.
“When you look back on that time now it’s the same things that stand out now and that starts with that he is a quality person.
“Jarryn operated with the view back then that you get respect before you get liked. On and off the field he demanded that people did their best.”
Geary has played 140 games for the Saints since being selected with pick 58 in the 2006 rookie draft.
“I wouldn't have wanted to do it unless they (the players) wanted me to do it. They've given me heavy support so I'm really rapt," he said.
"I don't think I'll ever get used to it. No-one rocks up thinking they're going to be a captain of the footy club. I just wanted to forge my own way, work hard and that's what I think I've done.
"I'm obviously really proud to be put in this position."
Apart from Riewoldt, fellow veterans Leigh Montagna and Sean Dempster have also stood down from official leadership duties with the Saints.
Josh Bruce, Seb Ross and Dylan Roberton are in the leadership group for the first time, joining fellow deputies David Armitage, Jack Newnes, Jack Steven and Mav Weller.