The former number three pick in the 2004 AFL Draft succeeds Matthew Boyd, who made the decision to stand down after leading the team for three years.
In Boyd’s absence with injury, Griffen filled in as Captain in eight games this season and flourished in the role, not only emerging as a genuine leader but earning All-Australian selection and winning his second Charles Sutton Medal as the team’s best and fairest player.
View Ryan Griffen's player profile and season 2013 statistics.
Senior Coach Brendan McCartney said the 27-year-old was the ideal replacement to the lead the Club through its next phase of development and commended Boyd for his valuable contribution.
“Matthew has been a great leader of this Club, particularly through some challenging times over the past three years where he shouldered some enormous responsibility both on and off the field,” McCartney said.
“We see Ryan as the right person to help take this Club forward and we look forward to seeing him continue to grow as a leader, player and person.”
Griffen said the opportunity to lead the team was not lost on him.
“It’s a huge honour to lead this Club — a Club I love dearly,” Griffen said.
“I’m extremely humbled, that the coaches, staff and my teammates nominated me as the person to Captain the Club going forward.”
Griffen has played 183 games since debuting in 2005, and becomes the 33rd player to Captain the Club since its VFL inclusion in 1925.
Congratulate Ryan Griffen on receiving the captaincy at Christmas Open Training, including a signing session on Wednesday 11 December 2013, from 3:00-5:00pm. More details shortly on westernbulldogs.com.au
