But in a departure from the traditional leadership model - Boyd will captain the team with no formal leadership group beneath him - the Club instead opting for a broader decision making model that taps into, and develops, the significant leadership potential within the young group.
"We are trying something that is a little bit different, a little left of centre but we've been in consultation with quite a few people over a fair bit of time," Boyd told the Herald Sun.
"This is something that we think is going to help bridge the gap between older and younger generations within the playing group and help our emerging leaders to step up and take some more responsibility”.
Focusing on nurturing, encouraging and supporting emerging leaders – the leadership model places team over individual - driving ownership, shared responsibility and accountability.
"The whole idea is about trying to create a bit of ownership amongst some of our younger players, the whole group really, so the guys feel it's their club.
"They can take part in some of the decision-making process and really feel like they are taking the club where they want to take it. What we are trying to promote and preach at our footy club is that everyone has a responsibility to take the club where they want to take it."
The whole list will engage in regular discussions (in groups) – giving each player, irrespective of age, time at the club, or position – the opportunity to identify and contribute to discussions relevant to the team.
These views will be channeled to inform decision making across the Club and drive ownership, accountability and responsibility across the playing group.
"The whole idea is about trying to create a bit of ownership amongst some of our younger players, the whole group really, so the guys feel it's their club.
"I think this is a really strong show from all the people involved in the footy club that this is about an all-inclusive program that is going to really help to bring young people along”.
"This is just a way to make sure the lines of communication are well and truly open”.
"It also helps to establish and nurture relationships that sometimes within a footy club are harder to nurture with the big gaps in generations."
Boyd reflected on the challenges that can confront young players within a club.
“Being a young player myself back in the day, sometimes you can feel like it's not your club”.
"You talk about leaders being born or how they are created, well, you have got to learn how to lead.
"We think we're going to be able to teach some of the young guys from an early phase in their footy career how to be leaders and to start to take the group in the direction they want to take it."
