Jackson Trengove and Mitch Wallis have been elevated to the Western Bulldogs’ six-man leadership group for the 2019 season.
Easton Wood will captain the Bulldogs for a second consecutive season, while 2018 members Marcus Bontempelli (vice-captain), Lachie Hunter and Jason Johannisen will remain in official leadership roles.
Trengove was a member of Port Adelaide’s leadership group before he joined the Club at the end of the 2017 season.
The Dogs will enter 2019 with one of the youngest playing lists in the competition, and 28-year old Trengove is hoping to be a strong influence in his elevated leadership role.
“To have an influence on the group and to get the tick of approval from the boys and the coaching staff in my second year at the club (is a big achievement),” said Trengove.
“Being a little bit older and a little bit more experienced, I’ll be able to be a sounding board for the younger players.
“We’ve all got different personalities and different styles of leadership. I think we’ll be able to form a really strong group and be able to lead this football club going forward.”
Wallis, in his eighth season at VU Whitten Oval, joins the Bulldogs’ leadership group for the first time.
“To be formally recognised as a leader is a tremendous honour,” said Wallis.
“Leadership groups across the AFL are really important and I think we’ve got a really strong one, led by Easton and Marcus, who have been in those roles for a few years now.
“The six of us all bring different strengths to the group. We’ll put our club and our teammates first with our decision making.”
Wood said the opportunity to captain the Club for another season was a privilege.
“It’s really special to be able to lead any group, but I think with this group, we’ve got a really exciting young bunch,” he said.
“Jackson and Mitch are both really different and unique characters, and they’ll both bring their own strengths.
“They’ll both lead in different ways but be great additions to the group.”