Why Lyon would keep Demon co-captains

Melbourne champion Garry Lyon says the Demons should continue with the co-captain framework of Nathan Jones and Jack Viney in 2019.

The duo led Melbourne to a drought-breaking finals berth this season, but with Jones set to turn 31 next year, some have wondered if it is the right time for him to pass the mantle onto Viney as an individual skipper.

However, Lyon believes Viney’s injury history is the main reason why the captaincy should continue to be shared for another year.

SIGN UP FOR NBA TIPPING - Tip Friday to Sunday each week and set up a league with your mates! Win NBL Courtside seats every week and Boomers v USA tickets.

“The fellow who is about to take over has had two interrupted seasons of footy, Jack Viney,” Lyon told SEN Breakfast.

“He has missed large chunks of footy, has for the best part of his career, because of the nature that he plays.

“I think another year would allow Jack to continue he gets the balance right between able to play in the manner he does and physically being able to get there everyday.”

Former Essendon captain Tim Watson explained how nobody would disparage Jones if he decided to pass on the captaincy.

“I admire him as much as any AFL player going around now,” Watson said.

“His finals series, however, was average.

“If I was Nathan Jones, I would be having a long hard look at where I am as a player, what I’m able to produce, what this next season may look like for me, and I would be having that conversation with Simon Goodwin about the possibility of maybe handing the captaincy in.

“Saying look, I think I’m at a stage in my football career now, I’ve carried this football club.

“He has been a beacon of light for that football club for a long time, he can say I would like now to selfishly just get to the point where I can concentrate on myself and my preparation without all the other distractions, without all the other obligations that I have as a captain, and I would hand it back to Melbourne now.”

SEN Breakfast with Garry Lyon and Tim Watson can be heard Monday-Friday 6-9am, and you can subscribe to the podcast here.