Phil Davis says it’s a Giant honour to continue in GWS leadership role

Phil Davis has led the way Callan Ward at GWS since the club’s inception and that will continue in 2019, establishing him among the longest serving leaders in the competition.

GWS leaders Callan Ward, Phil Davis and Stephen Coniglio.

Phil Davis insists he doesn’t have all the answers and the day he thinks he does will probably be the death of his enduring leadership role at the Giants.

The 28-year-old will continue alongside Callan Ward as GWS co-captain for the eighth straight season with vice-captains Stephen Coniglio and Josh Kelly plus Matt de Boer rounding out the five-man group, the club announced.

Davis and Ward have led the way since the club’s inaugural season in 2012 and are the longest serving leaders in the competition, alongside Geelong’s Joel Selwood.

“As soon you think you can’t get any better in that area (leadership) you will stagnate and lose your ability to lead people,” Davis told The Daily Telegraph.

GWS leaders Callan Ward, Phil Davis and Stephen Coniglio.

“You’re always still growing and developing in this role, being scrutinised, being tested. I think that makes you a better leader. Firstly, you yourself have to make sure that you’re living up to the behaviours that you expect your teammates to follow.

“You need to do the little things well, you need to perform well in big games and be a real barometer for people to look at and say that’s what we expect.

“Secondly, it’s about helping teach and grow people. It’s about passing on information and helping others. A lot of the time that’s in a supportive way and reaffirming good behaviours but sometimes in a challenging way.”

As for his co-captain, Davis has nothing but respect for another fierce competitor for whom only the best will do.

“I think what makes us work well is that our core pillars are very much aligned,” Davis said. “We have a pretty common view on what high performance looks like and what a good culture looks like.”

“Having similar views and beliefs and values is vital so you can actually spend most of your time on actually trying to implement things and make sure you and the group are behaving in a way that we think is best for success.

“We have a hungry group who want to be very successful and win a premiership.

“That’s where our behaviours and culture has to align to.”