AFL 2022: Jarryn Geary steps down as St Kilda co-captain, Jack Steele set to takeover

Jarryn Geary has stepped down as St Kilda co-captain after five seasons leading the Saints, saying now is the right time to step aside

Veteran Jarryn Geary has stepped down as St Kilda co-captain after five seasons leading the Saints.

The 33-year-old, who shared the role with Jack Steele in 2021 but only played three matches due to a broken leg and shoulder injury, told teammates of his decision in a meeting at Moorabbin on Tuesday.

Two-time All-Australian Steele looms as being the Saints’ sole skipper this year.

“I’m not standing aside because I’ve had enough of doing the job, I just think it’s the right time,” Geary said in a video on St Kilda’s website.

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Jarryn Geary is set to step down as St Kilda co-captain, after five years as skipper. Picture: Michael Klein.

“I think we’ve got some great leaders that are going to take this club forward and I think it’s the best thing for the footy club … and the best thing for myself as well.

“It’s something I’ve really loved doing, something I’m really proud to have been able to do.

“Knowing that I’ve had your support in leading you out each week is something that I’ll cherish.”

Geary became captain ahead of the 2017 campaign, taking over from St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt, the club’s longest-serving skipper.

The gritty defender played 42 matches in his first two seasons at the helm, before injuries – a broken leg and quad surgery – curtailed him in 2019.

Geary and Brett Ratten spoke 12 months ago about the Eaglehawk product standing aside, but the coach was keen for him to continue.

Jack Steele is set to takeover as sole captain, after sharing the role with Geary in 2021. Picture: Michael Klein.

“The people that have come before me that are legends of the club, I’ve always spoke how uncomfortable I have been to sit alongside their names,” Geary told teammates.

“But it’s something I’ve really grown to love, loved the title and leading you guys.

“I love this footy club … and hopefully I’ll get out there a few more times this year.”

Geary said he would be really supportive of whoever was chosen to lead the Saints in 2022.

“Steeley did a terrific job last year and I’m sure he’ll get endorsed again, whether he does it by himself or with others, we’ll wait and see,” he said.

“I’m not just going to abdicate responsibility and put my feet up and not help drive the club forward.

“I’m still going to be part of that, whether or not it’s in a formal or informal position.”

St Kilda is expected to start the leadership process in the coming days.

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St Kilda has turned to renowned soccer coach Ernie Merrick to act as a mentor for Brett Ratten during the coming AFL season.

Merrick, who masterminded two A-League premierships at Melbourne Victory, has been a keen observer at Saints training since players returned to the club this month.

St Kilda head of footy David Rath approached Merrick for the role after the pair had previously crossed paths at the Victorian Institute of Sport.

Ratten said he was excited about leveraging Merrick’s experience — the Scotsman was twice named A-League coach of the year, had a stint in charge of Hong Kong’s national team and also coached Wellington Phoenix and Newcastle Jets.

“It’s just somebody I can talk to that knows what we are trying to do and then someone who I can talk to about certain things,” Ratten told the Herald Sun.

“He has a lot of experience and he knows what a good culture looks like, he knows what a good program looks like and to educate and things like that.

“(It’s) just someone with some fresh eyes to have a look at what we are trying to achieve and my role in that as well.”

Merrick, who moved to Australia in 1975, said his role at Moorabbin would not have a strict definition.

“I’m just a good listener and I just want to be someone who can listen and make good suggestions and discuss some of the issues that maybe Brett is dealing with that I might have dealt with at some stage,” he said.

“And I can give him an opinion on as a fairly upfront and honest person who is a little bit separate from the club and has an unbiased view on things.”

Merrick said he had been extremely impressed with Ratten, who is out of contract at the end of the year and desperate to help the Saints break the game’s longest premiership drought.

“To me coaching is two things — you coach a team but you manage individuals,” Merrick said.

Merrick and Ratten watch the players go through their paces at training. Picture: supplied

“Sometimes there are big personalities involved and you are trying to manage individuals so I think it’s more a management side than a tactical side I will be involved in.

“And what I can gather after being involved for three weeks or so is that Brett Ratten is a very good coach, he knows what he is doing and he is surrounded by good coaches and has a very good up and coming young team.”

Merrick’s first taste of Aussie rules was a St Kilda home game soon after he moved to Australia and said he later became acquainted with Saints stars such as Trevor Barker, Jeff Sarau and Robbie Muir after they crashed a party at his house.

Merrick said he had also shared ideas in the past with footy coaches such as Alastair Clarkson, Damien Hardwick, Brendon Lade and Mark Williams.