Melbourne should not be in a rush to make Jack Viney sole captain of the club, writes Jay Clark

A decade ago, Melbourne made a big mistake when the club ditched skipper James McDonald for two young kids. JAY CLARK says the Demons have to learn from that error when it comes to Jack Viney and Nathan Jones.

Melbourne faces a big call on its captaincy. Picture: Getty Images

Jack Viney has been a captain in waiting ever since he walked into Melbourne.

Nicknamed “The general”, this flared-nostril ballwinner has the same courageous and combative presence as a younger Joel Selwood and Luke Hodge.

And over the next few months, Melbourne will consider giving him the sole captaincy, as the Demons plot a path towards a fairytale flag.

We all know Viney, 24, would fit the role at some point in his career as comfortably as your favourite pair of jeans.

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But would it be disrespectful to strip the honour from co-captain Nathan Jones in the year the Demons threaten to break the game’s longest premiership drought?

In truth, there’s probably no one more deserving to get first hands on a cup, if Melbourne was to go all the way, than the man who helped lead it out of the dark days of 2012-13.

He’s shown incredible loyalty, and patience, over that time, the No. 12 pick.

And sources suggest Jones remains as influential as ever in the locker room, with an increasing red and blue support cast now including superstar ruckman Max Gawn, ace swingman Tom McDonald and veteran Jordan Lewis.

Nathan Jones and Jack Viney helped Melbourne reach the finals in 2018. Picture: AAP Images

Forward Jake Melksham said the co-captaincy arrangement worked well this year with Jones and Viney complimenting each other.

“It’s been good for Nathan having Jack in there as a younger guy, and it’s also been good for Jack (having Jones) showing him the way,” Melksham told SEN radio.

“And they can share the load. There’s a lot of media that goes on, there’s lot of events they have to go to. I think it works pretty well.”

The club made a huge blunder cutting former skipper James McDonald from the list almost a decade ago, and handing the co-captaincy to Jack Grimes and Jack Trengove, before their time. McDonald wanted to go around again, and did so at GWS Giants.

So what’s the harm, now, in allowing Jones and Viney to share the duties for a third-straight season?

Especially as Viney was hindered by a foot problem for a second-straight year, frustratingly playing only 10 games this year, including a massive finals series.

But here’s where it becomes a bit more delicate.

Jones turns 31 before the start of next season, and even he would admit his form tapered off at the end of last season, with 15 possessions, 19 and 18 in the three finals.

Nathan Jones has been through all the tough times at Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

Coach Simon Goodwin will squeeze running machine Kade Kolodjashnij into a stacked midfield after picking him up from Gold Coast over the trade period, making spots at Melbourne more competitive than they have been in about two decades.

But even as Jones charts towards 300 games, he is far from washed up. He finished fourth in the best-and-fairest last year. There is a huge role for him to play next year, especially as the expectations rise for Melbourne once again.

For all the gun young talent on the Dees’ list, clubs seem to be paying more respect to their elder statesmen and experienced foot soldiers, these days.

Look at Hodge’s influence at Brisbane this year, for example, and the fight to keep Jarrad McVeigh playing at the Sydney Swans.

As tempting as it may be to make Viney the face of the club in 2019, perhaps Melbourne can learn from past mistakes, when it comes to its veteran leaders.

THE FIVE BIGGEST CAPTAINCY CONUNDRUMS

Adelaide

Taylor Walker was named the AFL’s best captain in 2017, but things went pear-shaped last season. There has been calls for change from Adelaide greats and Rory Sloane appears to be next in line.

Hawthorn

Jarryd Roughead will play on for another season, but Isaac Smith and Liam Shiels are ready to step up. There is no more beloved figure at Hawthorn than Roughead but others are ready to shoulder more load.

Will Jarryd Roughead continue to captain Hawthorn beyond this year? Picture: Getty Images

Melbourne

Is it time to make Jack Viney Melbourne’s main man, allowing Nathan Jones to focus more on his own game in his 14th season?

Port Adelaide

Ollie Wines is tipped to take over from Travis Boak after six seasons in charge. The Power have been a big disappointment since finishing third in 2014, playing finals only once since then.

Western Bulldogs

Marcus Bontempelli is the heir apparent, but he remains unsigned beyond next season. A contract extension over the next month or two could rubber-stamp a takeover from Easton Wood.