St Kilda are weighing up whether it's time for a change in captaincy while giving skipper Nick Riewoldt an extended post-season break after an emotionally draining year.
Riewoldt remains one of the game's finest leaders, and a champion player, but coach Alan Richardson said the Saints captaincy would be put to a vote.
"As we do every year, we will get the playing and coaching group together and discuss what standards and traits we want in a St Kilda captain and there will be a vote," Richardson said on Wednesday.
"Nick has obviously been an incredible leader for many years and he may continue in the role next year if that's what is best for both him and the club. There has not been any decision made either way."
Riewoldt, who will turn 33 next week, is the longest serving skipper in the club's history, having initially held the role in 2005 under Grant Thomas' rotation system, then with Luke Ball and Hayes in 2007 under Ross Lyon and permanently by himself from a year later. Any change in leadership would be part of a succession plan, with the club also wanting to develop Paddy McCartin and Josh Bruce and interested in recruiting Essendon key position player Jake Carlisle.
Riewoldt has said in recent seasons he is open to ceding the captaincy should it be in the best interest of all parties, but the defection of Brendon Goddard to Essendon, Nick Dal Santo to North Melbourne and the retirement of Lenny Hayes had left a dearth of leadership candidates in the rebuilding club.
However, the strong leadership of Jarryn Geary and the emergence of David Armitage, both of whom had a taste of the top job this year in Riewoldt's absence, has given Richardson, his fellow coaches and club executives something to seriously ponder.
The clean-cut Armitage enjoyed the extra responsibility and has become a prominent face of the club, appearing on The Footy Show in a sign club bosses are comfortable in his maturity to handle the added spotlight.
Riewoldt, contracted until the end of 2016, has led the Saints in 199 matches, but is now more than a season away from passing the all-time record for most games as captain, held by Carlton's Stephen Kernahan (226).
He is already on holiday in Texas, where the family of his wife, Catherine, reside. It was an emotional year for Riewoldt, who lost his sister Madeleine to a rare blood disease aplastic anaemia.
Riewoldt, meticulous in his preparation, particularly in dealing with his sore knee, has generally had a delayed start to full training with teammates in recent years but has been given an extended break this year, and won't be back until January.
"As has been the case for a few years now, Nick has an extended post-season break in America," Richardson said. "He has obviously had a very challenging year so this off-season he has been granted some additional time away with family and to freshen up both physically and mentally.
"Traditionally, Nick doesn't run until Christmas anyway and he will conduct his recovery and rehabilitation sessions overseas. He is an extremely professional athlete and has a strict program tailored specifically for him so we are very confident he will return ready to go for the season. He will return to full training in early January."
Next season the 298-game veteran will become only the fifth Saint to celebrate300 games joining Barry Breen (300), Stewart Loewe (321), Nathan Burke (323) and Robert Harvey (383).
The Saints had a seven-man leadership group this year, also featuring Leigh Montagna, Sean Dempster, youngsters Mav Weller and Jack Newnes, along with Geary, Armitage and Riewoldt.
