Dunsborough's Ben Stratton has been named as the captain of the Hawthorn Football Club for 2019.
The former Augusta-Margaret River Football Club player spoke to the Mail after the announcement was made today, February 28.
"It hasn't really sunk in yet," he said.
"I've had to do all the media at the club today so it has gotten a bit more real.
"It is obviously a massive privilege and honour, especially looking at past captain's of the club, and having the baton passed from my good mate, Jarryd (Roughead).
“Titles are not something that I’ve focused on in my career, but it’s a special feeling to know you’ve been backed in by your teammates and the club."
Stratton, a triple premiership player with the Hawks, said captaining the club had never been a career aim, but in the last four years he had made a concerted effort to be more involved at a leadership level and mentor younger players.
"There were quite a few of us, especially around my age, who have stepped up and done a great job in that regard," he said.
"(Captain) was really between three or four of us, no one really knew who it would be.
"It is a relief now it is done and dusted because people have been asking non-stop. There has been huge support from the boys."
The 29-year-old defender will be supported by premiership teammate Jack Gunston as vice captain.
Liam Shiels, Isaac Smith, Ben McEvoy and Jaeger O’Meara round out the leadership group.
Stratton said he aimed to lead by example as captain.
"I've always lead by my actions on the field and how I go about it, I've done that since I walked into the Hawks," he said.
"I've always played as hard as I could, given it my all, given it a crack and I guess the club and the boys have noticed that.
"There are leaders like Sam Mitchell and Luke Hodge, who are real students of the game and very vocal, I'm not outspoken around the club so I hope to lead by example."
Selected by the Hawks with pick 46 in the 2009 AFL Draft, Stratton has since played 169 games, including the club’s three-peat between 2013 and 2015.
Considered 'a pillar of consistency', he was named Hawthorn’s Most Consistent Player in 2013, and is well respected among his peers, which was made clear when he won the Best Clubman trophy in 2015.
Awarded life membership of the club in 2018, Stratton has become a stalwart of the Hawks' backline, famed for his courage, commitment and on-field leadership.
A key to Stratton's AFL rise has been his discipline and determination, but also ensuring he enjoyed himself along the way.
"I never took myself too seriously," he said of his early years.
"I obviously had to be disciplined to get here, but I really just made the decision to knuckle down for a year and give it a crack while I was playing for East Perth.
"It wasn't like a dream to play AFL, if it worked, it worked, if it didn't, it didn't, but by knuckling down for that year, I would have always been able to say that I gave it a genuine go. I'm thankful that I got picked up and it's led to this, but I always just enjoyed myself and didn't take myself seriously - so I'm not sure I'm one to give advice to others."
This season Stratton will not only be sporting the title of captain, he will also be sporting a new look.
In December, he shaved off his iconic mullet as part of a Movember fundraiser.
He said he wasn't worried about teammates not recognising on the field, but hoped maybe it would help slip under the radar in public.
"My girlfriend is really happy and so is my Mum," he laughed.
"The two most important women in my life like it so it is important to keep them happy.
"This is a lot easier to maintain, I'll need a bit more on top for winter but that thing took 17 months to grow so even by finals it will not be at an adequate level to make a comeback."
The ever-humble South West product was in the region during the off season and added his athleticism to the Lemons T20 side.
He said he had no doubt he would eventually call the region home again.
"I'll be forever connected and I will be back living there," he said.
"I love it so much, it is just matter of time whether it is three years, five years or 10 years."
The JLT Community Series kicked off today, February 28.
The AFL season begins on March 21, with the Hawks first game on March 23 when they take on the Adelaide Crows at Adelaide Oval.
