December 06, 2006
THE only disappointment Luke Darcy feels about losing the Western Bulldogs captaincy is that he had such wretched luck in the role.
This year's All-Australian captain Brad Johnson will formally take over the role from Darcy after two years as caretaker skipper at the AFL club, while Scott West will be vice-captain.
Two knee reconstructions effectively sidelined Darcy for the last two seasons, while Johnson has won his fourth and fifth All-Australian berths as he flourished in the captaincy role.
Coach Rodney Eade said the decision was difficult, but the match committee wanted Darcy to concentrate on his long-awaited playing comeback.
"Afterwards, I didn't think 'this is negative for me', I haven't had any of that feeling at all," Darcy said.
"In fact, it's probably been the other way.
"If I was on the match committee and I had a vote, being independent, I probably would have chosen the way they've gone as well – that's the only way you can feel.
"The only disappointment is I didn't get to do it, the disappointment isn't in the decision because I agree with it."
Darcy became captain when Eade took over as coach last year, but lasted only six games before he suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Then, in the last training session before Christmas last year, he went down with the same injury and needed another dreaded "reco".
While Darcy has suffered on the sidelines, he has enjoyed watching the 'Dogs progress to semi-finalists this year.
One of the highlights of their resurgence has been Johnson's outstanding form as a strong-marking forward.
"Without pumping him up too much, because I know he won't enjoy it, he's come off the best season I reckon I've seen anyone have in my 13 years in the game," Darcy said of Johnson.
"It's a great position to be in, that you've got someone who's so ready to go and probably four or five others that you could easily say could be captain."
Johnson described the official captaincy announcement as "a fantastic honour", but emphasised the development of the team in the last two years.
"The biggest thing in regards to leadership at this footy club – it's not about one person out the front, it's about the whole group," he said.
"We do really rely on a lot of blokes in the group to display leadership.
"The whole group under Rodney and the (other) coaches' guidance has just developed over the last couple of years."
AAP
