JED ADCOCK admits it was tough losing the Brisbane Lions captaincy, but says there is no hard feelings towards replacement skipper Tom Rockliff.

After two years in the job – sharing duties with Jonathan Brown in 2013 and going solo in 2014 – Adcock was shuffled aside during the pre-season to make way for man-in-waiting Rockliff.

In an open discussion with AFL.com.au, Adcock says he was hopeful of leading the young Lions for another year, but since the decision has been made he has seen the positives in taking a back seat.

Off the field he has less commitments and can spend more time with his young family, and on the field he can help the young leadership group and concentrate more on his own game – including a new role on the wing.

Adcock says now the dust has settled, his role has hardly changed at all.

"It was hard early. I was pretty keen to go around for another year," he said.

"I was under no illusions. I understood 'Rocky' was definitely going to take over. Whether it was this year or next year was probably the only decision the club had to make.

"The club thought this year was the right year for him to take over.

"Once I was able to get my head around that and understand that and realise nothing really changes for me – other than I don't have a title next to your name – it's all fine.

"We're all men and we're all here for one common goal, to win premierships."

Adcock led the Lions through an extremely difficult phase when there was enormous upheaval on and off the field.

He was at the helm when Michael Voss was sacked, Justin Leppitsch welcomed, a boardroom spill, a bunch of young players walking out and an even bigger bunch walking in.

Adcock, 29, has played 186 games since his debut in 2004 and says he is happy helping Rockliff and vice-captains Daniel Rich, Dayne Zorko and Pearce Hanley.

"There was never going to be any angst towards Tom in any way," Adcock said.

"Tom didn't make this decision, the club thought he was the right man. I've got no hard feelings against Tom at all. I wish Tom all the best and he's shown over the first few months in the role he's handled himself really well.

"Tom and I have a really good relationship and will continue to work together."

As for his own game, the veteran believes it might even help it a bit.

Leppitsch has shuffled him from his customary half-back role on to a wing, where he can keep the Lions' width and direct traffic at stoppages.

"One thing when I was captain you forget about is making sure you've got your own game in check," he said.

"That probably took me half a year to get a grasp on that, instead of worrying about everything else going on around you.

"The main reason you are captain is because of the things you've done. People generally follow the lead you set."

And just because he doesn't have the 'c' next to his name any more, Adcock doesn't plan on changing a thing.