Maxwell named new Collingwood skipper

THE FAMOUS No.5 will return to the most esteemed role at Collingwood after the Magpies appointed Nick Maxwell as captain of the club.

Maxwell, the versatile defender who has played 95 AFL matches, takes over the leadership reins from recently-retired star Scott Burns.

Maxwell will head up a six-man leadership group announced by Collingwood president Eddie McGuire and senior coach Mick Malthouse at a press conference on Wednesday.

Josh Fraser and Scott Pendlebury are joint vice-captains, while Shane O’Bree and Dane Swan have been named deputy vice-captains. Tarkyn Lockyer is also part of the leadership group.

Burns held the captaincy post in 2008 after assuming it from long-time skipper and club legend Nathan Buckley – who wore the No.5 guernsey which has become so famous at the club.

Upon retiring Buckley handed over his famous jumper to Maxwell, with many rightly believing at the time that the former Geelong Falcon would one day assume the main leaders’ role at the Lexus Centre.

And on Wednesday the club appointed Maxwell as the 45th captain in its history.

Somewhat fittingly, the 25-year-old’s appointment comes just a day after the NAB AFL Rookie Draft. It was via that draft that the hard-nosed Magpie made his way to the top level.

Overlooked in the national draft of 2001, Maxwell was forced to play VFL football for a season and impressed with North Ballarat.

Collingwood selected Maxwell with pick 15 in the 2003 rookie draft. After making his senior debut the following year he was elevated to the Magpies’ senior list, where he has since become a permanent fixture in the club’s backline.

During his time at the Magpies the ever-reliable Maxwell has developed into one of Collingwood’s toughest and most respected players.

He was among the Magpies’ best players in each of the club’s two finals appearances, especially in Collingwood’s win over the Crows in Adelaide.

That day, as he has showed in the past when pinch-hitting in attack, the defender displayed he has more than one string to his bow when he performed an exceptional run-with role on Crows midfield star Scott Thompson.