Clark and Stephens to captain Falcons

The 2019 Geelong Falcons leadership group (from left): Keidan Rayner, Jay Dahlhaus, Tanner Bruhn, Cooper Stephens (co-captain), Jesse Clark (co-captain), Charlie Harris and Archie Lazzaro. (krockfootball.com.au Image/Al Packer)

GEELONG Falcons will have co-captains again in 2019 with the appointment of draft hopefuls Cooper Stephens and Jesse Clark to the role.

Stephens, from Colac, and St Joseph’s product Clark will head up a seven-man leadership group that also includes Keidan Rayner, Jay Dahlhaus and Charlie Harris, with 17-year-old duo Tanner Bruhn and Charlie Lazzaro “emerging leaders”.

“Peer vote takes up a majority of the decision, then the coaches have some input as well,” first-year coach Luke Daffy said.

“They’re both great people, great leaders, (were) involved in a leadership capacity as 17-year-olds, and have been in the past.

“They’re both really excited, and so are we. We think they’ll do a really good job.”

Daffy, who replaced Daniel O’Keefe at the end of last year in the top job, is now focussed on finalising this year’s list.

Seventy-one players remain in contention for a spot ahead of this weekend’s intra-squad trial, which will be followed by practice matches against the Western Jets and GWV Rebels.

“Hopefully prior to the Jets game we’ll be reasonably close to our final 55 or 60 – whatever we end up with,” Daffy said.

“It’s been a fairly long process, but we’re nearly there.

“Sunday will be a good chance for some kids just to play footy.”

Bruhn won’t be one of those involved in the trials after undergoing knee surgery on Tuesday.

“He got some really good feedback from the surgeon,” Daffy said.

“Hopefully we can really look after him with his rehab, give him a good chance to rest and maybe back end of the season we might see him come back.

“But, being a 17-year-old and his program the last couple of years with footy and cricket, the best thing for us is to let him rest and rehab.

“We’ll bring him back when the time’s right.”

Twitter: @tom_king79