Jarrad McVeigh is far too selfless to say as much, but the Sydney co-captain has taken his leadership to an elite level in the AFL.
McVeigh has delivered a career-best year in the reigning premiers’ season of need.
Down on leadership due to the absence of Adam Goodes and other veterans for most of the season, the 28-year-old’s voice has grown even louder compared to that which helped guide Sydney to their 2012 premiership.
Minus half-back generals Marty Mattner and Rhyce Shaw, McVeigh’s adopted a foreign role and done such a good job of it he earned All-Australian honours for the first time since being drafted in 2002.
Last Saturday night McVeigh was back in the midfield for the side’s semi-final against Carlton, a match he was purported to be in doubt for due to suffering a knee injury in week one of the finals.
With the Swans a goal ahead but two men down at quarter-time after injuries to Kurt Tippett and Tom Mitchell, their season was in the balance.
McVeigh’s response was a finals-record 20 disposals in the second term and a career-best 42 touches for the match.
“His presence was massive. Not just the possessions, but also the way he goes about it. It’s his voice and instruction on the field,” said 19-year-old teammate Harry Cunningham, who was mentored by McVeigh in his first year at the club.
On top of being one of their best kicks and most resilient players, McVeigh is like an on-field coach for the Swans.
Against the Blues he did it superbly: setting up stoppage structures, organising forward surges and – in the last quarter – settling the defence.
“I hope so,” he replied when asked if his leadership had lifted to another level after Adam Goodes stepped down in March this year.
“We’ve got so many good leaders at the footy club, it’s not down to me or (fellow co-captain) Kieren Jack to be the voice or the main guy … it’s that whole group.”
That’s definitely true of the Swans, but equally there’s no doubting who is their main man.
In 2012, it was Goodes who delivered an inspirational address at the club’s Hall of Fame function that doubles as the official guernsey presentation and season launch.
This March, McVeigh performed the call to arms.
“Are you hungry? Are you ready to step up? Do you want to get better?” McVeigh asked of the club’s young and fringe players, naming names.
Like coach John Longmire, McVeigh demands a certain standard from his teammates.
When they do not deliver, fall foul of the Swans’ way, or simply could be doing things better in matches based on his reading of the play – McVeigh will let them know. Loudly.
“I think you’ve got to be loud out there, because the crowd is so loud. I see that as one of my strengths, seeing what happens out in the game and trying to organise the boys,” he said.
“That’s what they expect me to do. All the leaders are doing that, so we’re all screaming as loud as we can to get things done.”
At times it looks angry. Savage even.
“We’re all like that out there. Guys are blunt and harsh to me, but there’s nothing personal about it,” he said of the sprays.
“It’s just what I see and you live by that if it’s the wrong decision … but I’d rather say something than do nothing.”
McVeigh has come a long way from the teenager that often spent school holidays at Windy Hill, hanging out with older brother Mark and marvelling at the inner sanctum of Essendon.
With Mark retiring in 2012 after 232 games for the Bombers and now working in Sydney with AFL NSW, the pair regularly meet over lunch at Moore Park and talk footy and life.
Mark can’t help but marvel at his younger brother’s development since winning the Swans’ best and fairest award in 2008.
“When you look back compared to five years ago, he’s just grown into a fantastic leader and someone that sets their high standards,” Mark McVeigh told AAP.
“He demands it from his teammates and they respect him for it.
“If you ask them to do something and you can’t do it yourself, then you’ll go nowhere. But he’s able to do it. I think he’s in career-best form.”