It’s May 2017 at Domain Stadium in Perth and Jack Redpath, in his first AFL game back from his third serious knee injury is lining up for goal.

At Etihad Stadium the week before he’d taken nine marks and kicked six goals in a commanding performance in the VFL, 287 days since injuring his ACL against St.Kilda at the same ground.

The kick, from 30 metres out and on a 45 degree angle is typical Redpath, hard, low and dead straight.  As the ball sails through mid-post height, Channel Seven’s Brian Taylor, gives a glimpse as to why the 26-year-old was elevated into the Club’s Leadership Group for the 2018 season this week.

“You watch the players get around this man here, they absolutely love him,” Taylor exclaimed in his characteristically ebullient style.

“They have come from everywhere, the Dogs.”

They had, and they do.  Even Jason Johannisen who was deep inside the defensive 50 had ran the length of the ground to congratulate the beloved big man.

On the day that Easton Wood was officially elevated to the captaincy and joined in the newly named Leadership Group alongside vice-captain Marcus Bontempelli, Jordan Roughead, Lachie Hunter and Johannisen, it was Redpath’s elevation that perhaps came as a surprise to those outside of the Club.

“I’m really excited to have him in the group.  He’s one of our hardest workers at the football club," Wood said to a gathered media at VU Whitten Oval on Monday.

“He keeps guys accountable but he’s only able to do that because he’s got some of the best relationships beyond the broader playing group and guys really respect him.”

With Robert Murphy and Matthew Boyd retiring and Dale Morris stepping aside to help the next generation grow into leadership roles, there was an opportunity to for some younger players to step up.

“We went through the process at the end of the year, through our exit meetings,” Wood explained.

“Bevo got us all to sit down when we had our individual meetings and we were asked who would be appropriate to step up to the leadership group; who was showing those positive signs and was ready for the opportunity.”  

And it was a surprise to no one at the Club that Redpath’s name figured prominently.

“If he says something, the boys listen, so it’s great to have him formally recognised.”