Learning from two of sports greatest captains in Cameron Smith and Joel Selwood, prop Christian Welch feels being skipper of the Melbourne Storm will make him a better player.
The 28-year-old continues a long tradition at the Storm of a forward leading the club, dating all the way back to inaugural captain Glenn Lazarus.
Reformed bad boy Cameron Munster and his halves partner Jahrome Hughes, as well as young hooker Harry Grant, are his vice-captains.