Marcus Bontempelli feels better prepared for his second year as Western Bulldogs captain after enduring a "baptism of fire" in the role during a 2020 season drastically affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
The out-of-contract star will be supported by new vice-captain Mitch Wallis in a streamlined Bulldogs leadership structure in 2021, which has been trimmed from six players to two.
Wallis replaces Lachie Hunter, who relinquished the role as Bontempelli's deputy following a drink-driving incident last year.
Bontempelli made his long-awaited ascension to the captaincy 12 months ago, before the competition was thrown into turmoil by COVID-19 outbreaks around the country.
He steered the ship as the Dogs, like many clubs, spent months away from home in a Queensland hub and said he learnt valuable lessons from the experience.
"It was in a way a baptism of fire because of the circumstances that we had to face," Bontempelli said.
"At different points it was challenging, but in reflection you can understand, and once you do, you can work out how that can actually help you in the future.
"You've got to understand that as a leader you've got a lot of people around you that are there to support and help drive the football club.
"I know I've got Mitch and a bunch of the other boys to help continue to support and drive what we want to do here."
Bontempelli said the "progressive" new leadership structure is reflective of the Bulldogs playing group's growing maturity as they seek to build on last year's finals appearance.
"We're not limiting the leadership capabilities to just five or six players," Bontempelli said.
"There are certain individuals who may not be in the leadership group who get to see themselves that way and take some ownership and really have some influence.
"It's a bit of a shift but it's something that I think suits us and will hopefully continue to help us grow."
Wallis was a stand-out choice as vice-captain in a player vote, continuing his remarkable career turnaround.
The 28-year-old missed the 2016 and 2019 finals campaigns because of serious leg injuries and was reborn as a small forward last season, topping the club's goal-kicking with 25 majors.
"I'm very humbled to be appointed and for the boys to show that faith in me I am very happy, but I also know that it's all ahead of me," Wallis said.
"I'm not going to change the person I am or who I have been, but it's just all about supporting Marcus, the coaching staff and the players on this journey.
"It's really exciting and the place is full of optimism. Now it's about working hard and putting the right foot forward in the first part of the season."
The Bulldogs meet Hawthorn in a practice match on Wednesday before opening the 2021 season against Collingwood in a Friday night blockbuster on March 19.
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