New Geelong leadership group member Mitch Duncan says the honour of being selected will push him to take his game to the next level.

Duncan, 22, becomes the youngest player in the eight man leadership group that includes Joel Selwood as captain, Harry Taylor as vice captain, as well as Tom Hawkins, Andrew Mackie, James Kelly and fellow new inclusion Mathew Stokes.

Duncan spoke of what the inclusion meant to him.

“Obviously it is a nice feeling, I’m very privileged and honoured to be a part of a group that has got so much respect through the whole AFL community.”

“It’s great that the boys voted for me and I can’t wait to get in the role.”

With the Cats list in transition but still very much in contention for a fourth flag in seven years, Duncan understands the role he will play.

“Obviously Sel (Joel Selwood) went through at a very young age and look where he is now.” Duncan said.

“I’m just at the point where I’ll be able to learn a lot more about the footy club and the way it is run.”

“I can be the in-between man for the younger guys and the senior guys.”

With increased responsibility comes increased pressure but Duncan said he is focused on using the role to better his game.

“I won’t be changing too much.”

“I’d love to take my game to the next level with more responsibility.

“I’d love to be the one to step up when the game’s on the line and be the person that drives the team across the line. “

As in 2013, 2014 sees the departure of a club legend from the leadership group with former vice captain Jimmy Bartel following in the footsteps of Corey Enright and paving the way for younger blood in the team’s hierarchy.

“Our respect for those guys is  huge and to have them not in the leadership group is quite sad, but they want to focus on their footy and they are getting close to the end of their careers so we need a couple of the younger guys standing up and taking their positions.” Duncan said.

“We can still bounce so many ideas off them which is great to have that experience there.”

The inclusion of Stokes in the leadership group, just four years after being suspended by the same group for a highly publicized indiscretion was perhaps the greatest indication of the success of the Geelong culture.

“He’s had a massive preseason and the last couple of years he’s taken his game to the next level.” Duncan said.

“He has the voice out on the training track and he’s a ruthless competitor.”

“He’s come a long way since I came to the club and I can’t wait to start working with him.”

The Cats kick off 2014 next Thursday night against Adelaide at Simonds Stadium.