Former Port Adelaide skipper Dom Cassisi, left, at pre-season training with Brad Ebert. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: The Advertiser
DOM Cassisi says Port Adelaide was ready for a new captain.
While he was dealing with his illness he also was contemplating whether he should lead the Power for a a club record-equalling fifth consecutive year.
"I told Ken (new coach Ken Hinkley) that I was happy to do it again if he thought no one else was ready," the popular Cassisi said.
"Ken was outstanding about it. He spoke to me about the captaincy regularly but with so many changes around the place we were also looking at the start of a new era.
"We discussed getting the timing right for the club, me and the group and when you saw how well Boaky (Travis Boak) and Brad (Ebert) performed in the pre-season you could see that the time was right, that they were ready to lead.
"So together we came to that conclusion."
Boak was appointed the Power's fifth captain, joining an illustrious group made up of Gavin Wanganeen, Matthew Primus, Warren Tredrea and Cassisi. Former West Coast Eagles player Ebert was announced vice-captain.
Cassisi, right, described the decision as the right one.
"They were so ready," he said.
"As hard as it is to give up something you love the timing was ideal.
"They are the blokes who will take the club forward beyond my time, so it's an exciting time for the club."
Cassisi - who is close friends with Boak - praised Hinkley for the respect and honesty he showed him when making the decision on who would be the captain this year.
"One of Ken's strengths is his honesty and as a result of our discussions I reckon our relationship is even stronger," Cassisi said.
"It wasn't an easy decision for either of us so I really thank him for the respect he showed me."
Cassisi said he was proud of what he achieved as captain, despite the club failing to make the finals in his time as its on-field leader.
"It's probably up to my team-mates and other people to judge how I went in the role but I am pretty proud of the fact I was pretty consistent with my performances, my Monday to Friday stuff around the club and with what I was asking from the group each week," Cassisi said.
"I feel honoured to have been asked to wear the No. 1 jumper at Port Adelaide and I really feel the club has come out of its tough times and is headed for something special.
"I'm looking forward to being a part of that," he said.
Sandgroper Cassisi, who has played 203 games in 12 seasons and was a member of the Power's 2004 premiership side, is contracted for another two years and says "anything beyond that is a bonus".
He has one more goal left - to help Port return to the finals for the first time since 2007.
"The reason you play football is to play finals," he said.
"I've been lucky to have played my share (eight) but the last one was too long ago.
"I want to experience that feeling of running out there in September again."
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