Robbie Tarrant will aim to lead by example on the field, in his new role as vice-captain.

The key-defender was named in North’s leadership group for the first time on Thursday, something he wouldn’t he admitted he wouldn’t have contemplated earlier in his career.

“I think a couple of years ago, if you had have said I would be in this position, I would have been indifferent to it,” Tarrant said.

“But the last couple of years I’ve been able to look after my own backyard and play some regular football and that’s put me in the position.

“I think it’s important you are out there and playing; it’s very hard to lead when you are in the gym.”

Tarrant had a career-best season in 2016 and was a popular choice among his teammates for a leadership position.

“The on-field stuff is the way I lead and I’m really looking forward to that added responsibility out there,” he said.

“I’m looking to improve and looking to make the younger boys on our list improve as well.

“I’m just super-excited to be in the role.”

Tarrant admits it will take him some time to get used to the new title.

“It’s my first time in the leadership group as well, so I feel like there’s a lot of scope to improve there,” he said.

“It’s something I’ve worked with Jack (Ziebell) and a few of the other leaders on over the last 6-12 months and tried to develop.

“I’m well aware that I’ve got a lot of development left.”

Alongside Tarrant, North’s new-look leadership group features Jack Ziebell as captain, Jamie Macmillan (deputy vice-captain), Shaun Higgins (deputy vice-captain) and Andrew Swallow.