Dane Rampe says he’s relishing the challenge of co-captaincy as he prepares to lead the Sydney Swans in his second year at the top.

The All Australian defender stamped another indelible mark on his journey from multiple draft knock-backs to star of the league when he was catapulted into the role ahead of season 2019.

And as Sydney’s reigning Bob Skilton medallist gets set to again spearhead the Swans alongside Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker, he says he’s thriving off his leadership post.

“It’s going well, I’m loving it, I’m really enjoying it,” Rampe told AFL.com.au.

“We’ve got such a great group of not only young players, but young men and boys waiting to become men who have great heads on their shoulders. Helping and guiding them gives me a real buzz, and empowering them to be better people and footballers is something I’m really excited by.”

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Copy link Link copied to clipboard Rampe speaks to AFL.com.au Co-captain Dane Rampe looks ahead to the 2020 season with AFL.com.au's Damien Barrett.

Rampe is at the helm of the second-youngest club in the AFL and the third-least experienced – and a significant percentage of fresh-faced Swans join him in defence.

The retirements of acclaimed defenders Jarrad McVeigh, Heath Grundy and Nick Smith have presented an opportunity for the likes of youngsters Lewis Melican, Ryley Stoddart and Colin O’Riordan to become AFL regulars.

Decorated forward Lance Franklin and young gun Callum Mills round out the Swans’ 2020 leadership panel.

Mills was elevated to the leadership group during the 2019 pre-season at the age of just 21, while Franklin’s recent appointment is an indication of his ever-evolving value.

Never before in 15 seasons with Hawthorn and Sydney had the seventh-greatest goal-kicker of all time been a member of a leadership group.

However, the All Australian selectors gave a nod to his leadership qualities when they named him as captain of the star-studded 2018 team.

Rampe had been on Sydney’s list for just one season when Franklin moved from the Hawks to the Swans at the completion of season 2013, but the gun duo has since played a wealth of footy together.

Rampe is in awe of Franklin the leader and person.

“His journey at the Swans has been quite incredible, really. I didn’t know what to think of Bud when he first got here, but the first opinion I generated of him was that he’s incredibly generous and an incredibly loyal person. He’s so generous with his time and is always wanting the best for everyone around him,” Franklin said.

“He can also be quite shy, he has a close group of mates and he treats them like family – and that’s something I was really taken aback by when he got here.

“His development as a person – we all know what he can do as a player, but how he’s changed over the last six years has been incredible.

“To be voted into the leadership group for 2020 is a credit to him and his character and testament to the fact that he’s always wanting to improve. He’d have every reason to sit back and enjoy what he’s done and what he’ll probably continue to do, but the way he’s taken advice on board and driven the group is quite impressive.”

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