Jamie Macmillan has been in the leadership group for the past two seasons but knows next year, the stakes will be much higher with a changing list and a raft of younger players coming through.

“We’ve always taken on a fair bit of responsibility as leaders but next year it’ll go to a whole new level because we don’t have that upper bracket there,” Macmillan said.

The 25-year-old said he’s ready to embrace the challenge and accept more responsibility.

“We have a relatively young leadership group but we have some really experienced guys around the group that have either been in leadership groups or are leaders in their own right.

“We’ll lose a fair bit of that support. It’s a challenge and we’ll take it head-on.”

With at least four spots up for grabs, the opportunity for youngsters to come into the side is an appealing one.

“It opens up so many doors that you probably don’t have to motivate these young guys as much,” Macmillan admitted.

“You can just see that they’ll come in.

“You’ve got Ed Vickers-Willis, Mitch Hibberd, Kayne (Turner), Garns (Taylor Garner).

“Spots have opened up all over the ground, dare I say, the competition will be pretty heated over summer and that can only be a good thing.”

On an individual note, Macmillan enjoyed a career-best season.

With career highs in kicks, handballs, disposals, rebound 50’s, inside 50’s and one percenters, the defender developed into one of the most reliable Roos.

This was even though he was placed into a different role at times, due to injuries.

“Early on, when the team was going well, it was just a matter of making sure we keep things the same, you’re playing your role.

“Injury struck in the middle of the year and especially losing Luke (McDonald) and Wrighty (Sam Wright).

“I was forced to change my game a little bit and I played a bit deeper in the backline, which is something I’ve never done before.

“I played on some really good small and mid-sized forwards, so it was a challenge but I learned a fair bit across the year and gained a lot of confidence from that.”

Macmillan notched three 30-disposal games in a four-week span late in the season, and was able to combine his defensive roles with plenty of run and carry.

“Towards the back end of the year, I was able to put the pieces together and worked out exactly what it was that I had to do to play good footy.

“It’s given me a lot of confidence and I’m really excited that next year, with these guys coming back, I can still play the same way.”