There are many different types of leaders in sport. There are vocal leaders, leaders by example, leaders who motivate and leaders who comfort, but the best leaders are a combination of all these things and more.

Despite being just months into his AFL journey, North Melbourne’s Eddie Ford approaches leadership with a maturity and wisdom far beyond his years.

He says the best type of leaders in football are those who lay it all on the line for their teammates and possess the ability to be counted on in the tough moments.

“Leadership is a pretty broad term. It has a lot to do with the way you carry yourself naturally,” Ford told North Media.

“My approach is to just be the best person and the best leader I can be. Each time I engage in someone or step onto the track there’s no tangible goal I hope for, in terms of captain or boss, captain or leadership group or whatever.

“It’s just about constantly having that vision to be the best you can be for your teammates in the club … [I want to] be remembered as a great teammate. Someone the boys liked playing footy with and someone who can always be counted on.”

With fellow draftees Will Phillips, Tom Powell and Charlie Lazzaro all making their AFL debuts at this early stage of the season, Ford has tangible evidence that senior coach David Noble will reward a young player’s hard work and dedication to his craft.

While his immediate goal is to make his AFL debut, Ford says his approach to life off the field will help him achieve the lifelong ambition of playing at the highest level.

“I think one of my motivations in life, as for most people as well, is just to be the best person I can … outside of footy, what you’re doing there, is great motivation,” he said.

“I think just being the best person you can [be], doing all the right things to fulfil that, that’s very important too.

“Not only will it benefit you, but it benefits the people around you just being a good person.”