WANGARATTA’S Jai Canny is hoping his promotion to co-captain will bring him a change of luck on the injury front as the Magpies attempt to climb back into the Ovens and Murray top five.
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Canny, who will join Matt Kelly in the top job, has been restricted to nine, 10 and 11 senior appearances in the past three years due to a series of setbacks.
“It’s always something I thought I wouldn’t mind doing and it’s a big honour,” Canny, 25, said.
“Hopefully I can do half the job people like ‘Juddy’ (Judd Porter), ‘Lappo’ (Jason Lappin) and ‘Henners’ (Jon Henry) did.
“It’s the first pre-season I have done for a while after being in Melbourne and injured and hopefully I can play a bit more footy than I have for a few years.
“It’s been good so far.”
Canny, who has played 93 senior matches for Wangaratta since debuting for the Magpies in their 2007 premiership season, is a former third grade skipper at Norm Minns Oval.
Youngsters Jason Cook, Ben Henwood and Riley Judd will be coach Mark Knobel’s vice-captains under Kelly and Canny.
Canny said he believed Wangaratta was ahead of where it was last year.
“It’s hard to judge because we have only played a scratch match, but I think we are in better shape,” he said.
“Hopefully we can get back into the top five again.
“There are a lot of teams fighting for spots though.”
Canny holds veteran status at Wangaratta along with Daine and Judd Porter, Jamie Allan, Aaron Braden, Kelly and Luke Mullins and said it was exciting to see the young brigade leading the way on the track.
“Everyone is super keen with the young blokes flying,” he said.
“They have been really impressive.”
Wangaratta will launch its season against Corowa-Rutherglen on April 12.