Former co-captain Jarrad McVeigh won’t be taking a backward step in his approach to leadership despite him and Kieren Jack stepping down the head role and handing the reins to Josh Kennedy.

Kennedy was last week sworn in the stand-along captain for season 2017, halting a decade-long tradition of co-captains at the Sydney Swans Football Club.

It also ends McVeigh and Jack’s four-year reign at the helm, the latter taking over from Adam Goodes in 2013 after the Goodes-McVeigh stint over 2011-12.

McVeigh, 31, declared the succession’s timing was right and couldn’t think of a candidate more suited for the role.

Instead of stepping down completely, both McVeigh and Jack will remain as key members of the eight-man leadership group.

“For me, Joey was the one to take us through,” McVeigh said.

“I couldn’t be more rapt for Josh, his performances week after week speaks for itself.

“His leadership will evolve and we’ll be right there to help him along the way.

“I’m not going to be taking a backward step, I’ll always be looking to improve the group and help drive us forward.”

As well as the leadership, McVeigh is throwing all his energy behind a big pre-season in the hope of improving on a self-labelled “disappointing” year in 2016.

He averaged 20 disposals over 21 matches following a slow start to the year in which the veteran endured a calf complaint and an interrupted pre-season.

“I was really disappointed with my year last year, a really poor year personally,” he conceded.

“I really wanted to get stuck into this pre-season, get my body right and hopefully lead into a good year

“Looking forward to getting back out there after Christmas.”