Nick Riewoldt says he would have handed St Kilda captaincy to Brendon Goddard Essendon recruit Brendon Goddard in his new colours. NICK Riewoldt would have handed the St Kilda captaincy to Brendon Goddard if he had not quit the club to join Essendon. Nick Riewoldt was yesterday appointed St Kilda skipper for the eighth season. However, he revealed today he had been happy to hand over the captaincy, but the prime candidate left to join the Bombers as a free agent. "I thought if BJ (Goddard) was still at the club it would have been him this year, and I was more than happy for that to occur - and for anyone else to step into the role," Riewoldt said. Riewoldt hinted at an issue facing the club in trying to find the next generation of leaders. The Saints have a large group of veterans aged 29 and over and a crop of emerging youngsters, but few experienced players in between. The issue was acknowledged with the inclusion of Ben McEvoy, James Gwilt, David Armitage, Sean Dempster and Jarryn Geary in the leadership group, with a group of elder statesmen nominated to mentor an "emerging leaders" group. "The club went for a bit of a change in the leadership group with three younger guys stepping into the group and they just wanted some stability at the top," Riewoldt said. It's now our job as the senior guys - myself, Lenny, Milney, Blakey, all those guys - to make sure we promote some of the younger guys so sooner rather than later someone else can step into the role. Summer Barometer: See how the Saints are shaping up Asked on SEN if he had tried to talk Goddard out of leaving, Riewoldt said: "Absolutely, definitely. He's one of my great mates, was one of the groomsmen at my wedding, and nothing will change there as far as our friendship goes (but) I certainly wanted him to stay a St Kilda player. But at the end of the day it's his decision and I respect the decision he's made.