For 13 seasons and 194 games, Jamie Elliott has been able to just play footy.
With no obvious responsibilities outside of being one of the black and white’s live wire forwards, Elliott has plied his trade consistently and with flair.
But in 2025, that will change just slightly, for the 32-year-old has entered the leadership group for the first time since joining the Club in late 2011.
Admittedly, it’s not something the man who is just 13 majors away from 300 career goals has ever pushed for, but that hasn’t made this week’s announcement any less satisfying for him.
“It’s not something that I’ve ever pushed my name into so for me it’s more around how I conduct myself around the Club, with training standards and playing,” he said.
“I feel like what I do out on the field speaks for itself more so, so I feel like I do lead by example in that aspect.
“But the other stuff, I’m a very private person away from the club so maybe that has impacted why I’ve never pushed for it, but I’m super grateful that I’ve been voted by my peers.
“It’s something that I don’t take lightly and I’m excited to be a part of it and hopefully I can add something to the group.”
That it’s taken until his 14th season to earn an ‘official’ badge as part of the leadership group might come as a shock, but Elliott has been a leader in his own respect for countless seasons.
And now that his maturity and experience in the system is growing every day, it seems 2025 is the perfect time for Elliott to pin that metaphorical badge to his black and white stripes on game day.
“It’s not saying I need a title to lead because I felt like without a title, I still did that, but hopefully I can just be a voice, especially for the forwards,” he said.
“We haven’t had a forward leader in the leadership group for a number of years and now we’ve got myself and Dan (McStay) so that’s exciting and I’m looking forward to it.
“Especially as I’m getting a little bit older and more mature and experienced, I feel like my role changes a bit. I’m more looking at how I get the best out of other guys, especially in the forward line, how do I get them to play their best footy when it matters.
“Especially guys with different personalities who respond differently to feedback or criticism, or you need to pump them up, I feel like that’s my role.”
A core element of Elliott’s leadership style will be playing and sticking to his individual strengths, something he’s learnt off the captains and star players that he’s ran out alongside for over a decade.
“I’m not going to change much, I’m going to still be me and play my footy, but it’s probably more meetings,” he laughed.
“People all lead in different ways. If you look at Maxi (Nick Maxwell), Pendles, Darcy (Moore), they’re so different, but they’ve got similar attributes in terms of how they lead.
“People want to follow, but it’s just being myself which is number one. Those guys epitomise that, especially Darcy, it’s just be yourself and don’t be someone you’re not and bring your own personality to it.”
And in news that will excite Pies fans, Elliott said he is feeling primed with the squad now just over a fortnight out from their Opening Round clash with the GIANTS.
Using words like “springy” and “dynamic” to describe how he’s felt this pre-season, the fan favourite is gearing up for a huge 2025.
“Personally I feel really good, my body’s feeling really good,” he said.
“Everyone goes through niggles and I’m no different, but in terms of my output for games and training right now, I feel like I’m really well prepared to set myself up for a good year body wise.
“I’m feeling young, I’m feeling springy, I’m feeling dynamic, and that’s the main thing especially for my role, I feel like I need those.
“I’m feeling really confident in my body and fingers crossed I have a clean year and a good run at it.”
