Scott Pendlebury will again lead from the front in 2017 after being named Collingwood captain for a fourth consecutive season.

He is joined by vice-captains Taylor Adams and Steele Sidebottom in a streamlined three-man leadership group.

The midfielders were selected by their peers, a decision supported by the football executive and ratified by the Collingwood Football Club board.  

The unanimous vote brings together a trio with 474 games experience between them and represent all ages of the group at 29, 26 and 23 years respectively.

Pendlebury is the five-time Copeland Trophy winner who also has five All Australian honours and a premiership to his name.

Sidebottom brings three years of experience in the leadership group, in addition to placing in the Copeland Trophy’s top five for five consecutive years.

Adams is the youngest of the three, but comes with a tough-edge and the respect of the entire playing group. The 23-year-old entered the Collingwood leadership group last year in just his second season at the club.

While Pendlebury will lead the Magpies onto the field in 2017, both his deputies have already experienced the feeling in the pre-season.

Sidebottom led the side in its first and third JLT Community Series matches against Essendon and Richmond respectively, while Adams took the reins in a week two clash with Fremantle.

The incredible durability of Pendlebury hasn’t allowed vice captains such opportunities in the past. The 29-year-old has missed just one home and away game in his three seasons as captain – a 67-point loss to Brisbane in round 21, 2014.

If past form remains in 2017, the captain will play his 250th AFL game in the latter stages of the season. Sidebottom has played 163 games, while Adams has 75 to his name.

Collingwood’s leadership group was unveiled in conjunction with the club announcing its biggest commercial deal to date with Premier Partner CGU extending its partnership until the end of 2022.

Updates from a press conference involving the three leaders, President Eddie McGuire and coach Nathan Buckley will follow on collingwoodfc.com.au throughout the day.