Sydney Swans coach John Longmire has explained the decision behind electing for three co-captains in 2020.

Voted on by the playing group during a recent camp in Coffs Harbour the players decide based on those who can help drive the standards of the group across the season.

Luke Parker, Dane Rampe and Josh Kennedy have once again been named co-captains in a leadership group also consisting of Lance Franklin and Callum Mills.

“We went with three co-captains again as I was just really pleased and happy with what they were able to do,” Longmire said.

“They are all different personalities; they bring their own strengths to the role and they share the role really well.

“Once they got into the swing of things over the course of the season they were able to really help a team that was transitioning.”

“They were able to help me enormously so we have gone with that model again.”

It is the first time Franklin has been included in a leadership group throughout his 300 game career and coincides with him being the oldest player on the Swans list in season 2020.

“Lance coming into the leadership group at his age and what he has done in AFL football he really set himself for that role,” Longmire said.

“It shows that you can still keep improving and achieving goals that you set yourself if you really want to.

“It is a really good example of no matter what you have done in the game to still keep improving and raising the bar and that is what he has been able to do.”

Mills remains in the leadership group in a testament to the 22-year-olds maturity levels.

“Callum Mills from the moment he has got into the place has been incredibly impressive not only as a player,” Longmire said.

“He is an incredible player who really drives the standards across the group. 

“He is a natural leader in the way he goes about things and is a great addition to the leadership group as well.”