The 24-year-old former Lake Wendouree and North Ballarat Rebels player is joined by experienced campaigners Dale Morris and Matthew Boyd and midfielder Tom Liberatore in a five-man leadership group, alongside captain Bob Murphy.

Roughead said it was an honour to be voted into the position by his peers and then backed by the coach.

“I do see myself as a leader,” he said at the leadership group’s press conference.

“I’ve had some great leaders at this footy club who I’ve learnt from and footy clubs I’ve been involved with in the past.

“It’s something I’ve never looked upon lightly and it’s something that I’ve always wanted to do.

“It’s a great honour to be selected in the group and be up there to not only help Murph on game day but off the field as well.”

Murphy backed the appointment of Roughead, who has played 72 games with the Bulldogs after being picked up in the 2008 AFL draft.

Roughead also spent two years in the leadership group with the Rebels.

“I think he’s someone who naturally puts the team before himself,” Murphy said at the press conference.

“He’s someone, right from the start, even as a young guy, I would lean on. 

“Someone who sees the game and the club with a real sense of clarity. 

“He’s loved and respected by his peers and he’s someone I’m already leaning on and will continue to do so for the year.

“So I’m rapt to have him as my vice-captain.”

Bulldogs senior coach Luke Beveridge told westernbulldogs.com.au that Roughead was a standout choice to take over the position.

“He’s (Roughead) a really respected young man. He’s been at the club for a number of years now,” Beveridge said.

“It’s a great sign that our younger players are progressing, they’re maturing.”

Roughead, who went to school at Damascus College, made his debut with the Bulldogs in 2010 and has recently locked down a key defensive role in the senior side.

Meanwhile, Bulldogs president Peter Gordon reiterated the club’s commitment to Ballarat in the wake of the resignation of chief executive officer Simon Garlick.

Gordon said Garlick’s resignation would have no impact on the Bulldogs’ plans to make Ballarat a second base and eventually play home games in the city.

“I want the people of Ballarat to feel – in three, four or five years – that the Bulldogs is their team,” Gordon told SEN radio.

“It’s a thrill to have the opportunity to call Ballarat our second home.”

tim.oconnor@fairfaxmedia.com.au