South Sydney Rabbitohs forward Cameron Murray has officially been announced as the club’s new captain.
Murray, 23, has long been considered as a future leader and he takes the role after former skipper Adam Reynolds headed to Brisbane.
The star big man earned the top job over teammates Cody Walker and Damien Cook, and Murray understands the significance of being named the leader of the historical club.
“I feel very lucky and privileged to have the honour of being captain of the South Sydney Rabbitohs,” Murray said via a statement.
“In my short time here at the club playing at the top level, I've learnt from some of the game's greatest leaders.
“Stepping into the captaincy role, one previously held by Greg Inglis, John Sutton, Sam Burgess and more recently Adam Reynolds, as well as greats of the game like John Sattler and Clive Churchill, is something I couldn't have dreamt up.”
Murray, a local junior, grew up supporting the club and he says the passion for the cardinal red and myrtle green is something that’s innate to him.
“I was only a one-year-old when Mum and Dad were pushing me in a pram down George Street in Sydney City as thousands of Rabbitohs fans turned up to fight for our reinstatement back into the competition,” Murray said.
“Although I don't remember, somehow, the passion and pride on display during that dark period in our history has never left me.
“Having experienced these tough periods as a supporter during my earliest memories of the club in the early 2000s, I feel so grateful to have been involved in some great success at the club over the past couple of years.
“I'm really looking forward to our journey again this year and continuing to learn off, and lean on, strong leaders at our club like Cody Walker and Damien Cook, whose competitive nature and natural leadership are things I've always admired.”
Murray has already made 103 appearances for the Rabbitohs since making his debut as a teenager in 2017.
The star lock has also represented the Blues at Origin level on seven occasions and has made his debut in International football for Australia.