When the 16 captains dispersed from their annual photo shoot for interviews with the media, Melbourne's James McDonald quickly found himself on his own.

Throughout his 217-game career, McDonald has maintained a low profile. Even when the Demons were regular finalists under Neale Daniher, McDonald was never one to draw attention to himself.

He plays a blue-collar game, one recognised by all that matter at the Demons and the more knowledgeable red and blue supporters but seldom the wider football public.

McDonald will this season become just the fifth player since 1981 to lead the Demons on a permanent basis and faces arguably the toughest job.

The club collected the wooden spoon in 2008 and just a fortnight before the start of the season did not have a major sponsor. Even the most ardent Demons supporters are expecting 2009 to be bleak.

The job is not entirely new to McDonald, who captained the club on several occasions after the mid-season retirement of long-serving skipper David Neitz last year.

But it's different once he's officially in office, said McDonald, whose team opens its home and away season against North Melbourne on Sunday.

"It's not one of those jobs that's at training, it's a 24-seven job and responsibility," he said.

"There is extra pressure there and I do have good leadership group around me to support me. It doesn't feel like a burden. It's quite exciting."

McDonald will have Cameron Bruce, Brad Green, Brad Miller, Brent Moloney and Brock McLean as his trusty lieutenants.

The club's leadership group has already cracked the whip this year, suspending renowned bad boy Colin Sylvia from a practice match for failing to meet the 'standard of behaviour in relation to post-game recovery and rehabilitation'.

It is in this area of the game - one unable to be measured in kicks, handballs or goals - where McDonald hopes to make his mark as captain.

"For me it's all through actions and preparation and getting everything right to give myself the best chance to play the best footy for the team and play my role for the team," he said.

"That's what I'll be asking of the other players as well. Just play and lead through your own actions and prepare and give yourself the best opportunity to play at your best."

"For me it's about creating a culture for young guys to come in and players who are at the club to better themselves and hopefully … leave the club in a better state."

"If I can play a small part in that I've done my job."

The supporters, however, will also judge McDonald's captaincy by wins and losses but not to the extent at which they will mark coach Dean Bailey.

Like McDonald, Bailey is not a bells and whistles man.

Throughout the club's horror 2008, Bailey did not explode. Not publicly, at least.

"He's one of those blokes who talks very quietly then erupts," McDonald said. "He's been fantastic. We had a pretty ordinary year last year and he never panicked once which is great."

"He's pretty measured and planned with where he wants us to go."

Not surprisingly, McDonald was not expansive when asked about an acceptable win-loss record for this season.

"On the field people just want to see a competitive effort for the whole year," he said.

"I think we let ourselves down at times last year. We copped a few thumpings and that sort of stuff and if we can improve our team performances that's a big thing."