By Michael Whiting

While young captains have been all the rage around the AFL in the past month, one teenager quietly snuck into the Gold Coast SUNS leadership group with a minimum of fuss.

David Swallow, at just 19, is still one of the youngest players on the club's list and is now part of the seven-man leadership group that will guide the GC SUNS through their second season.

He is part of a trend that is seeing clubs' appoint young leaders.

His older brother Andrew (24) was named captain of North Melbourne earlier this month, and that announcement was followed by Jack Grimes (22) and Jack Trengove (20) who were appointed Melbourne co-captains. Callan Ward (21) and Phil Davis (21) were recently appointed skippers of GWS, and reigning premier Geelong will be led by Joel Selwood this year, who is just 23.

For the younger Swallow, his elevation on the Gold Coast was reward for a terrific first season and an off-field work ethic that has everyone at Carrara impressed.

Along with Karmichael Hunt and St Kilda recruit Andrew McQualter, the former No.1 draft pick was one of three new faces named in the leadership group at the weekend.

Swallow is quietly spoken and loath to talk about himself for too long, but said it was exciting to be appointed.

"To be voted by your peers is something that is pretty encouraging," Swallow said.

"I'm looking forward to having a say in what goes on around the club.

"Last year Bluey (coach Guy McKenna) talked to me about it (leadership), and over the pre-season I thought it was something I'd like to be part of coming into this year.

"Last year it probably wasn't on my radar, but pre-season is pretty long and I had some time to think about it and I put my hand up and was lucky enough to get in."

Swallow said the appointment would put no extra pressure on him to grow up quicker than his young teammates.

"It's something I could talk to Mav (Weller) about, he was part of it last year and see how he dealt with it," Swallow said.

"I'll just go about it as I have been and hopefully that's why the boys have voted me in. I don't think it'll change me at all."

Swallow suffered a hamstring injury in the final round of last season, but after missing the first month of pre-season has now regained full fitness and will line-up on Saturday night against Melbourne and the Brisbane Lions in the GC SUNS NAB Cup opener.