As winner of this year’s Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award, there’s no better role model for Carlton’s young list than Dennis Armfield.
The cult hero, who recently re-signed for another year, will not only help his teammates on the field in 2016, but he’ll also act as a mentor for the Blues’ new draftees and rookies.
“He (Bolton) wants me to be that senior player who helps take charge – we’re a very young list,” Armfield told SEN on Thursday.
“Also pushing the urgency in players that they need to get on board quickly because we’re a team in a hurry.
“Bolts has come in really early and taken charge. Everything just seems really positive and the boys seem keen to follow foot and make amends for what happened last year.”
The 28-year-old played 12 games last season and was nominated for Goal of the Year before breaking his arm against Richmond in Round 15.
The versatile midfielder, who qualifies for Carlton life membership this year, knows he must also keep developing his own game in 2016.
“I’m at that age now in footy where one-year deals come around…it doesn’t mean I’m closer to the end, it just means I need to work harder to keep my spot in the side.”
His dedication on the training track will once again be matched by his commitment to community work off the field at Odyssey House.
“I had a tour of the house about five years ago and you get to meet some very interesting people. It hit home that the stigma society has on drug and alcohol addiction is something I want to break,” he said.