Nick Malceski’s impact at the Gold Coast SUNS has been recognised with his teammates voting him into the club’s six-man leadership group.

The 2014 All-Australian half-back will join Gary Ablett, Michael Rischitelli, David Swallow, Dion Prestia and Tom Lynch in the leadership group.

As expected, Ablett will lead the club as captain for a fifth consecutive season.

The entire playing list cast their votes following the club’s three-day leadership camp last week.

Malceski, one of Sydney’s heroes during their 2012 premiership success, also played a key role in helping the Swans reach last year’s AFL Grand Final.

Senior coach Rodney Eade said Malceski’s premiership experience and noticeable leadership qualities had been on full display since his arrival last October.

“The team has benefited from Nick’s arrival and we’re pleased that the players have acknowledged that by voting him into their leadership group,” Eade said.

“Throughout Nick’s career he has consistently shown strong leadership qualities; those qualities were part of the reason the club was thrilled to sign him as a free agent at the end of last season and in a short time with the SUNS he has made a significant impact.”

Eade said the club was equally excited to confirm Ablett would continue as captain, with Rischitelli, Prestia, Lynch and Swallow all retaining their positions in the group.

“Our leaders have all demonstrated they have the ability and passion to help drive our football club to a period of sustained success and as a result their peers have voted them back to their positions,” he said.