NSW and Australian representative Luke Lewis has been announced as Penrith's new captain ahead of the 2012 NRL season.
The local junior, who is entering his 12th season at the club, was the natural selection as new coach Ivan Cleary's replacement for former skipper Petero Civoniceva, who joined Brisbane in the off-season.
Cleary said the decision was an easy one, with Lewis's leadership qualities on display throughout his career as he developed from a rangy winger to a premiership winner and now a classy lock forward.
"Sometimes with a great leader, it is pretty obvious and it's been perfectly obvious the last couple of weeks since Luke's been back at training," Cleary told reporters on Tuesday.
"It's always great to have a great leader and I think we've got one ready to fill the boots of some of the great captains we've had here in the past.
"As a player, he's outstanding - not only on the field but he's also very well respected off the field."
Lewis said while the captaincy was not something he had always aspired to, despite playing for the club for his entire career, it was a welcome honour.
"To tell you the truth, it's not something I really thought about," he said.
"It's obviously a massive honour for myself.
"I always wanted to play for the Penrith club as a junior.
"My childhood hero, Brad Fittler, captained the club.
"They're massive shoes to fill, but it's something that I'm definitely looking forward to.
"Hopefully I can do this job to the best of my ability and lead this club to some success.
"I really believe we really have a big year ahead of us."
AAP
