Heath Shaw has officially been forgiven for his part in last year’s AFL betting scandal, with Collingwood including him in a seven-man player leadership group for the 2012 season.
Defender Shaw was banned for eight matches and fined $20,000 after admitting to placing a bet on a Collingwood match last season.
But the 26-year-old’s team-mates have ended his penance, voting him into the group, and new coach Nathan Buckley rubber-stamped his elevation.
“Heater’s made a few errors over the time – as everyone has,” Buckley said on Friday.
“Perhaps that puts him in an even better position to be able to lead and be part of setting the example for the culture going forward.”
Defender Nick Maxwell retains the club captaincy, with Shaw among three new faces in the leadership group along with midfielder Dale Thomas and forward Travis Cloke.
Vice-captain Scott Pendlebury, Harry O’Brien and Luke Ball are the other members.