St Kilda coach Scott Watters says captaincy won’t be used to entice utility Brendon Goddard to re-sign with the AFL club.

Watters on Friday said out-of-contract Goddard had been offered a new contract, and he was confident he would remain a Saint.

“I know that Brendon wants to stay at St Kilda football club,” said Watters.

“He’s very committed to wanting to be here, there’s no doubt about that.

“I think it’s really important for our members and supporters to know that we have put a contract in front of Brendon and we certainly want him staying.”

The 27-year-old restricted free agent was recently touted by current skipper Nick Riewoldt as his likely successor, with the transition coming as soon as next season.

Watters said there had been no talk of the captaincy in Goddard’s negotiations.

“At no stage would captaincy be offered as cream on the cake for a contract,” the coach said.

“That would be disrespecting the privilege of being captain; captaincy is earnt and to me it shouldn’t be an incentive.”

Watters said the dual All Australian had “strong leadership potential” and was a front-runner for the role but it wouldn’t be gifted.

He said that he wanted Goddard to join only a trio of players who have played 300 games with St Kilda.

Meanwhile, AFL great Leigh Matthews says he doesn’t see Goddard as captaincy material and doesn’t like his “on-field persona”.

“The way I see Brendon on the field – I don’t know what he’s like around the club – he’s not the kind of bloke I want leading my team,” Matthews told afl.com.au on Friday.

“He’s become an outside player. He just doesn’t look like the bloke you want (leading the way, like) Lenny Hayes … the fabric of your team.”

While Watters said Goddard’s recent form had been very good, Matthews felt he had developed into an outside player who collected cheap possessions.

“I’m not quite sure why he’s gone into what seems to be the bloke who’s looking like he’s wanting to get the cheap kicks, wanting to get the ball out in uncontested space,” Matthews said.

“He just doesn’t look like he’s getting his hands dirty often enough, that’s all I see.”