JACK Grimes says it was a tough decision to relinquish the co-captaincy, but he believes it will not only assist his game, but the Demons in 2015.

Grimes, who was a co-captain of the club from 2012-14, said it was best he stepped aside to focus on the type of form that saw him finish runner-up to Nathan Jones in the 2012 best and fairest.

“It was a really tough decision for me and definitely not one I took lightly at all. I did a lot of thinking over the off-season and … after talking to Roosy (Paul Roos), [we decided] that I really needed to look after my own game,” he told Dee TV.  

“I really wasn’t happy with the footy I was playing last season and that’s the number one, most important thing as a leader – to be delivering on field. I didn’t feel like I was doing it enough, so I really placed an importance on that – in getting it back up to the standard that I know it can be and should be for me. [That’s] my number one focus.

“Talking to Roosy over the pre-season since coming back, we decided that it was best to give up the captaincy. It was a really tough decision and it’s something that I was really, really proud of and not something that I took lightly at all.

“I have absolutely loved my three years in the role and felt like I developed a lot as a leader, but the number one thing is to get it done on the field and unfortunately I wasn’t doing that often enough. That’s the main reason why the decision was made.”

Grimes said he had been well supported by Nathan Jones, who was a co-captain with him for the first time in 2014, plus his Melbourne teammates.

“I chatted to Jonesy through the whole process a lot and that’s probably what did make the decision a little bit easier for me in a way – knowing that he’s there. After working with him last year … he still delivered on field, even with the role,” he said.

“He was really, really supportive through it and he wanted me to do what he thought was best for me. In the end, doing what’s best for me is what’s going to be best for the team as well and that’s the most important thing.

“The other teammates were really good. I spoke to them before it all got announced and the support was amazing.

“I was really appreciative [of the support] from the coaches as well. Roosy was really supportive through the whole process, so I feel good about it now. Now that the decision has been made, it’s sitting really well with me. I’m really enjoying training and pre-season … I feel like a new draftee almost.”

But Grimes said he still wants to be part of the 2015 leadership group, which will be unveiled early next year.

“It’s something that I feel comes reasonably naturally to me,” he said.

“I want to still be supporting Jonesy as much as I can as well. He said that.

“He wants and needs the support from myself and from others too, so I really want to help him through the process, because I know it is a tough gig at times.

Despite stepping down from the role, Grimes said he hadn’t changed his leadership style in the pre-season.

“I am focused on myself a little bit more, almost in a bit of a selfish way, but if that’s what’s going to be best for the team … I’m not going to change too much of the way I go about it from a leadership point of view,” he said.

Focusing on his pre-season, Grimes said it got “harder and harder” every year, but he said his training had been strong so far. Still, he is looking forward to the break, particularly around Christmas.

“Christmas Day, my sister is due to have a baby and two days later I’m getting married, so it’s a busy week for the family, so there will be plenty going on, so I’m looking forward to it,” he said.