The defender-cum-forward is part of a three-man group that also includes international striker Eugene Dadi and club skipper Jamie Coyne that's modelled on an AFL club's leadership system.

But, Harnwell, due to play a testimonial match on Saturday commemorating his 10-year association with the club, does not think the group's creation is any slight on young current skipper Coyne, who was given the captaincy at the start of what's been a difficult campaign so far.

Instead, he feels it's just a reflection on the way he goes about his football.

Harnwell said: "It's (about) being another voice, being another senior player.

"It's obviously a role which I tend to do naturally but it's just, I suppose been a bit more formalised now."

"It's nothing that I'm going to change particularly about what I do. If anyone, would like advice, I'll give, it, if they don't and it's on the pitch, I'll probably give it to them anyway.

"It's just a more formal role and (will) ease the burden off everyone in what's been a difficult couple of weeks.

"(But) I'm not changing the way I play, I know Eugene won't be changing the way he plays or goes about things."

Glory chief executive Scott Gooch also denied the development of the leadership group was a response to Coyne's form dropping off since being given the captaincy.

Instead, Gooch said the entire team's form hadn't been good this campaign and that the leadership group's development was an acknowledgement that Coyne hadn't been in the role particularly long and may need some help during a difficult period in the club's history.

"There are a number of players that the coach has identified as leaders within the club and yesterday, it was ratified by the board that Eugene Dadi and Jamie Harnwell were the two ideal candidates to help support Jamie," Gooch said.

"He's (Coyne) a fantastic player, (but) he's new in his role and any support that the playing group and the club can provide him, we'll do so."

"Jamie's fine with that. Obviously he's under a lot of pressure and strain as that person who's a captain of a team that's currently under performing, so he welcomed that support."