Ross Lyon says the playing group, not Matthew Pavlich, will decide the Freo captaincy in 2015.

The Freo senior coach was asked about Pavlich possibly giving the leadership role up in what will be his 16th season of AFL next year.

But Lyon was quick to remind all that it wasn’t the club legend’s call to make.

“It’s not Matthew’s to hand over,” he said.

“It’s no one’s to hand over and it’s no one’s to anoint.

“I don’t anoint it, Matthew doesn’t, the incumbent captain doesn’t.

“Our player group nominate their captain by vote. That’s the way we do it.”

The skipper himself said on Tuesday the players would decide if he led them again in 2015.

“It is a player driven thing, it's voted upon and it may look a whole lot different come November, December when we do it,” Pavlich said.

Lyon was also asked what influence Pavlich’s presence would have on the club’s young key forwards in 2015.

He said there were two things to consider, one positive and the other possibly negative.

“It can be good because he can help mentor them and grow them, but he can also get in the way, potentially,” Lyon said.

“The only way you can improve is play.

“When next year comes, we worry about it, but Matthew’s form has entitled him to go on.”