The AFL’s recent trade period has dramatically put the spotlight on several club captains, with Zach Merrett and Jy Simpkin requesting trades (and failing) and Oscar Allen and Jack Steele departing West Coast and St Kilda respectively.
Veteran leader Steele is now at Melbourne, so St Kilda obviously need to find a replacement skipper ASAP, and North Melbourne have already hinted that Simpkin will be replaced.
Allen, who has joined Brisbane, was a co-captain at the Eagles so it will be interesting to see if they stick with their dual leadership model and elevate someone to join Liam Duggan, back the incumbent for a solo stint, or even change altogether.
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As for Essendon, they are certainly not short of options to replace Merrett if, as expected, they go down that route following his failed trade to Hawthorn.
Other clubs could also make a change to their captaincy and one wonders whether it’s time for Brisbane to give Lachie Neale a breather and allow co-captain and gun defender Harris Andrews to have a solo run.
Geelong’s veteran leader Patrick Dangerfield might be ready to hand over the reins, although he does enjoy the leadership role and is a pro with the media.
Other veteran skippers include Carlton’s dual Brownlow medallist Patrick Cripps, Melbourne’s eight-time All-Australian ruck Max Gawn, and Western Bulldogs superstar Marcus Bontempelli … but it is impossible to see that trio going anywhere.
Here’s a look at the captaincy conundrum — or lack thereof — for every one of the 18 clubs.
Adelaide
Jordan Dawson has proven himself to be an exceptional leader since he was named captain of Adelaide ahead of the 2023 season. At 28 years of age, there is obviously no rush to replace him but there are no obvious replacements at the moment anyway. The Crows leadership group for the 2025 season consisted of Ben Keays, Reilly O’Brien, Darcy Fogarty and Alex Neal-Bullen. They obviously have veteran leaders on the park too, with Rory Laird and Taylor Walker committed to playing on next year. Other long-term options are possibly gun defender Max Michalanney and midfielder Jake Soligo.
Prediction: No change here … with Michalanney a long-term option.
Jordan Dawson will continue to lead the Crows for a long time. Credit: AAPBrisbane
It might be time for Brisbane to break up it’s co-captaincy model. It has obviously been successful but it feels like it’s time for star defender Harris Andrews to have a solo run and for Lachie Neale to have a spell. Andrews is the best in the business when it comes to his position. At 28, he obviously has quite a few more years left in him as a skipper, too, with AFL expert Kane Cornes recently calling him “a generational leader”. Hugh McCluggage and Josh Dunkley were co-vice-captains this year and Charlie Cameron, Cam Rayner, and Jarrod Berry were also in the leadership group. As for long-term options, Jaspa Fletcher, 21, seems like a strong candidate at this early stage.
Prediction: Harris Andrews to go it alone … with Fletcher a long-term option. McCluggage could be used as a gap filler.
It’s time for Harris Andrews to be a stand-alone skipper of the Lions. Credit: AAPCarlton
Patrick Cripps has been captain of the Blues since 2019 and there’s no reason for any change. The dual Brownlow medallist has been a standout leader and will be an important figure at the club as they navigate through another difficult period. Still only 30, expect Cripps to remain in the role for at least the next two seasons, and maybe more. Looking ahead, Sam Walsh is the obvious candidate — as long as he stays at the club given he is out of contract at the end of next year. Walsh has hardly put a foot wrong since the Blues took him in the 2018 draft, and shapes as the perfect replacement for Cripps, whenever that is. Defender Jacob Weitering is another option.
Prediction: No change here. Walsh or Weitering to replace Cripps when the time comes.
Patrick Cripps is still the best man to lead Carlton. Credit: AAPCollingwood
Darcy Moore has been captain since 2023 and appears in no danger of giving up the role just yet. He turns 30 ahead of next season and remains a brilliant leader. But there is a clear and obvious choice to replace Moore when the time comes. Nick Daicos became the youngest captain in Collingwood’s history when he led the team out on Anzac Day and will no doubt be the next man to take the full-time job. The only question is, when?
Prediction: No change here, but we’re tipping Daicos to take over ahead of the 2027 season.
Collingwood star Nick Daicos is a captain in waiting. Credit: GettyEssendon
It’s impossible to see Zach Merrett remaining as captain after his bombshell trade request to Hawthorn. But the Bombers aren’t short of options when it comes for a replacement. Former No.1 draft pick Andrew McGrath, 27, seems to be front of the queue but Mason Redman, 28, is a passionate club man and a viable option, too. At 24, gun midfielder Sam Durham is an emerging candidate
Prediction: Merrett to hand over to McGrath. Merrett can still be the same leader he always has been without the title.
Andrew McGrath is a strong option to replace Zach Merrett as captain. Credit: Getty ImagesFremantle
Alex Pearce has officially been in charge since 2023, but was already captaining the side in the previous year due to Nat Fyfe’s injury struggles. There’s no reason for the 30-year-old defender to give up the role given his standing in the side, as evidence by winning the past two players’ awards. The Dockers are blessed with two standout options to replace Pearce with Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong waiting in the wings.
Prediction: No change here, but we’re going with Brayshaw to replace Pearce when the time comes.
Fremantle won’t move on Pearce but they do have options. Credit: GettyGeelong
The Cats have an interesting captaincy situation with Patrick Dangerfield entering the latter stages of his career. It’s hard to know when the superstar will retire given his ability to still dominate games, like this year’s preliminary final, at the ripe old age of 35. Geelong have a unique trend with the past three captains in Joel Selwood, Cameron Ling and Tom Harley, all retiring after leading their team to premiership glory. We’re giving Danger one more season before he passes the baton on. Tom Stewart, the long-standing vice-captain, is the obvious next choice, but beyond that it’s hard to pick. Tough midfielder Tom Atkins looms as another option, while Gryan Miers and Max Holmes will probably form the leadership group moving forward.
Prediction: Dangerfield to remain captain for one more season before Stewart or Atkins take over.
Patrick Dangerfield is expected to lead the Cats again in 2026. Credit: Getty ImagesGold Coast
At the start of 2025, Gold Coast gun Noah Anderson was a surprise choice by Damien Hardwick to be made stand-alone captain, replacing veteran duo Jarrod Witts and Touk Miller. And it’s fair to say it was a genius appointment, with the 24-year-old stepping up to the plate with aplomb. Miller and Sam Collins, were joint vice-captains this year, while Ben King, Matt Rowell and Wil Powell made up the Suns’ leadership group. Freshly minted Brownlow medallist Rowell also has captaincy attributes as does gun forward King. Beyond them it is a lottery but 21-year-old Mac Andrew has signed a massive deal at the the club and 20-year-old Jed Walter is undoubtedly a long-term prospect.
Prediction: No change here … but could Mac Andrew mature and become an inspiring leader for the club? Would be great to see.
Noah Anderson has turned into a fine young leader for the Suns. Credit: AAPGreater Western Sydney
At 32 years of age, one wonders when Toby Greene will hand over the captaincy reins and who will he pass them to. Right now it seems the obvious candidates are Sam Taylor and Tom Green. Green is 24 and Taylor, a two-time All-Australian is 26. Others in the leadership group Stephen Coniglio and Josh Kelly, but their time has obviously passed. Connor Idun, Brent Daniels and Jack Buckley are also team leaders but it feels the next in line is Green.
Prediction: Toby Greene to pass the reins to Tom Green after the 2026 season.
It’s hard to see Toby Greene give up his captaincy role. Credit: GettyHawthorn
James Sicily will be, almost surprisingly, 31 years old at the start of next year so Hawthorn will undoubtedly be looking for a replacement in the not too distant future. In Dylan Moore (vice-captain), Will Day and Jai Newcombe they have strong options to fill Sicily’s shoes. The injury-cursed Day seems the most likely candidate and was recently called Hawthorn’s “spiritual leader” by AFL expert Kane Cornes. When Day, 24, gets a good run at it, it feels like his time will come.
Prediction: Sicily to captain for three more years before handing over to Day.
James Sicily is the best man for the job at Hawthorn. Credit: GettyMelbourne
It is time for stability at Melbourne so there will be no change at the top with superstar skipper Max Gawn to remain in the role. But now that Christian Petracca has gone, a successor at the club is not so obvious. Defender Jake Lever, 29, has the attributes but it feels like his time has passed as well. So who are the next-gen leaders at the Demons? 24-year-old defender Trent Rivers could be a future leader, and 23-year-old Jake Bowey showed some leadership qualities in a breakout season this year. Beyond that, 19-year-old Harvey Langford is a long-term option.
Prediction: Gawn, 33, to remain in the role for two more years, then hands the reins to Trent Rivers.
Max Gawn is one of the best leaders in the comp. Credit: GettyNorth Melbourne
North Melbourne list boss Brady Rawlings has basically said that Jy Simpkin won’t be the captain at the club next year. But the question is, who out of North’s impressive young guns takes over. In the running are Harry Sheezel, 21, Luke Davies-Uniacke, 26, George Wardlaw, 21, and Nick Larkey, 27. Larkey would certainly be a popular choice. He is a five-time leading goalkicker at the club and was an All-Australian in 2023. After Larkey, Sheezel seems to be an automatic choice.
Prediction: Larkey to be elevated to captain with Sheezel his successor.
Jy Simpkin is not expected to lead the Roos in 2026. Credit: AAPPort Adelaide
Ahead of the 2024 season, Port Adelaide named young gun Connor Rozee as captain and also signed him on a massive long-term deal. Rozee is now 25 and there are still question marks about the appointment. While there is nothing obviously wrong with Rozee’s leadership, he doesn’t automatically come across as a natural-born leader. Zak Butters (vice-captain) is their other midfield gun and oozes ‘leadership vibes’. Of course, Butters might be on his way out and Rozee is clearly still maturing. Beyond Rozee, Jason Horne-Francis could emerge as a leader but he still needs to mature.
Prediction: No change yet with Jason Horne-Francis a long-term option.
Connor Rozee is growing into the job. Credit: AAPRichmond
No need to change things up at Tigerland with Toby Nankervis the man to lead the club through the rebuild. At 31, he still has a few good years left as they usher in the new generation. This year’s leadership group featured other veterans Nathan Broad, Tim Taranto and Tom Lynch, and the majority will likely feature again next year. Of the experienced players in the team, Taranto seems the most obvious candidate ahead of Nick Vlastuin and Jayden Short. But looking to the future, Sam Lalor appears a strong candidate down the track.
Prediction: No change here with Nankervis remaining as captain. Taranto the likely next skipper, followed by Lalor well down the track.
Toby Nankervis is a voice of reason for the young Tigers. Credit: AAPSt Kilda
With veteran captain Jack Steele gone, star defender Callum Wilkie has emerged as the obvious leader for the Saints. At 29, it is Wilkie time, but it is possible the club might want to go with someone younger. Two-time best-and-fairest winner and All-Australian Jack Sinclair is another option, but he too is 30 and possibly considered past his prime. Marcus Windhager, at 22, seems like strong long-term option but the question is, when do you pull the trigger on him? Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera is obviously their best player but it would be unfair to burden him captaincy duties.
Prediction: Wilkie to be named captain with Windhager to replace him in four years.
Callum Wilkie is the obvious choice to take the reins from Jack Steele. Credit: GettySydney
When Sydney made the unusual call to make Callum Mills their standalone skipper ahead of the 2024 season, it certainly raised eyebrows. The decision was made on the back of a Mad Monday incident where Mills ruined his shoulder. So the club, somewhat famous for their co-captaincy model, strangely decided to go with a single captain despite the fact Mills wouldn’t play for the first half of the year. In fact, Mills only managed seven games in 2024, and he didn’t fare too much better in 2025, playing just 12 games. It feels like the Swans still believe Mills is the long-term leader, but Isaac Heeney has thrived over the past two seasons and when Heeney fires, he drags the team with him. Expert Kane Cornes commentator said during the year that it was “Heeney’s team”. Cornes is right. It’s time for Sydney to be bold and make the switch. Hawthorn replaced then captain Sam Mitchell with Luke Hodge at the end of 2010, and Hodge went on to become inspirational leader for the Hawks. Errol Gulden is obviously next in line after Heeney’s time.
Prediction: Heeney to be elevated and join Mills as co-captain. Gulden to take over in three years.
Isaac Heeney is Sydney’s spiritual leader … and should possibly be their actual leader. Credit: Getty ImagesWest Coast
There will be some sort of change here with co-captain Oscar Allen departing for Brisbane. Liam Duggan was the other co-captain this year, but did lead the team for the majority of the season with Allen out injured. There’s been nothing wrong with Duggan as captain, but it wouldn’t surprise to see a change made. Former Tiger Liam Baker impressed in his first season at the club and was elevated to the position, while Duggan was suspended for the final two games. Baker was a runaway winner in the best and fairest award and we think he’s ready to take on the captaincy as well. Expect to see Reuben Ginbey elevated to the leadership group and a potential captain for the future as well.
Prediction: Baker to be elevated to sole captain, with Duggan dropped down to vice-captain.
West Coast captain Liam Duggan is likely to be a standalone skipper in 2026. Credit: GettyWestern Bulldogs
Marcus Bontempelli has been captain since 2020 and there is no danger of that changing any time soon. Already arguably the greatest player in club history, the Bont has been a brilliant captain as well as evidence by being named All-Australian skipper in 2024. The Bulldogs had an expanded eight-man leadership group this year, with Tom Liberatore and Aaron Naughton the two vice-captains. Projecting three to five years into the future when there might be a change, Ed Richards looms as a likely successor.
Prediction: Bontempelli to continue for as long as he wants. Richards the next captain.
Marcus Bontempelli is a much-loved leader of the Dogs. Credit: Getty
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