Nick Larkey will be the new captain of North Melbourne in 2026, with players and coaches voting him into the role.
It comes after 2025 skipper Jy Simpkin requested a move out of the club during the trade period.
Collingwood showed some interest in bringing the midfielder across, but the teams were too far apart on the details of a trade and it never eventuated.
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Nick Larkey of North Melbourne. Getty
AFL Media’s Cal Twomey is reporting that Simpkin opted to step aside from a leadership position, likely because of his attempt to leave the club.
Essendon’s Zach Merrett made the same decision after requesting a trade out of the Bombers and will also step down for the 2026 season.
Both situations illustrate what can happen when clubs dig in to keep important players after they have requested trades.
West Coast captain Oscar Allen successfully got to Brisbane as a free agent, while Carlton vice captain Charlie Curnow was eventually traded to Sydney.
Simpkin has captained the Roos since 2023. The first two seasons were alongside defender Luke McDonald.
The 27-year-old requested a trade largely because the Kangaroos have moved on from him as a pure midfielder, favouring a younger core of Harry Sheezel, George Wardlaw, Luke Davies-Uniacke and Colby McKercher.
George Wardlaw, Jy Simpkin and Finn O’Sullivan of the Kangaroos. AFL Photos via Getty Images
Simpkin has been stuck on flanks and wings for the last few seasons and wished for a fresh start and more time on-ball. He is contracted with North Melbourne until the end of 2029.
Club champion Corey McKernan was vocal on social media following the trade request that the midfielder could return to the club, but had to relinquish the captaincy.
McKernan also labelled Collingwood’s reported call to only offer a second round pick for Simpkin a “slight reality check” for the wantaway player.
Larkey, who made the 2023 All-Australian team, now steps into the role and will be the club’s ninth captain since 2000.
The 27-year-old has played 134 games for the Roos and kicked 278 goals, since being selected with pick 73 in the 2016 draft.
Star midfielder Sheezel served as vice captain alongside Larkey in 2025 and the 21-year-old will likely take the captaincy at some point later in his career.
They will be hoping to lead the Roos out of the bottom four, after the club finished 16th with five wins last season.