Multiple AFL clubs have already revealed that they will have a new man at the top in 2026, with three captains stepping down and two changing clubs since the conclusion of the 2025 season.
With that in mind, and given that these decisions are usually made around the new year, it’s worth going through the captaincy situation at all 18 clubs and reviewing where each sits.
Some are straightforward and barely worth thinking about, while others are far more complicated and fascinating.
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Here’s our verdict on each club’s current skipper and who the next man up will be – if there is one to be mentioned.
Jordan Dawson of the Crows celebrates a goal. AFL Photos via Getty Images
Captain: Jordan Dawson
The Crows are a rather boring entry to start with here because Jordan Dawson is clearly the long-term leader of the club. He was an inspired pick in just his second season at the club to take the mantle and has flourished in the role, becoming one of the game’s best players. He will skipper Adelaide for many more years.
Verdict: No change
Harris Andrews, Chris Fagan and Lachie Neale of the Lions hold the premiership cup aloft via Getty Images
Captain: Harris Andrews and Lachie Neale
They’ve held up the last two premiership cups, and there’s no reason for Brisbane to tinker with a winning formula. You’d imagine Hugh McCluggage is the next man up whenever the pair want to relinquish the responsibility, or perhaps Harris Andrews leads solo for a few years. Regardless, nothing changes for the reigning premiers in 2026.
Verdict: No change
Sam Walsh, Patrick Cripps, Jacob Weitering Getty
Captain: Patrick Cripps
Patrick Cripps is the personification of leadership, and nobody at Princes Park would suggest otherwise. The question for the 30-year-old is more whether it’s the right time for him to pass on the official leadership responsibilities to focus on getting the most out of the remainder of his career. He has taken as much punishment on his body as any player in the competition over the last decade.
It might be the best thing for him to hand over the burden, and Carlton has ready-made leaders in Jacob Weitering and Sam Walsh who could easily step up to the plate. Weitering feels like the man to take the mantle in 2026, while Cripps steps back from the official title, as the likes of Scott Pendlebury and Joel Selwood have done previously.
Verdict: It’s Jacob Weitering time
Nick Daicos and Darcy Moore embrace. AFL Photos via Getty Images
Captain: Darcy Moore
The question for Collingwood is more about when the right time is to pass the mantle to Nick Daicos. The Pies might be slightly hesitant given the looming spectre of the Tassie Devils, who could throw ludicrous amounts of money at Daicos to become their inaugural captain.
Darcy Moore has been an outstanding leader, and there’s certainly no need to rush him out. If not Daicos, Brayden Maynard would likely be the next man up. Our money is on Moore remaining skipper in 2026, with Daicos taking over in 2027 should he ultimately shun a move south.
Verdict: Stick with Moore
Zach Merrett and Andrew McGrath of the Bombers. AFL Photos via Getty Images
Captain: TBD
Essendon will have a new captain in 2026 after the call was made to move on from Zach Merrett, following his desperate bid to depart the club for arch-rivals Hawthorn in the trade period. It was an untenable situation and one that the Dons moved swiftly on.
Vice captain Andrew McGrath is the clear choice to replace Merrett, though defender Mason Redman could be another option. McGrath stood up beautifully during the trade period when Merrett thrust the club into the spotlight.
Verdict: Andrew McGrath
Nat Fyfe of the Dockers embraces with Alex Pearce. AFL Photos via Getty Images
Captain: Alex Pearce
Alex Pearce has proven many early doubters wrong and has been a great leader for Fremantle since taking over from Nathan Fyfe in 2023. There’s no reason for the Dockers to make a move off the key defender just yet.
The more difficult call will be choosing their next captain between superstars Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw when the time comes. Both currently serve as vice captains, and both seem like brilliant options. A good problem to have.
Verdict: One more year for Pearce
Patrick Dangerfield in 2025. Getty
Captain: Patrick Dangerfield
Patrick Dangerfield is clearly going to hold the mantle at Geelong until he retires, whenever that ends up being for the 35-year-old. Tom Stewart serves as the club’s vice captain, but is at a similar stage of his career to Dangerfield. Stewart might take the title for a few years before passing it to someone like Max Holmes or whoever else emerges at the Cattery.
Verdict: No change
Noah Anderson of the Suns celebrates kicking a goal. Getty
Captain: Noah Anderson
Noah Anderson just took over as Suns skipper in 2025 and led them to their first finals campaign. Making the move to the 24-year-old while veteran leaders Jarrod Witts and Touk Miller remain at the club must have been a brave call, but it was clearly the right one as Anderson took to leadership brilliantly. He’s the man long term.
Verdict: No change
Lachie Whitfield and Toby Greene of the Giants celebrate a win together. Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images
Captain: Toby Greene
One of the more clear-cut situations on this entire list. Toby Greene is unquestionably the indefinite captain of GWS, likely for the remainder of the 32-year-old’s career. Star midfielder Tom Green feels like the next man up whenever the time comes for that transition. Greene to Green, but not in 2026.
Verdict: No change
Hawthorn captain James Sicily. Â Getty
Captain: James Sicily
James Sicily at 30 remains the clear veteran leader of a young and hungry Hawks mob and the right man to lead them out in 2026. He is a tone setter, a defensive general and isn’t afraid to speak up in uncomfortable situations. Midfielders Will Day and Jai Newcombe would both make great captains, but there’s no need for the Hawks to pull that trigger just yet. Day needs to spend 2026 getting his body right before focusing on anything in the leadership space.
Verdict: No change
Max Gawn leads the Demons. Getty
Captain: Max Gawn
It feels like everything has changed at Melbourne in the last 18 months. They have new leaders at every position at the club, on and off the field and have moved on from so many prominent members of the 2021 premiership campaign. The one thing that surely will not change, however, is Max Gawn’s position as captain. No voice anywhere at the Dees carries more weight. It’s Gawn’s club until he says otherwise, and they need his steadying hand more than ever.
Verdict: No change
Nick Larkey of North Melbourne. Getty
Captain: Nick Larkey
Jy Simpkin made the call to step down as North skipper following his failed trade request, and even without it, it was the right time for a fresh voice at the top of the Kangaroos anyway. They have decided to go with key forward Nick Larkey for 2026, which is the right move for a few years before 21-year-old Harry Sheezel naturally assumes the mantle.
Verdict: The move to Larkey has already happened
Connor Rozee. Getty
Captain: Connor Rozee
Connor Rozee took over from Tom Jonas in 2024 and has shown no reason to question that decision to this point. Rozee certainly feels like the man to lead the Power long term. Particularly with doubts over Zak Butters’ future with the club. There’s been a lot of change at the Power this off-season, but the leadership situation won’t be part of that shifting.
If Butters does recommit to Port Adelaide long term at some point in 2026, then that conversation might be revisited in a year or two, but for now, it’s Rozee’s club.
Verdict: No change
Toby Nankervis of the Tigers. Getty
Captain: Toby Nankervis
Richmond is a team of young cubs protected by their towering ruck captain in Toby Nankervis, and that has at least another year of life in it. The 31-year-old is still the barometer for the Tigers with his physicality and presence.
Midfielder Tim Taranto is likely the next man up for a while, whenever that transition happens. He’d hold it until someone like Sam Lalor in the next generation is ready.
Verdict: One more year for Nank, then Taranto
Callum Wilkie of St Kilda. Getty
Captain: TBD
Before he even moved to Melbourne in the trade period, Jack Steele had decided to step down as Saints skipper, leaving a void to be filled for 2026. Key defender Callum Wilkie has been seen as the clear next man up for a while now; the only question is whether his flirtation with a move to the Bulldogs in the trade period rules him out of a leadership role.
Unlike others on this list, Wilkie’s situation seemed more about drawing some extra dollars out of the Saints than actually wanting to leave. No need for St Kilda to overthink this call.
Verdict: Callum Wilkie time
Errol Gulden of Sydney. Getty
Captain: Callum Mills
Callum Mills has barely been able to get on the park the last two seasons due to various injury setbacks, and Sydney has several young stars who would be perfect fits for leadership. Isaac Heeney is clearly the face of the club, and maybe the only reason he hasn’t taken the mantle is that he hasn’t wanted it.
Errol Gulden is also clearly a future skipper of the Swans; it’s just a matter of when. 2026 seems like a good time for the move. One of the best players in the competition, Gulden is ready to lead Sydney’s next premiership tilt. Knowing Sydney, they might just name six players captain again. Who knows.
Verdict: Shift to Gulden or Heeney (if he wants it)
Liam Baker of the Eagles. AFL Photos via Getty Images
Captain: Liam Duggan
Oscar Allen and Liam Duggan served as West Coast co-captains in 2025, but Allen has defected to Brisbane. Duggan has indicated that he would like to remain as skipper, but as the Eagles (hopefully) enter a new era, potentially starting to climb the ladder, it’s time for a new voice, and Richmond premiership hero Liam Baker is the perfect man for the job, entering his second year as an Eagle.
Baker is the perfect midfielder barometer who leads by example with his toughness and strength. He is the man to set the tone for the likes of Harley Reid and Willem Duursma at West Coast.
Verdict: Shift to Liam Baker
Marcus Bontempelli celebrates a goal. Getty
Captain: Marcus Bontempelli
Easiest one of the lot. Marcus Bontempelli is the Bulldogs’ best player, best leader and in the prime of his career. It’s likely not even a question that will be posed internally in any meetings at Whitten Oval over the summer whatsoever. Viva la Bont.
Verdict: No change