There are just under six weeks until the start of the 2023 AFL season, and more than half a dozen clubs are yet to settle on a captain.
North Melbourne appointed Luke McDonald and Jy Simpkin in recent weeks, while Darcy Moore took the leadership at Collingwood on Wednesday.
West Coast also recently confirmed Luke Shuey would go around again in 2023 in leading the Eagles.
Of the other clubs, Patrick Cripps is all but certain to remain in charge of Carlton, as is Jarrod Witts and Touk Miller at Gold Coast.
Barring a massive U-turn, Max Gawn will stay on at Melbourne, as will Jack Steele at St Kilda, while Dylan Grimes and Toby Nankervis look set to continue the second year of their partnership at Richmond.
It would also be a surprise to see Sydney move away from the successful trio of Luke Parker, Dane Rampe and Callum Mills at the helm after last year’s surge up the ladder, while Marcus Bontempelli is all but assured of his captaincy at the Western Bulldogs.
The remaining eight clubs have a decision to make. See the latest on your side below.
Rory Sloane has captained Adelaide for four seasons, but after the midfielder managed just a handful games last year, the Crows have a decision to make.
Teammate Sam Berry recently heaped praise on his skipper as a fantastic leader, but it could be up in the air if Sloane will continue on.
Tom Doedee shapes as the obvious successor, having cemented himself among the best key defenders as a 25-year-old. Reily O'Brien and Ben Keays were also added to the leadership group in 2022.
Dayne Zorko took over from Dayne Beams in 2018 and has led the Lions through a period of success since. But Zorko will be 34 by the time the season starts, and Chris Fagan could opt for a change in voice.
Zorko recently told SENQ that Brisbane would go through a process at some point in February, and while he voiced his desire to continue on, stated it was “ultimately one for the hierarchy to decide”.
He also named key defender Harris Andrews as “probably the next in line” for the captaincy.
7 News’ Mitch Cleary suggested the Lions could go with a different leadership model in 2023.
“Andrews along with Hugh McCluggage I think have put their hand up with Dayne Zorko, maybe even a co-captaincy model at the Lions (could be on the cards),” Cleary told SEN Sportsday on Thursday night.
Dyson Heppell turned down trade interest to remain a Bomber last year, but he’s far from a certainty to remain captain in 2023.
Heppell was an important player for the Dons in 2022, but not the influential midfielder he once was. He’ll turn 31 during the upcoming season and may seek to focus on his football in the twilight of his career.
Brad Scott is blessed with a number of options to take over, but Zach Merrett appears to most obvious.
One of the most consistent midfielders in the competition over the last seven seasons and at the age of 27, Merrett seemingly has everything in his favour to succeed Heppell this year or next. He’s also signed on a long-term contract with the Bombers.
Merrett’s deputy vice-captain, Andy McGrath has always shown leadership capabilities but may need to improve his on-field performance.
Mason Redman and Kyle Langford have also been praised by former Bomber David Zaharakis on SEN Breakfast for their leadership capabilities.
Nat Fyfe, who has held the Fremantle captaincy since 2017, is undoubtedly one of the most talented players in the league.
But there are several factors in the argument to replace Fyfe. He’s 31, managed just seven games in 2022 and appears likely to play forward of centre in 2023 as he looks to get continuity back into his footy.
The Dockers also have several options to take over. Young gun Andy Brayshaw is clearly a skipper in waiting and has the on-field performances to match, while Alex Pearce is also a cool head down back and a member of the leadership group.
Cleary believes a change could be on the cards.
“The noise out of the Dockers is they might go away from Nat Fyfe, maybe Alex Pearce or Andy Brashaw,” Cleary stated.
As Cleary notes, it seems to be a race of three to replace Joel Selwood.
“If you’d asked me six months ago I would have thought Tom Stewart was well and truly in front, but there has been a push for (Mark) Blicavs and (Patrick) Dangerfield in the last few months,” Cleary said.
“Steve Hocking (CEO) and Simon Lloyd (footy manager) are the two big decision makers down there – along with Chris Scott – and they’ve just come back from holidays in the last sort of week.
“They might take a little bit longer than other clubs to make a decision around their captaincy.”
Former Cats assistant Brenton Sanderson has said Blicavs would be his choice, while Dwayne Russell implored the club to choose Dangerfield, even as a short-term option.
Toby Greene, Josh Kelly and Stephen Coniglio all shared the role last year, but new coach Adam Kingsley may opt for a new model.
But Kingsley told AFL Media last month a call was still some way away.
“I‘d be really comfortable with any of those boys. Now, whether it’s going to be a sole captain or whether it’s dual or the three captains again, I’m far from making a decision on that. I don’t think we’re in any hurry and we don’t need to be in any hurry to make a decision on that,” Kingsley told AFL Media.
Kane Cornes has also repeatedly called for Toby Greene to be made the Giants’ sole captain, stating: “He’s the captain for me. This three captain stuff hasn’t worked at the Giants”.
Hawthorn is one of the few clubs that will certainly make a change after Ben McEvoy’s retirement last year.
However, it seems an easy gap to fill. Club great Dermott Brereton has called for James Sicily’s appointment as captain, while Luke Hodge also voiced his support for the intercepting defender earlier this week.
At 28 and an elite of the competition, Sicily is perfectly placed to assume the leadership. Early last year, McEvoy also suggested Will Day was a future leader of the club.
Tom Jonas has done a fine job solo at the helm. However, 2022 was a disaster for Port Adelaide, one which Ken Hinkley might do everything possible to put far behind the club.
While Ollie Wines struggled in his one year as co-captain, club great Kane Cornes believes the time is right for him to take the captaincy again after two brilliant seasons.
“I think if you’re serious about making a premiership charge you’d want your Brownlow Medallist, around the football, the character that he is, I’d probably go with Ollie Wines as well,” Cornes told SEN last year.
Darcy Byrne-Jones is the other member of the 2022 leadership group.