David King believes Essendon will make the call to move on from captain Dyson Heppell, and has named Mason Redman as a “wildcard” to replace him.
The Bombers are yet to make a determination on who will lead them in 2023, with a decision to be made in the coming weeks.
King sees Zach Merrett as the “logical” next captain, but can see Redman being a great choice.
“I think it’s a good time to make a change. I think they will make a change. I think they’ll ask less of Dyson,” the Roos great told SEN’s Sportsday.
“I think Zach Merrett would be the logical choice there because of his CV and what he’s done for Essendon.
“But I could see a wildcard there. Someone like Mason Redman for me is the perfect role model for your youngsters coming in if you are regenerating a list.
“I think the way he plays is absolutely the way we all love players to play. He’s fully of bravery, full of dash, has a team first approach, he’s a great teammate, he’s a great preparer, he’s an arm around kind of guy, but he’s happy to deal a few home truths that will upset a few.
“I think Mason Redman would be a wonderful choice, but who knows, it probably depends on what you’re looking for.
“You can’t just vote the best bloke or your best mate. You’ve got to find the best captain for your football club and it is a significant role these days. It’s not just winning the coin toss and moving on.
“They’re big decisions that clubs have to get right.”
Stay up to date with all the latest news from SEN. Sign up HERE.