Every AFL team's captain, leadership group for 2025

North Melbourne and Gold Coast lead the changes in the leadership department, appointing a new skipper and a standalone captain for the 2025 campaign. Noah Anderson will lead the Suns as a new era is set to dawn on the Queensland club, while the Kangaroos' Jy Simpkin has been given the nod after Luke McDonald stood down. Collingwood star Nick Daicos' promotion to vice-captain is without a doubt set to hold him in good stead as the next captain of the powerhouse club. But not all leadership groups are made up the same. Some sides have opted for a streamlined leadership team, while others have gone for a much bigger group. Take a look at who will be your club's captain, vice-captain and leadership group for 2025. ADELAIDE Captain: Jordan Dawson Vice-Captains: Reilly O'Brien, Ben Keays, Darcy Fogarty and Alex Neal-Bullen The Crows have appointed Jordan Dawson as captain of the club for the third straight season, with the Adelaide midfielder to be assisted by fellow Malcolm Blight Medal winners Ben Keays and Reilly O'Brien again in 2025. Sharpshooter Darcy Fogarty has stepped into a leadership role, with new recruit Alex Neal-Bullen also named as a vice-captain ahead of his first year at the club. “Our playing squad is continuing to evolve and improve, and it's not just about having a greater depth of talent but the understanding of what it takes to be a leader,” coach Matthew Nicks said. “It doesn't just fall to the guys who have an official title and instead every player must, and is expected to, drive standards and live our values. “Importantly, we must maintain a consistent level of performance on and off the field.” BRISBANE Captain: Harris Andrews and Lachie Neale Vice-Captain: Hugh McCluggage and Josh Dunkley Leadership Group: Charlie Cameron, Cameron Rayner, Brandon Starcevich, Jarrod Berry and Oscar McInerney Fresh off a premiership victory in 2024, the Lions are opting to keep the same nine-man leadership group, headed by co-captains Harris Andrews and Lachie Neale. Both Andrews and Neale took over ahead of the 2023, and as a good omen of their leadership, Brisbane has made the past two grand finals. GM of Football Danny Daly understands the group is large but believes it is a point of difference in the AFL. "We have played in two Grand Finals since they have been captains, so they have done an outstanding job as our captains and leaders," Daly said. "Some people might think that nine leaders are a lot to have, but we feel that they all bring something different. "When you have a playing list of 45 people and a big footy department it is really important to have a diverse range of opinions, ideas and leadership - which we feel complements our brand and style really well." CARLTON TBC. COLLINGWOOD Captain: Darcy Moore Vice-Captains: Brayden Maynard and Nick Daicos Leadership Group: Darcy Cameron, Daniel McStay, Jamie Elliot, Isaac Quaynor The Pies have increased the number of players in their leadership group, jumping from four to seven due to the inclusion of Nick Daicos, Darcy Cameron, Daniel McStay and Jamie Elliott. Darcy Moore will lead Collingwood for a third straight season. Magpies coach Craig McRae made the point of including two players from each line to assist Moore in his duties, while Daicos is no doubt set to be groomed to be the next club captain after being promoted into the group. Veteran defender Jeremy Howe opted to stand down from his role. ESSENDON Captain: Zach Merrett Vice-Captain: Andrew McGrath Leadership Group: Mason Redman, Kyle Langford and Nic Martin Merrett will lead the Bombers for the third straight season with Andrew McGrath as his deputy. Redman and Langford return to their previous roles while Martin has been elevated into the leadership group. FREMANTLE Captain: Alex Pearce Vice-Captain: Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw Leadership Group: Sam Switkowski, Jaeger O'Meara, Hayden Young and Josh Treacy The Dockers have voted in key defender Alex Pearce to lead the club once again, and will be supported by dynamo midfield duo Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw. Sam Switkowski, Jaeger O'Meara and Hayden Young reprise their leadership roles from 2024 while key forward Josh Treacy is the only change to the group. GEELONG Captain: Patrick Dangerfield Vice-Captain: Tom Stewart Geelong has kept the status quo as star pair Patrick Dangerfield and Tom Stewart have been re-elected into their 2024 roles. Dangerfield was initially earmarked to hand over the reins but will remain in the role. GOLD COAST Captain: Noah Anderson Vice-Captains: Touk Miller and Sam Collins Leadership Group: Ben King, Matt Rowell and Wil Powell A new era needs a new captain and Noah Anderson is the man. Anderson will take over from Touk Miller and Jarrod Witts, with the latter standing down from his leadership duties. Miller will join Sam Collins as vice-captain of the club while the introduction of youngsters Ben King, Matt Rowell and Wil Powell show the direction the club is heading. GWS Captain: Toby Greene Vice-Captains: Stephen Coniglio and Josh Kelly Leadership Group: Tom Green, Brent Daniels, Sam Taylor, Connor Idun and Jack Buckley The Giants have expanded their leadership group, which Toby Greene will head once again. Jack Buckley and Brent Daniels have been recognised for their leadership qualities and will replace the recently departed Harry Perryman, who joined Collingwood. HAWTHORN Captain: James Sicily Vice-captain: TBC Leadership group: TBC The Hawks are yet to confirm its full leadership group officially but James Sicily is all but locked to lead the club in 2025. MELBOURNE Captain: Max Gawn Vice-Captain: Jack Viney The Demons will go with an unchanged leadership pairing, led by star ruckman Max Gawn and tough-nut midfielder Jack Viney. Season 2025 will be Gawn's sixth year in charge, while Viney's re-appointment will see him reach a decade as a formal leader of the club. "It's always an honour to be recognised by your teammates and coaches, particularly as a leader," Gawn said. "Jack and I have built a strong partnership over the past six years together. We challenge each other, and those around us, as we both know what is required to be the team we want to be. "We are excited by the task ahead, and look forward to getting our season underway in three weeks' time." NORTH MELBOURNE Captain: Jy Simpkin Vice-Captain: Nick Larkey and Harry Sheezel North Melbourne have scrapped co-captains after Luke McDonald stood down from the position, allowing Jy Simpkin to lead the club. Harry Sheezel has joined Nick Larkey as a vice-captain at the Kangaroos. PORT ADELAIDE Captain: Connor Rozee Vice-Captain: Zak Butters Leadership Group: Sam Powell-Pepper and Willem Drew Connor Rozee will get a chance to lead the Power for the second straight season. Rozee will be assisted by Zak Butters, Sam Powell-Pepper and Willem Drew, who will all reprise their roles from 2024. The only change at Port Adelaide is the departure of Dan Houston (Collingwood). RICHMOND Captain: Toby Nankervis Leadership Group: Tim Taranto, Tom Lynch, Nathan Broad and Jayden Short Premiership ruckman Toby Nankervis will lead the Tigers for the fourth straight season after he was appointed alongside Dylan Grimes in 2022. Nankervis will be joined by first-timers Tim Taranto and Nathan Broad, with the former earmarked for a captaincy role in the future. Tom Lynch and Jayden Short hold onto their leadership positions at the club while the departure of Liam Baker (West Coast) is the only change. ST KILDA Captain: Jack Steele Vice-Captain: Callum Wilkie Leadership Group: Jack Sinclair, Mason Wood, Dan Butler Jack Steele will lead the Saints for a fifth year in a row as the headline in a five-man leadership group at Moorabbin. Callum Wilkie has held his role as vice-captain, with Jack Sinclair also remaining in the leadership group. The Saints have promoted veteran pair Dan Butler and Mason Wood to leadership positions for 2025. SYDNEY Captain: Callum Mills Vice-captain: TBC Leadership group: TBC Callum Mills will lead the Swans again in 2025 but in his early-season absence, we will get a better look at who will be supporting him throughout the year. WEST COAST Captain: Liam Duggan and Oscar Allen Vice-Captain: Jeremy McGovern Leadership Group: Jake Waterman, Liam Baker and Jack Graham The Eagles have committed to co-captains once again with Liam Duggan and Oscar Allen leading the club in 2025. Star defender Jeremy McGovern will continue as vice-captain while a trio of new faces will make up the leadership group. Former Richmond pair Liam Baker and Jack Graham got the nod from their new teammates while All-Australian forward Jake Waterman will stand by them. Tom Barrass (Hawthorn) is the only change. WESTERN BULLDOGS Captain: Marcus Bontempelli Vice-Captain: Tom Liberatore Deputy vice-captain: Aaron Naughton Leadership Group: Bailey Dale, Cody Weightman, Taylor Duryea, Liam Jones and Ed Richards The Bulldogs have added to the leadership group that Marcus Bontempelli will lead into battle for the sixth straight season. Bailey Dale and Cody Weightman have been added to the group while Caleb Daniel (North Melbourne) is the only change.

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	ADEL	23	18	5	72	139.3
2	GEEL	23	17	6	68	141.5
3	BL	23	16	6	66	114.2
4	COLL	23	16	7	64	122.4
5	GWS	23	16	7	64	115.3
6	FRE	23	16	7	64	109
7	GC	23	15	8	60	124.9
8	HAW	23	15	8	60	120.9

Every AFL team’s captain, leadership group for 2025

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