Leadership at every AFL club is different. Some teams go for a solo captain, while another decides three co-captains is best. Some teams pick their best player to lead, while others believes a trusty stalwart galvanises the group more.
However each organisation does it, like the Flying Dutchmen in Pirates of the Caribbean, every crew and ship needs a captain. And there are some mighty fine captains in the AFL.
The pinnacle is Melbourne's Max Gawn who has led his club with honour during the good times and the bad, of which there have been plenty of both.
Newcomers such as Essendon's Andrew McGrath and North Melbourne's Nick Larkey are learning how tough the job can be this season.
While two-time reigning premiers Brisbane decided to move from two co-captains to a trio in 2026 with Harris Andrews, Hugh McCluggage and Josh Dunkley leading the charge.
But who are the next cabs of the rank at your club in terms of players that are captain material?
Adelaide
The Crows have the very definition of a captain leading by example in Jordan Dawson.
Not only is he a star, but he is a phenomenal leader at the club and beloved by Adelaide supporters and fans across the league. He has also continued his All-Australian worthy performances going despite the well-documented tragedy that occurred in the Dawson family this year.
While Dawson still has years to come as skipper of the Crows, his next in line seems to be leadership group member and key forward Darcy Fogarty.
At 26 years old and being Adelaide born and bred, Fogarty seems like a perfect example of the club's next skipper. But his ability to go missing in games could pose a problem.
So perhaps the Crows should scan further in the forward line and pick star tall Riley Thilthorpe.
While he has had a poor season to date as he battles on-going injuries, Thilthorpe, like Dawson, has the ability to grab games by the scruff of the neck and drag his side over the line.
Will be 24 this year and needs to regain his best form, but an apprenticeship under Dawson could see Thilthorpe evolve into the Crows' next great leader.
Another option could be the tough and improving Sam Berry.
