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?
Richmond
The next captain at Richmond is a problem that is lurking below the surface of Punt Road, without much acknowledgment at the present.
Current captain Toby Nankervis turns 32 this season and seems to be battling through consistent injuries in the back end of his career.
Who will step up in his place and lead the next generation of Tigers is the question.
Midfielders Tim Taranto or Jack Ross are the safe - and nearly only - option for the club.
Former number one draft pick and budding star Sam Lalor seems to have leadership qualities and an ice-cool nature out on the field, but he is 19, has injury problems of his own and the last thing Richmond needs is a situation like Melbourne had with Jack Trengove and Jack Grimes who were given the reins too early in their careers as the Dees sunk like the Titanic.
So perhaps the Tigers need to look at a free agency captain as they develop their list. Someone in the 26-30 age bracket that can connect with the youth and lead them to maturity.
