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?
Brisbane
It seems pretty obvious that Brisbane's current prince and king in waiting is star midfielder Will Ashcroft.
The call to make the two-time Norm Smith Medallist captain may not come for a few years yet with the likes of Andrews, McCluggage and Dunkley doing the job well.
But when it does it seems that Ashcroft will have the confidence, charisma and drive to lead the Lions into their next chapter once this dynasty is done. Whenever that may be.
But if for some reason Ashcroft is not the next in line, defender Darcy Wilmot could be an option.
Like Ashcroft, Wilmot performs on the big stage and his body and career have been consistent to date having not missed a single match since his debut late in 2023.
That's 99 games on the trot and his future, whether that be as a tough and talented defender or possibly moving into the midfield should see the charismatic 22-year-old be given more and more responsibility as a leader.
