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?
Collingwood
Some could argue Brayden Maynard's passion and love for the club and badge should see him become the Magpies' next skipper.
But the smarter option would be to make superstar Nick Daicos captain, probably from next season onwards given Darcy Moore's poor run with injury.
From the outside it looks as if Daicos has captaincy written all over him and he has done a terrific job leading the club with Moore stuck on the sidelines in 2026.
The move may also help keep Daicos from having a wandering eye in terms of moving to Tasmania or Gold Coast down the track.
The league's new little master is on target for his first Brownlow Medal this season, and if he was to become captain that would just about be everything he could have possibly ticked off achievement-wise, other than a Coleman Medal.
If Daicos was to leave in the future, a bit of a curveball selection and on the provision that this guy would continue his rise and become a consistent footballer, Angus Anderson seems like he has captain qualities.
