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?
Gold Coast
It would appear current captain Noah Anderson will be the Suns' skipper for a long time yet.
He is 25 years old and in his second season as captain, with his first being a brilliant year earning him a maiden All-Australian blazer and the club making its first ever finals series and subsequent maiden September win.
However, Gold Coast has fallen away drastically in 2026 and Anderson is originally from Victoria and only contracted until the end of 2027.
Should the worst possibly happen and Anderson depart as skipper like others have before him, who will take over in his place?
His best mate and Brownlow Medal winner Matt Rowell is in the same position and his contract ends at the same time.
So the Suns should look to local talent that has grit and determination in them such as Bodhi Uwland.
He is already a leader at the club and is one of Gold Coast's most important players down back.
