With leadership change looming at some clubs and long-term planning underway at others, we forecast who's next in line to captain each club in 2026 or beyond.
Some clubs have laid a solid leadership foundation as they enter, or remain in, the premiership window, while others will look to re-shuffle their leadership as they prepare to build their next premiership team.
Hawthorn
Jai Newcombe
James Sicily has captained the Hawks for the past three seasons. He has led the club superbly, reaching the finals in 2024 and 2025 after a 16th-place finish in 2023. Turning 31 next year, Sicily will likely lead the Hawks again in 2026 as they push to go one better and reach the last day in September.
When the Hawks choose to move on from Sicily, it is becoming increasingly likely Jai Newcombe could be the heir apparent. Newcombe has been one of the success stories of the Mid-Season Draft, playing 102 matches since being drafted in June 2021.
He has quickly become one of the best young midfielders in the competition and has earned more than 60 coaches' votes in each of his past three seasons.
The way Newcombe plays reflects the hallmarks of a great leader. Tough, team-first and reliable, Newcombe's ferocious attack on the contest is inspiring. Furthermore, he has established himself as one of the AFL's best finals players. In five finals, Newcombe has averaged 29.3 disposals and recorded 33 coaches.
