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.
Port Adelaide
Jason Horne-Francis
Port Adelaide looks to have found a long-term captain in Connor Rozee. Rozee, who has been the captain since 2024, will lead the club again as they begin a new era under Josh Carr. With Rozee just 25, the Power won't be on the hunt for a new skipper in the near future.
But when the time comes, Jason Horne-Francis could be their man. Horne-Francis has divided the football world at times. He requested a trade out of North Melbourne after just his first year, while he has been caught up in a spate of on-field incidents early in his career as well.
But there is simply no doubting the way Horne-Francis plays the game. Hard-nosed, courageous and passionate, his style of play is similar to some of the greatest leaders our game has seen. Horne-Francis is the type of player that teammates love following into battle.
