After a tense trade period, it appears several clubs will be forced to make changes to their leadership group in 2026.
Whether it's because a captain departed, as was the case with Oscar Allen and the West Coast Eagles, or due to a captain's desired exit falling through, a number of teams have decisions to make ahead of next season.
So, which clubs should you expect to change captain next year, and who is their likely replacement?
Essendon
The most obvious changing of the guard will take place at Tullamarine, after a tense off-season between the Bombers and superstar midfielder Zach Merrett.
Merrett's "disenchantment" with the direction of the club saw him wish for a move to Hawthorn as he chases premiership success, now being on the wrong side of 30, but Essendon's unwillingness to relent in their stance on Merrett saw a blockbuster package of three first-round draft picks get flatly rejected.
While the Bombers still see Merrett as a required player, he's unlikely to be viewed as the required captain. Andrew McGrath lurks as first in line to take his place, given he's been Merrett's vice-captain for the last three seasons and is a constant in the Dons side, averaging 22.7 disposals per game in 2025 and being one of just four Bombers to play all 23 games this year.
West Coast
The Eagles' historically awful 2025 campaign was soured even further when captain Oscar Allen was exposed for meeting with rivals, with the key forward ultimately departing for the reigning premiers this off-season.
His co-captain Liam Duggan has confirmed he is committed to doing the job in 2026, but if the Eagles are to keep the co-captain system, Allen will still need a replacement.
2025 club best-and-fairest winner Liam Baker may be the top choice given his history of success at Richmond and the clear leadership tendencies he demonstrated during this season.
His position on the field could help elevate his status as a leader, directing off of half-back to uplift the young midfield engine room that has serious upside entering next year, should West Coast select Willem Duursma first overall next weekend.
North Melbourne
Jy Simpkin's trade request from Arden Street came as a surprise to most, and while his desired exit ultimately fell through on deadline day, Simpkin confirmed he will step back from leadership duties in 2026 as he deals with his mental health.
Harry Sheezel looms as the perfect replacement, though many will question whether captaining a 21-year-old is too large of a task to place on one of the game's emerging young superstars.
Sheezel was appointed as co-vice-captain with Nick Larkey this year, however, proving he's keen to become one of the game's great leaders. Therefore, potentially promoting both Larkey and Sheezel into the co-captain role could be the way to go for the Kangaroos, as it relieves the pressure of a sole captaincy role for Sheezel while also ensuring stability at the head of North Melbourne's playing list.
Larkey is locked into North Melbourne until 2029, while Sheezel penned an extension until 2030 in early 2024. This confidence in the club demonstrates their willingness to build toward greener pastures and highlights why they may be the best pick to lead the Roos moving forward.
St Kilda
Jack Steele's departure from St Kilda was a sudden one, hastily agreeing to a move to the Demons despite being under contract with the Saints through 2027 after the club told him to explore his options.
In the wake of his departure is an opening for the captaincy role at Moorabbin in arguably the club's most exciting era since the late 2000's, with superstar Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera recommitting to the club and the Saints landing several big fish in this year's free agency and trade period.
The favoured candidate to become St Kilda captain is key defender Callum Wilkie, which makes sense. The Saints recently bolstered his contract to ensure he remains at the club after he was headhunted by the Western Bulldogs, and he's been the vice-captain since 2023.
His cool-headed presence in defensive 50 has ensured Ross Lyon's defensive gameplan has thrived at St Kilda, leading the Saints in intercept marks in three of the past four seasons.
That trait is certainly something that could benefit the Saints, as they enter 2026 with a serious target on their back for perhaps the first time this decade following their ambitious, and successful, off-season coup of talent.
Beyond 2026
There are a few other clubs that may be required to replace their current captain in the coming seasons, as the stars leading their club presently head into the twilight years of their esteemed careers.
Geelong's Patrick Dangerfield may be next to retire among the current crop of captains and the Cats have a plethora of options to replace him with. Tom Stewart's career is far from over and he could make the step from vice-captain to sole captain while Max Holmes also lurks as a long-term choice.
Max Gawn could step down from his role as the Demons leader in the final stages of his career, soon to be 34 years old. A replacement would be a tough choice, and the next man up would have gigantic shoes to fill, but perhaps Melbourne offer the role to Kysaiah Pickett in the hopes it will shore up his commitment to the club long-term and prevent a potential move home to Western Australia in the future.
Similarly, Richmond's Toby Nankervis is 32 years old next season. He still has plenty to give as the key rucking option in the side, but as the club continues its rise under Adem Yze, there's potential for the captaincy role to change hands down the line to a player who could spend another decade at the club.
It will be interesting to see which of the young Tigers see their leadership skills develop most over the next few seasons, but Tim Taranto at 27 years old could be an option too, providing he's committed to riding the rebuild ship for a couple more years.
