Leah Kaslar voted into Brisbane Lions captaincy by teammates, replacing Emma Zielke

Leah Kaslar has earned the ultimate vote of confidence from her teammates, elevated to the Lions’ AFLW captaincy, but the hardworking defender won’t be making any drastic changes.

Brisbane's former captain Emma Zielke, new skipper Leah Kaslar and vice-captain Sam Virgo.

When Leah Kaslar was handed the reins to take over as the Brisbane Lions’ AFLW captain, one of the first questions she asked herself was, “what am I going to do differently?”.

She did not mean what she was going to do differently to her predecessor Emma Zielke, but within herself.

The hardworking defender was voted in as skipper by the playing group last month, a strategy used by both the men’s and women’s teams at the Brisbane club to decide their leadership group.

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While Zielke is still in the team and a very much an important part of what the Lions do, Kaslar will officially lead the side for the first time.

And when it came time to assess what she can bring to the table as captain - with another player also asking her what she will do differently in her new position - the Gold Coast-based talent decided she just had to keep it simple.

She was voted in for a reason and Kaslar knows the most important thing she can do as the leader is to be herself.

Brisbane's former captain Emma Zielke, new skipper Leah Kaslar and vice-captain Sam Virgo.

“I have thought to myself, ‘what am I going to do differently?’,” she said.

“But I’m just going to continue doing what I’ve been doing for a few years.

“I always like to push at 100 per cent and try to drive and help people around me achieve their best. That’s something I want to continue.”

There is no doubt Kaslar will be compared to Zielke in some ways, especially given the success the former captain has enjoyed in the first two years of the AFLW.

Under Zielke, Brisbane qualified for both grand finals and - even though they are yet to win a premiership - have stamped their authority as one of the teams to beat for 2019.

Already 33-year-old Kaslar is being asked a lot about Zielke and from the outside it may seem like an awkward situation, but it is far from the case within the Lions’ four walls.

Kaslar, Zielke and fellow senior players Sam Virgo and Kate Lutkins have long supported each other and relied on each other to bring different strengths to the leadership group.

Kaslar, an environmental scientist, wants to maintain that in 2019 and has no qualms about going to Zielke for help or advice.

Leah Kaslar in action for Brisbane Lions.

“Being captain isn’t about doing everything yourself,” she said.

“It’s about doing your best and allowing people around you to do their best. I want a strong, inclusive group of leaders.

“I know that Emma has stood up in training like she always would and has given direction.

“Emma’s a fantastic leader, probably a smarter footballer than me. She hasn’t skipped a beat.

“We do all share similarities in what we do and the way we lead by example but we do have our differences.

“We’ve learnt to work together pretty well and we’ve been able to lean on each other and ask for help when needed. We’ve had a lot of success so far under her leadership and I respect her a lot.”

The third AFLW season will kick off on February 2, with Kaslar to make her official debut as captain on Sunday, February 3 against the GWS Giants at Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex.