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AFL 2023: Who will captain your club? All 18 teams analysed.

Captaincy is a challenging job, even more so as players get older and start to slow down. So which veteran AFL skippers should be handing the job over to younger leaders?

The leaders who can step up to captain their clubs in 2023.
The leaders who can step up to captain their clubs in 2023.

Changes are afoot when it comes to thee captaincy of clubs across the AFL.

Geelong’s Joel Selwood and Hawthorn’s Ben McEvoy have both retired,while a host of other skippers are well past 30 and look set to hand over the baton.

Here’s who we are tipping to lead your club in 2023.

ADELAIDE

Rory Sloane has led the Crows well since 2019, during a tough period for the club. However, it is time to pass over the baton. Sloane turns 33 in March and is coming off an ACL injury, which is likely to restrict his 2023 campaign. Defender Tom Doedee stood in as skipper during Sloane’s absence with the injury this year and performed admirably, having long been viewed as a future captain of the club. The time looks right to transition to Doedee on a permanent basis, given he will have Sloane at the club for at least one more year to support him.

Verdict: Doedee can do it.

Tom Doedee looks ready to take over the reins from Rory Sloane as captain of Adelaide. Picture: Getty Images
Tom Doedee looks ready to take over the reins from Rory Sloane as captain of Adelaide. Picture: Getty Images

BRISBANE LIONS

It’s time for a change of on-field leadership at the Lions. After four years in the role and a season when the blowtorch shone on his captaincy following a round 23 sledging episode, Dayne Zorko should step aside for a new skipper at the Lions. Brownlow medallist and midfield star Lachie Neale should be the first in line. Zorko’s captaincy came under the spotlight at the end of the season when he made headlines after taking aim at Harrison Petty’s mother with a derogatory slur, leaving the Melbourne defender in tears. Zorko apologised for the incident, but it left many AFL pundits questioning if he deserved to remain skipper next year. Regardless of the final-round incident, Zorko turns 34 in February. Harris Andrews served as Zorko’s sole deputy this year with Neale among the wider leadership group. Already a leader as the Lions’ best player, there is no debate over 29-year-old Neale’s credentials. Andrews, 25, and midfielder Hugh McCluggage, 24, can share the vice-captaincy.

Verdict: Lachie should be the leading Lion

CARLTON

The Blues might have narrowly missed the finals in 2022, but it certainly wasn’t for lack of leadership or performance from captain Patrick Cripps. The midfield monster cemented his status as one of the champions of the game when he claimed his first Brownlow Medal alongside a fourth club best-and-fairest award. In his first season as sole skipper after he was appointed co-captain with Sam Docherty the previous three years, Cripps elevated his game and leadership to another level in 2022. At the age of 27, Cripps still has years ahead of him in the role to further develop into one of the game’s great leaders. Young midfield star Sam Walsh and key defender Jacob Weitering were appointed co-vice captains under Cripps this year. No. 1 draft pick Walsh, 22, is clearly a future leader and should play a support role again.

Verdict: Captain Cripps isn’t going anywhere

Patrick Cripps is not going anywhere as Carlton captain. Picture: Michael Klein
Patrick Cripps is not going anywhere as Carlton captain. Picture: Michael Klein

COLLINGWOOD

Given his continued exceptional service, Scott Pendlebury has the captaincy credits to hold onto the role as long as he wants it, or keeps playing. Nine years into the job, the midfield veteran remains an outstanding leader for the Magpies as he defies father time with his remarkable durability. But at age 34 – 35 in January – is it time for the Magpies’ to start looking to the future? Key defender Darcy Moore, 26, has all the qualities to make an excellent captain. After signing a six-year contract extension to stay a Magpie earlier in the year, Moore spoke of his future leadership aspirations. Moore was one of three vice-captains supporting Pendlebury in 2022 alongside Taylor Adams, 29, and Jeremy Howe, 32. It could serve the Magpies well to install a new captain while Pendlebury is still playing, so his leadership is still there to lean on. Adams or Jack Crisp could be in the mix. But with the Pies in the flag window after a preliminary final berth this year, Pendlebury has every right to hang onto the job for another year.

Verdict: Pendlebury’s position

ESSENDON

After conjecture about his future this year, Dyson Heppell re-signed to remain at Essendon for at least one more season, but he is unlikely to stay on as captain. Heppell has served as Bombers’ skipper since 2017, but it is the perfect time for fresh on-field leadership as the club ushers in a new era under it’s next coach Brad Scott. Midfielder Zach Merrett was Heppell’s vice-captain this season and is the obvious candidate to step into the role. A three-time Essendon best-and-fairest and two-time runner-up, Merrett is consistently one of the Bombers’ top performers. At 27, Merrett has age on his side to grow into the captaincy and would benefit by stepping into the role with Heppell still at the club.

Verdict: Merrett’s moment

Will Zach Merrett take over as Essendon captain next year? Picture: Michael Klein
Will Zach Merrett take over as Essendon captain next year? Picture: Michael Klein

FREMANTLE

Is it time to give Nat Fyfe the heave-ho as captain? After six years as Dockers’ skipper – and another injury-interrupted year – the timing is right for Fyfe to step aside and usher in fresh blood into the role. That fresh blood is midfield star Andrew Brayshaw. He might only be 22, but Brayshaw already plays like a leader and stamped himself as one of the game’s stars in a standout season in which he claimed his first club best-and-fairest award and finished equal-fourth in the Brownlow Medal count. The move would give Fyfe the opportunity to focus on his own body and game after playing just six matches in 2022. Caleb Serong and Alex Pearce, both in the leadership group this year, could serve as Brayshaw’s deputies.

Verdict: Fresh Brayshaw blood


GEELONG

Big shoes to fill down at the Cattery. None bigger as a captain at the club, in fact. Fearless leader Joel Selwood’s retirement after Geelong’s flag win leaves the Cats looking for a new captain for the first time in 10 years. The Cats still have plenty of experienced options in line to succeed him. Midfield star Patrick Dangerfield, 32, has served as Selwood’s deputy since 2017, while backline leader Tom Stewart was elevated to co-vice captaincy alongside Dangerfield for the first time this year. Spearhead Tom Hawkins was also recognised for his on-field leadership when he was named as captain of the All-Australian team this year. But Stewart, at the age of 29, looms as the most likely candidate to step into Selwood’s shoes. Selwood holds the record for most games as captain at Geelong after leading the Cats in 239 games.

Verdict: Tom’s time

Tom Stewart is a leading contender to replace Joel Selwood as Geelong captain. Picture: Michael Klein
Tom Stewart is a leading contender to replace Joel Selwood as Geelong captain. Picture: Michael Klein

GOLD COAST

Ruckman Jarrod Witts and midfield star Touk Miller shared the Gold Coast captaincy in 2022 and there’s no reason for the Suns to make any changes for next season. If anything, you could mount an argument for 26-year-old Miller to assume the role on his own, but it will be his regardless of when 30-year-old Witts stands down. Miller confirmed his status as one of the star’s of the game in 2022, named a joint-winner of the AFL Coaches Association MVP, back-to-back club best-and-fairest awards and finishing third in the Brownlow Medal.

Verdict: Suns status quo

GWS

The Giants implemented a three co-captains set up this year, with Toby Greene and Josh Kelly elevated to support Stephen Coniglio. While GWS now had a new coach at the helm in Adam Kingsley – who might have different ideas – it would make sense to retain that set up. What the Giants will need to do is find more emerging leaders to add to their leadership group, given the retirement of Matt de Boer and the departure of Jacob Hopper, who were both part of an eight-man leadership group last year.

Verdict: Coniglio, Greene and Kelly makes sense.

HAWTHORN

Star backman James Sicily must surely be a lock to replace retired ruckman Ben McEvoy as Hawks’ captain after the loss of so much experience from the club’s list. Sicily, 27, auditioned when he captained the Hawks as part of their rotation while McEvoy was sidelined with a neck injury last year along with Jaeger O’Meara. But the departure of O’Meara (Fremantle), Tom Mitchell (Collingwood) and Jack Gunston (Brisbane Lions) during the trade period has left experience and other candidates thin on the ground. After making a successful return from an ACL injury at the start of the 2022 season, Sicily is already one of the Hawks’ most important players, but his experience and leadership will be even more critical for a young Hawks’ list in transformation. McEvoy took over the Hawks’ captaincy in 2021 from Ben Stratton.

Verdict: Sicily’s a certainty

James Sicily is the obvious next captain of Hawthorn. Picture: Getty Images
James Sicily is the obvious next captain of Hawthorn. Picture: Getty Images

MELBOURNE

Would be a major surprise if there was a change to the Demons’ captaincy for 2023. Ruck star Max Gawn has proven his credentials as Melbourne’s leader since he assumed the captaincy in 2020. Melbourne had the same two-man leadership structure in 2022 as they did in their premiership-winning year in 2021 with Jack Viney serving as Gawn’s deputy. Premiership and All-Australian captain in 2021, Gawn turns 31 in December but he has developed into one of the competition’s best leaders alongside his status as one of the game’s top players. Gawn had his leadership tested this year when the Demons had to navigate the fallout from a restaurant fight between teammates Steven May and Jake Melksham. Midfield leader Viney should also retain his support role.

Verdict: Gawn’s gig

NORTH MELBOURNE

Jack Ziebell has been captain of the Kangaroos for the past six years and has been a warrior throughout. But he is coming towards the end of his AFL career and turns 32 in February. Jy Simpkin has been groomed to become the club’s next captain over recent years and looks ready to take over. Simpkin turns 25 in March and has won North Melbourne’s best and fairest the past two years. Luke McDonald has served as co-vice-captain alongside Simpkin and finished fifth in the best and fairest this year but looks the less likely option.

Verdict: Simpkin’s time to shine.

PORT ADELAIDE

Tom Jonas has done a good job as skipper over recent years, but he turns 32 in January and it might be time for a change. Ollie Wines was a co-captain alongside Jonas in 2019. However, that appointment lasted only one season as Wines endured a tough year with injury and his form dropped off. But the 2021 Brownlow Medal winner is now 28 years old and has shown all the traits required to be an AFL captain since a young age. The time looks right to give him another crack in the role.

Verdict: Bring back Ollie.

Ollie Wines looks a chance to return to the captaincy at Port Adelaide. Picture: Getty Images
Ollie Wines looks a chance to return to the captaincy at Port Adelaide. Picture: Getty Images

RICHMOND

The Tigers only changed their leadership last year, with Dylan Grimes and Toby Nankervis becoming the first co-captains in the club’s history. There’s no reason not to continue with the status quo again in 2023. Nankervis leads by example out on the field and has the respect of his teammates when he does talk, but a lot of the talking is left to Grimes who is more methodical. Younger players including Jack Graham, Jayden Short, Jack Ross, Thomson Dow and Hugo Ralphsmith all have leadership qualities but are not ready to take the mantle just yet.

Verdict: Another year of Grimes and Nankervis

ST KILDA

A new coach in Ross Lyon could bring about a new-look leadership group at the Saints. However, Jack Steele won’t be shelved from his current role as captain. Steele finished third in St Kilda’s best-and-fairest this year after being a back-to-back winner of the award the previous two seasons. The 26-year-old leads by example with his ball-winning ability through the midfield and is one of only a few players who regularly step up when the going gets tough. Jarryn Geary was part of a five-man leadership group last year but has retired. Could Rowan Marshall step up to fill his spot and potentially even take on a vice-captain role?

Verdict: There’s only one option – Steele.

Expect Jack Steele to keep the St Kilda captaincy. Picture: Michael Klein
Expect Jack Steele to keep the St Kilda captaincy. Picture: Michael Klein

SYDNEY

The Swans have run with three co-captains for the past four years now and there was a refresh of that group made just last year when Callum Mills stepped up to join Luke Parker and Dane Rampe. Mills went on to win the club’s best-and-fairest this year, showing that he was not bogged down by the new title but instead continued to thrive. Parker and Rampe still remain key parts of the team and are impressive on-field leaders, even though both are now over 30. With Josh Kennedy’s retirement, best-and-fairest runner-up Chad Warner would have to be a chance to find his way into the leadership group.

Verdict: Three’s a party at Sydney.

WEST COAST

It was a year from hell for the Eagles and there does not look like being an enormous amount of upside in 2023. Luke Shuey has served as captain for the past three years and looks likely to hold the mantle again given a lack of other options. Jeremy McGovern and Nic Naitanui were vice-captains this year but are also both over 30 and missed a significant amount of the season through injury. Tom Barrass, Liam Duggan and Oscar Allen were also part of the leadership group but none of those trio appear quite ready to take the reins just yet. That said, Barrass did have a strong campaign and won the club’s best-and-fairest this year.

Verdict: One more year for Shuey.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

There are few things more certain than Marcus Bontempelli holding onto the captaincy at the Bulldogs next year. The 26-year-old is the Bulldogs’ best player and is a natural leader who recorded a top-four finish in the club’s best-and-fairest count for an eighth successive season. Bontempelli looks like retaining the skipper role for as long as he wants it. Also expect fellow midfielder Jack Macrae to remain as vice-captain after he stepped up to that role last year.

Verdict: Lock in the Bont.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-2023-who-will-captain-your-club-all-18-teams-analysed/news-story/593c6d4efbd0804f4a8e4d88d1bd4548