The Brisbane Lions have confirmed their new co-captains for the 2023 season, with Lachie Neale and Harris Andrews set to take over the role from Dayne Zorko.
Zorko stepped down from his post last month after five years as captain, admitting that it was time to see a new leader in place at the Lions.
The decision comes after players were interviewed on Monday, with five players putting their hands up for the job after a team-wide vote on the leadership group. The final decision was made on Tuesday, with the season commencing in just over two weeks.
Andrews made his debut for the club in 2015, having played 160 games for the Lions since. An All-Australian defender, the 26-year-old has been a valued member of the leadership group at Brisbane since 2018.
Neale meanwhile heads into 2023 as co-captain after a stellar 2022 season, earning his third Lions best and fairest award since moving to the club in 2019. The Brownlow medallist served as a stand-in captain for the Lions last season, now moving into the role full-time alongside Andrews.
Hugh McCluggage has been named vice-captain, rounding out the three-man leadership group.
Speaking to club media, Andrews said it was an honour to co-captain the club after serving as vice-captain for five seasons.
โTo be identified as the co-captain of this football club is really exciting and something that probably hasn't sunk in yet, I am extremely proud of it when I look down at the names of those that have gone before me,โ Andrews said.
โTo feel that I've got the trust of the playing group alongside Lachie and the coaching staff, just having that support there is really important.
โTo me it gives me confidence to go out and play my game and also instruct the group and make sure we are going really well as a football club.โ
Brisbane's season gets underway on Saturday, March 18, against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval. Prior to Round 1, the Lions will play the Cats in a pre-season match on Thursday, March 2 at Brighton Homes Arena.
