Former Brisbane Captain Dayne Zorko has endorsed teammate Hugh McCluggage to become the 12th skipper in the club's history.
Zorko made the decision yesterday that he would be stepping down from the role after five seasons.
Taking over from Dayne Beams on an interim basis in late May 2018, Zorko would lead the side for the rest of the season before being given the captaincy on a permanent basis in 2019.
Speaking to SENQ's Pat and Heals on Wednesday morning, Zorko believes either McCluggage, vice-captain Harris Andrews or 2020 Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale will be the next Captain to lead the side.
"More than likely (Andrews is the leading candidate). Harris has been the vice-captain for the last three years under myself," Zorko said.
"He's a really well respected voice amongst the playing group and around the club, he does everything right, he's a really vocal leader.
"The other candidates are someone like Lachie Neale and Hugh McCluggage.
"Hugh for me is the one that probably has the ability to do it, whether maybe he's a little too raw at the moment or he wants to find his feet a little bit more, that's a decision the club will have to make.
"For me, he would be the perfect fit.
"It's a big process and I'm sure the club will make the best decision possible. Those are the three in my mind stick out as the clear candidates to take over the role."
When asked about the decision to relinquish the captaincy, Zorko said he only came to a decision on Monday. However, the 33-year-old said it's the right time to allow a new voice to lead the reins.
"I firmly believe the club is in really good hands going forward and I guess for me it was a little bit of a decision that I'd rather step down on my own accord than potentially have Fagan tap me on the shoulder at the end of the season and say, 'hey mate I reckon it's time we move on'," he said.
"I think it's the right decision. I think the timing is really good. Obviously I'll still be there to support whoever takes over as captain and guide them in whatever way I possibly can, but just stepping back from those formal roles will hopefully allow me time I can spend with family and of course to get mt body right to have the best possible year I can.
"I'd only really made the decision on Monday morning with Fagan in his office that it was probably the right thing at the right time to step aside and let someone else take over.
"Judging by a few of the faces in the room and even talking to a few of the boys in the room after the meeting they said, ' we didn't see that coming, who are we going to vote for now?
"It's a wide open race. Whoever does become the new captain and what that new leadership group looks like, I'll be there to support them."
Zorko has played 230 games for the Lions since making his debut in 2012.
