Several AFL clubs will be considering captaincy changes for the 2025 season, with new leaders banging on the door and the need for fresh voices potentially of interest for the coming year.
More than half of the competition should see their same leaders continue their posts from 2024, with the supporting groups underneath them the more likely area for change.
With captaincy roles either set for change, under threat or locked in for 2025, we look at who will likely lead each AFL team and the potential incoming leadership grouo additions.
2024 Captain: Jordan Dawson
2024 Leadership Group: Brodie Smith (vc), Ben Keays (vc), Reilly O'Brien (vc), Darcy Fogarty, Lachlan Murphy, Wayne Milera, Mitch Hinge
Jordan Dawson is assumed to continue his stint as captain of the Crows, with his crop of vice captains and fellow leaders potentially undergoing change.
Brodie Smith might see his spot in the captaincy contingent rescinded after falling out of favour at selection. Reilly O'Brien and Ben Keays should retain their spots, with the latter tying with his captain for the 2024 Malcolm Blight Medal.
Expect to see a number of fresh faces in Adelaide's leadership group for 2025.
2024 Captains: Lachie Neale and Harris Andrews
2024 Leadership Group: Josh Dunkley (vc), Hugh McCluggage (vc), Jarrod Berry, Charlie Cameron, Oscar McInerney, Cam Rayner, Brandon Starcevich
The Lions will likely stick with their premiership-leading duo of Lachie Neale and Harris Andrews for the 2025 season as the Queenslanders commence their flag defence.
They listed seven other leadership group members for 2024 and each of the deputising septet have a standing that will have them in the mix for roles again for the coming season.
Young gun and Norm Smith Medal winner Will Ashcroft could land a leadership gig in his third season, and looms as the next successor as skipper down the track.
2024 Captain: Patrick Cripps
2024 Leadership Group: Charlie Curnow (vc), Sam Walsh (vc), Jacob Weitering (vc)
It's unlikely the Blues will undergo much change, if any, to their leadership group for 2025.
Cripps will continue his reign as captain for a seventh season and will likely carry that title until he hangs up the boots at Princes Park.
Their three positional vice-captains should also retain their roles, with Sam Walsh viewed as the most likely man to succeed Cripps one day.
Keep an eye on new draftee Jagga Smith down the line, with the exciting midfield sure to break through for a leadership role early into his career.
2024 Captain: Darcy Moore
2024 Leadership Group: Jeremy Howe (vc), Brayden Maynard (vc), Isaac Quaynor (vc)
Despite questions over his selection status last season, Moore remains a sure chance to be retained as captain of Collingwood for 2025.
The All-Australian will likely still have support from all of, or at least most of, fellow backmen Jeremy Howe, Brayden Maynard and Isaac Quaynor.
Star recruit Dan Houston could slot into a leadership role after holding down similar duties with Port Adelaide, while a spot for Nick Daicos could be up for grabs for 2025.
2024 Captain: Zach Merrett
2024 Leadership Group: Andrew McGrath (vc)
The Bombers are likely to stick with their same two-man leadership group for a third season after a solid stint so far under Merrett and McGrath.
The likes of Jye Caldwell, Nic Martin and Sam Durham stepped up last year and could break into leadership roles, while Ben McKay had a role with the Kangaroos before switching to Tullamarine for 2024.
2024 Captain: Alex Pearce
2024 Leadership Group: Andrew Brayshaw (vc), Caleb Serong (vc), Sam Switkowski, Jaeger O'Meara, Hayden Young
Dockers skipper Alex Pearce looks like the best chance to lead Fremantle in 2025, but the quality of supporting names underneath him are sure to give the club something to consider for the near future.
Andrew Brayshaw could be the club's next captain but he has a decision to make on his future before the end of next season. Fellow vice-captain Caleb Serong is an equally good shout, while Hayden Young could earn a promotion.
Jaeger O'Meara could make way among the wider leadership group, with the likes of Jordan Clark and Heath Chapman worthy shouts.
2024 Captain: Patrick Dangerfield
2024 Leadership Group: Tom Stewart (vc)
The Cats were the first club to confirm their leadership group ahead of the new year, confirming Patrick Dangerfield will lead the club for a third season in a row.
Tom Stewart will again be his vice-captain, with the star defender still a chance to take over from Dangerfield in 12 months time, despite the Brownlow Medal winner recently inking a two-year deal.
The Cats aren't short on unofficial leaders given the extent of senior figures and experienced players still occupying list spots, while young gun Max Holmes looks to be the short favourite as the club's long-term captaincy candidate.
2024 Captains: Touk Miller and Jarrod Witts
2024 Leadership Group: Noah Anderson (vc), Sam Collins (vc)
The Suns could be gearing up for a captaincy change in the next 12 months, with Witts himself preparing to hand the ruck baton over to emerging tall Ned Moyle in the coming seasons.
Touk Miller is still a vocal presence in midfield but could hand the captaincy over to one of Noah Anderson or Matt Rowell, with the latter needing to confirm his future at Carrara beyond the coming season.
Key defender and reigning best and fairest Sam Collins might be the best of the lot, with 2025 to be his sixth year in the Suns' leadership group.
2024 Captain: Toby Greene
2024 Leadership Group: Stephen Coniglio (vc), Josh Kelly (vc), Tom Green, Harry Perryman, Sam Taylor, Connor Idun
The change to have Toby Greene named as the sole skipper of the Giants proved to be an astute decision from GWS ahead of the 2023 season.
The electric forward will turn 32 in 2025 and have the club considering a succession plan, with star midfielder Tom Green the obvious option to take over the reins eventually.
A spot in the leadership group has opened up with Harry Perryman's departure to Collingwood, with the likes of Finn Callaghan, Brent Daniels and Toby Bedford names worthy of a promotion.
2024 Captain: James Sicily
2024 Leadership Group: Luke Breust (vc), Dylan Moore (vc), Sam Frost, Jarman Impey, Mitch Lewis, Will Day
James Sicily will again lead the Hawks as they embark on another season that may be threatening to the premiership race.
Dylan Moore will likely resume his vice-captaincy duties, while Luke Breust remains a worthy option but could move to a less official role in 2025.
Questions over Sam Frost's selection security could see a change to his spot, with the incoming Tom Barrass a vice-captain at the Eagles last season and worthy of a leadership role.
Jai Newcombe might also be added to the wider leadership group, with key forward Mitch Lewis potentially stepping back to focus on his recovery.
2024 Captain: Max Gawn
2024 Leadership Group: Jack Viney (vc)
Premiership captain Max Gawn will likely carry the captaincy through to his final game in the red and blue, whenever that will be.
2025 will be Gawn's sixth as captain of the Demons, with Jack Viney likely to be by his side for another season.
The Demons will start to consider their long-term captaincy options, with defensive duo Trent Rivers and Judd McVee looking to be mature assets worthy of attention.
Second-year speedster Caleb Windsor could also be considered, while draftee Xavier Lindsay will be one to watch over the coming years.
2024 Captains: Jy Simpkin and Luke McDonald
2024 Leadership Group: Nick Larkey (vc), Aidan Corr, Bailey Scott, Harry Sheezel
North Melbourne are sure to consider their captaincy contingent for 2025, with Luke McDonald perhaps not a best 23 player for the coming season.
It's hard to question Jy Simpkin's leadership at Arden Street, but a fresh voice - either the coming year or next - is likely to be called on.
Nick Larkey was the club's sole vice-captain last season, with the key forward maybe the one to take McDonald's spot for the next year.
Young star Harry Sheezel is the obvious choice to take over as captain one day, with the top job more likely to be his for 2026.
2024 Captain: Connor Rozee
2024 Leadership Group: Zak Butters (vc), Sam Powell-Pepper, Dan Houston, Willem Drew
The Power will again have Connor Rozee as captain, with partner-in-crime Zak Butters by his side.
Third midfield ace Jason Horne-Francis could step into a leadership role, with a vacancy opening after Dan Houston's departure.
Defensive trio Lachie Jones, Miles Bergman and Kane Farrell could also be in the mix for promotions if the Power search for a leader in their rearguard.
2024 Captain: Toby Nankervis
2024 Leadership Group: Liam Baker (vc), Tom Lynch (vc), Jayden Short (vc)
Richmond will be another club to weigh up a potential change to their top line of leaders, with standalone skipper Toby Nankervis potentially handing over the baton this year or next.
After Liam Baker's exit to West Coast, midfielder Tim Taranto looks to be the strongest option, but another year under Nankervis could be preferred.
Expect to see a new name or two in the leadership group for 2025 as the Tigers continue to work through their transition period.
2024 Captain: Jack Steele
2024 Leadership Group: Callum Wilkie (vc), Rowan Marshall, Seb Ross, Jack Sinclair
The Saints could look to partner captain Jack Steele atop their leadership group for 2025, with defender Callum Wilkie the obvious option should they make the change to shared skippers.
That could see one, or both, of Rowan Marshall and Jack Sinclair promoted to vice-captaincy duties, with the likes of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Marcus Windhager then banging on the door for maiden leadership group roles.
2024 Captain: Callum Mills
2024 Leadership Group: Dane Rampe (vc)
After making the move away from co-captains for 2024, the Swans are unlikely to move away from Callum Mills as their sole skipper.
Dane Rampe remains a key leader for the Bloods and should remain in the leadership group, but additional names around him could arise.
Nick Blakey, Errol Gulden, Tom McCartin and James Rowbottom all look to be worthy options for an expanded leadership group.
2024 Captains: Liam Duggan and Oscar Allen
2024 Leadership Group: Tom Barrass (vc)
West Coast could undergo the most change to their leadership group from last season, with vice-captain Tom Barrass departing and questions over the shared role of Liam Duggan and Oscar Allen.
The concern for the Eagles is that there may not be an obvious contender to step into the top job, likely giving Allen another year and potentially keeping Duggan there for stability too.
Emerging names in Brady Hough, Reuben Ginbey and Harry Edwards could be considered for leadership roles in the future, while draftee Bo Allan will also be in the mix early into his career.
2024 Captain: Marcus Bontempelli
2024 Leadership Group: Tom Liberatore (vc), Aaron Naughton (dvc), Caleb Daniel (dvc), Taylor Duryea, Ed Richards, Liam Jones
The Dogs will again be led by star Marcus Bontempelli, with premiership teammate Tom Liberatore also tipped to stick with his vice-captaincy position.
Deputy vice-captain Caleb Daniel has departed the club and will likely have his spot taken - potentially by Ed Richards - with Bailey Dale or Cody Weightman options to earn spots in the wider group.
Second-year midfielder Ryley Sanders will be a chance for leadership duties in the coming years, as will fellow sophomore Joel Freijah.