Collingwood are among several clubs that are sure to be weighing up their captaincy options for the 2022 season, with plenty of worthy candidates in line to succeed Scott Pendlebury as skipper.
Whether the Magpies pull the trigger this year or further into the future, the club won't be short on viable options to take on the captain's armband.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae has also flagged that a decision will also be placed on Pendlebury to decide whether to relinquish his duties as captain.
Should the 33-year-old opt to end his seven-year stint leading the black and white army, fellow midfielder Taylor Adams firms as a likely candidate to step into the role - at least that's what footy fans think.
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A recent poll that collected over 4,200 votes from Zero Hanger AFL fans has seen Adams' captaincy prospects almost level with his fearless skipper, who has claimed the majority in being seen as the Magpies' best captaincy option for 2022.
Pendlebury claimed 32% (1,345 votes) from the questionnaire, with Adams narrowly trailing on 30% (1,284).
Should the latter be given the nod as Collingwood's next captain, he will begin the new era under McRae at the Holden Centre.
The Magpies have seen vast changes to their football department and hierarchy in the past 12 months, and the captain's chair could be the next chess piece to move.
Should Collingwood look elsewhere from Adams' services, start trio Brodie Grundy (12%), Darcy Moore (11%) and Jack Crisp (10%) were narrowly divided among the count.
Grundy has proven to show valuable leadership credentials in his time at the Magpies, being a vocal presence both on and off the field.
The two-time Copeland Trophy winner has also penned his signature to the black and white for the long haul, standing as a loyal figure within the playing group.
Moore is another key figure within the Magpies' camp, having been an architect from defence under Nathan Buckley.
An unsigned contract for Moore could be another factor in the Magpies' decision, with the All-Australian defender and stood down star Jordan De Goey among those yet to recommit past this year.
Crisp has held a prolific role as a reliable utility between the backline and midfield since moving from the Lions.
A best and fairest campaign could see Crisp move into the magpies' leadership group for 2022, with the aforementioned Adams, Grundy and Moore having been named in the captaincy cohort for last year.
An 'other' option also collected 6% of votes in the count, with the likes of Jeremy Howe and Steele Sidebottom having taken on the duties of vice-captain alongside Taylor Adams in 2021.
Defender Brayden Maynard stands as the only other option Collingwood could consider to replace Pendlebury as captain, with the 25-year-old also among those to have re-signed with the club.
The Magpies are set to return to pre-season training as early as next week, with a timeline on their captaincy call yet to be made clear.
