North Melbourne have appointed co-captains for the 2023 season, with midfielder Jy Simpkin and defender Luke McDonald set to share the duties as Arden Street.
The decision follows Jack Ziebell's call to step down as captain of the club after leading the Roos in 111 games across a six-year span.
Both Simpkin and McDonald are familiar in sharing leadership roles, having split the vice-captaincy duties in 2022 as Ziebell's right-hand men.
The pair will now work together in leading the club through their first season under new senior coach Alastair Clarkson, with the club unveiling their new co-captains on Friday.
Simpkin has played 116 games in six seasons with North Melbourne, making his AFL debut the same year Ziebell began his reign as captain.
McDonald, who joined the Kangaroos as a father-son selection to follow in the footsteps of his father Donald, has played 159 games in the blue and white since his debut against Essendon in Round 1 of the 2014 season.
“The leadership vote was values-based, with a focus on who best represented our Shinboner Spirit,” Roos football boss Todd Viney told North Media.
“From the vote, we couldn't split Luke and Jy in terms of the influence they've had on the playing group and the club as two of our key leaders.
“Therefore, it was decided that for the first time in the club's history, the club would opt for a co-captaincy leadership model.
“Luke and Jy are outstanding individuals, well-equipped for this role both from a football and a cultural sense.
“Everyone at the club has great respect for Luke and Jy. They are both equally as passionate about getting the club back to where it needs to be, developing our young talent and fostering a positive club culture.”
The pair will lead a six-man leadership group in 2023, which includes Ziebell, Nick Larkey, Ben Cunnington and Ben McKay.
McKay joins the captaincy contingent for the first time in his career, with Kayne Turner and Aidan Corr making way after being part of the club's leadership group in 2022.
To some surprise, star midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke was not added to the leadership group ahead of his sixth season with the club.