The time to hang up the boots is always a spot of contention, but for a captain, when is the right time to hang over the reins?
Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield cast some doubt over his captaincy role in 2025.
The 2016 Brownlow Medallist took over from Cats legend Joel Selwood following the 2022 premiership but declared that longevity in the position isn't always the best thing for the club.
"I think, as always, for us, it's what's the best thing for next season," Dangerfield said on Monday.
"Yeah, it's about the right job for anyone next year, and it's not for one person to own for a very long period of time unless you'reย Joel Selwood.
"I don't think there's anything wrong in captaining a side in your early 20s or your early 30s."
So, what is best for the organisation?
In recent times, we have seen club legends hand over the captaincy before they hang up the boots.
Scott Pendlebury passed the baton over to Darcy Moore.
"At 34 years of age and in the twilight of my career, I felt that this is the optimal time to hand over the position and support the next captain of our club," Pendlebury said at the end of 2022 when resigning from the leadership role.
Dayne Zorko stepped aside so Lachie Neale and Harris Andrews could make their own imprint.
Rory Sloane to Jordan Dawson. Dyson Heppell to Zach Merrett. Travis Boak to Ollie Wines and Tom Jonas.
The list goes on. But this wasn't always the case.
In yesteryear, it was typical that captains would depart the game with the 'C' badge still intact.
To name a few: Mark Ricciuto, Michael Voss, Nathan Buckley, Matthew Lloyd, David Neitz and Darren Glass.
Back in a different time, it was common practice to see out your playing days with the honour of leading your team.
Nowadays, such decisions would likely be viewed as selfish and egotistical, leaving the next generation to fend for itself with little guidance.
In Dangerfield's case, he signed a two-year deal and could follow the status quo, vacating the role for Tom Stewart or youngster Max Holmes to step into.
The star midfielder would be stripped of the burden of weekly meetings, press conferences and public showings required of a captain.
And some would say that the releasing of the skipper shackles can rejuvenate a player's career.
Pendlebury was superb in 2023; Zorko claimed the elusive premiership to go with his second All-Australian blazer in 2024; Boak played some of his best footy without the pressure of leading the Power.
The nature of modern-day leaders has evolved, leading the game into a new era.
Football in 2024 - and soon to be 2025 - has seen the number of 30-year-olds double over the past decade.
The AFL-wide average age has increased by nearly two years since 2014 (23.8 to 25.6), while 2025 will host 133 players who have entered the 'twilight years'.
It is natural to assume that the longer your career is as captain, the more likely you won't last in the role.
But as the evidence has shown, it can be beneficial to the individual, and the team, to hand over the reins.
