Pretty straight forward here - who should be appointed captain for 2026?
There are really only 2 genuine contenders here - I've included the 'Someone else' option for the contrarians to enjoy - but realistically it's Liam Duggan or Liam Baker. Co-captains is off the tabld, it's not happening again.
Both guys have good cases, both have pros and cons.
Liam Duggan
Pro -
Current Co-Captain - has shouldered the bulk of the captaincy while Oscar Allen's time at the club detoriated.
Willing and able - unless his feelings have changed, he is very keen to take on the responsibility.
Long term senior player - 200 games in the blue and gold, and part of our last Premiership as a young player.
Presents very well in the media.
Hard at it player who has filled multiple roles in recent seasons.
28 (29 in December).
Con -
Current Co-Captain - It's been a horror 2 years as captain including Adam Simpson and Oscar Allen's departures and just 6 wins from 46 games. Awful.
Decline in form - 2025 was not his best season and he has some very vocal detractors.
Role in team - As the side continues to rebuild, does a 29 year old Liam Duggan retain his role (and his position in the team).
Tough sell - those who follow the club closely will likely understand the decision to retain Duggan as skipper but casuals, those keen for a change and those external (media, oppo fans), will likely criticise the decision, potentially quite vocally.
Duggan has been a good servant for the club and very willingly took on the captaincy at a difficult time for the team. It would be fair to say he has not enjoyed his first 2 years in role but to be fair, he has had to share the role with Oscar Allen, who did not make the job any easier. Duggan is a hard worker who is part of our best team but at the same time a player we may look to move past over the next 2 seasons for younger options as the rebuild continues.
In short, has Duggan really had a 'fair shot' to show his wares as captain? Is it time to back him in as the solo skipper or simply time to put the Allen/Duggan captaincy to bed and move forward.
Liam Baker
Pro -
Hard at it and tireless in his endeavour, Baker is simply the kind of player you want leading out on the field.
Our reigning club champion and clearly our best performed player in 2025.
'Fresh' and new to the club - yet to absorb the 'stink' of 2022-2025.
27 (28 in January).
Popular choice - supporters like him, appears to already be a popular clubman too. The media would praise his appointment, at least in the short term.
Plenty of experience, multiple flags at Richmond.
Con -
New to the club - on the other side of the coin, Baker has played just 1 season for the club - for many, he is still a 'Richmond guy'.
Costly trade - rightly or wrongly, there is a perception that we over paid to bring Baker to the club - should his form drop away or he run into controvesy it is likely the spotlight could intensify.
He is not a polished media performer (to be kind) and may be a risk in this regard.
He would be against type in terms of the kind of personality usually appointed captain.
A knock-about kind of guy, he might be better suited as a VC.
Baker's first season at the club went as well as could be expected for a 1 win season. He has delivered onfield 'as advertised' and immediately preaented as a viable captaincy option. He is rough around the edges but very likeable and plays a brand of footy that endears him to supporters. He is new to the club, which may be a good thing but could also count against him.
Ok cases presented - pretty straight forward - who is your pick?
There are really only 2 genuine contenders here - I've included the 'Someone else' option for the contrarians to enjoy - but realistically it's Liam Duggan or Liam Baker. Co-captains is off the tabld, it's not happening again.
Both guys have good cases, both have pros and cons.
Liam Duggan
Pro -
Current Co-Captain - has shouldered the bulk of the captaincy while Oscar Allen's time at the club detoriated.
Willing and able - unless his feelings have changed, he is very keen to take on the responsibility.
Long term senior player - 200 games in the blue and gold, and part of our last Premiership as a young player.
Presents very well in the media.
Hard at it player who has filled multiple roles in recent seasons.
28 (29 in December).
Con -
Current Co-Captain - It's been a horror 2 years as captain including Adam Simpson and Oscar Allen's departures and just 6 wins from 46 games. Awful.
Decline in form - 2025 was not his best season and he has some very vocal detractors.
Role in team - As the side continues to rebuild, does a 29 year old Liam Duggan retain his role (and his position in the team).
Tough sell - those who follow the club closely will likely understand the decision to retain Duggan as skipper but casuals, those keen for a change and those external (media, oppo fans), will likely criticise the decision, potentially quite vocally.
Duggan has been a good servant for the club and very willingly took on the captaincy at a difficult time for the team. It would be fair to say he has not enjoyed his first 2 years in role but to be fair, he has had to share the role with Oscar Allen, who did not make the job any easier. Duggan is a hard worker who is part of our best team but at the same time a player we may look to move past over the next 2 seasons for younger options as the rebuild continues.
In short, has Duggan really had a 'fair shot' to show his wares as captain? Is it time to back him in as the solo skipper or simply time to put the Allen/Duggan captaincy to bed and move forward.
Liam Baker
Pro -
Hard at it and tireless in his endeavour, Baker is simply the kind of player you want leading out on the field.
Our reigning club champion and clearly our best performed player in 2025.
'Fresh' and new to the club - yet to absorb the 'stink' of 2022-2025.
27 (28 in January).
Popular choice - supporters like him, appears to already be a popular clubman too. The media would praise his appointment, at least in the short term.
Plenty of experience, multiple flags at Richmond.
Con -
New to the club - on the other side of the coin, Baker has played just 1 season for the club - for many, he is still a 'Richmond guy'.
Costly trade - rightly or wrongly, there is a perception that we over paid to bring Baker to the club - should his form drop away or he run into controvesy it is likely the spotlight could intensify.
He is not a polished media performer (to be kind) and may be a risk in this regard.
He would be against type in terms of the kind of personality usually appointed captain.
A knock-about kind of guy, he might be better suited as a VC.
Baker's first season at the club went as well as could be expected for a 1 win season. He has delivered onfield 'as advertised' and immediately preaented as a viable captaincy option. He is rough around the edges but very likeable and plays a brand of footy that endears him to supporters. He is new to the club, which may be a good thing but could also count against him.
Ok cases presented - pretty straight forward - who is your pick?
