2026 Captain (poll)

[McKuursma]

At least we know Larkey isn't afraid to call teammates out on their bullshit even if it does feel like a transfer of blame at times - isn't that what the supporter base is calling out for? Some ruthlessness? No need to expose Sheezel so young, make him co-captain alongside Parker as a leadership mentor. Would be brilliant. Chuck Wardlaw under the other wing.

As for X, love him, has leadership in spades via action sure, but not sure of the communication capacity (not a criticism, just an observation). Larkey is succinct, well-trained and performed from a media perspective, and personally feel could be the type to go to another level with the responsibility.

X is going to battle ruck rule changes that seem targeted to disadvantage him specifically, umps will be looking to penalise his style of play if he can't adjust over the pre-season. I don't feel there's a need to dump that responsibility on him, especially if things go against him early on the season building pressure, as well on top of having three members of the leadership team concentrated in the middle (Sheezel/Parker/X) potentially creating a mixed message or hierarchy during critical moments.

Also suspect that Larkey has the level of humility to hand over the captaincy when Sheezel is ready to be anointed.

 

[backtothedraft]

I’d be happy with either Larkey or X but i must admit I’ve got a big soft spot for Nick. Would be a lot for Sheez to take on but if his teammates and coaches believe hes ready, that’s all I need.

 

[My Left Foote]

Bloody hell, I saw the thread title and thought Pol Pot was going to be our next captain.

 

[north_lad]

Bloody hell, I saw the thread title and thought Pol Pot was going to be our next captain.

Thankfully he's long dead

 

[sheridan]

its time. Sheez it is. the age thing is bs. if your a leader, your a leader.

Sheez to be well supported in VCs - X and souv.
parks will help on ground with his voice anyway, no need for a title, as he is a natural leader anyways.

Time for big boy pants to come off the rack in 2026. Jy to start on bench rd1, lucky sub is gone. Viney/Clarko just get it done and let’s go, stop f*ing around.

Let the rise begin.

 

[The Maestro]

I’ve always said that even blind Fred would know Harry Sheezel will captain the club one day. But under the current circumstances, Nick Larkey

20

Nick Larkey

Age

27

Ht

198cm

Wt

96kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

8.5

2star

K

4.6

2star

HB

3.9

3star

M

3.3

3star

T

1.5

3star

G

1.4

5star

D

7.0

1star

K

4.0

1star

HB

3.0

2star

M

2.0

2star

T

1.0

2star

G

1.0

4star

D

8.8

3star

K

4.2

2star

HB

4.6

4star

M

3.2

4star

T

1.4

4star

G

0.8

4star

feels like the best option. He has experience and has runs on the board to steady the ship and bring this group closer together. Throwing in Harry would seem a little unfair to the kid.

Larkey has genuine belief that we will win a flag one day. The next captain needs to have that drive for number 5. Larkey ticks the boxes for me.

 

[zoomba23]

Bloody hell, I saw the thread title and thought Pol Pot was going to be our next captain.

There are some brilliant soccer XIs involving historical dictators.

From memory, Stalin was a lock at centre back (would be the best player imo), Hitler on the right wing, Mao opposite, Pol up top. Fidel in goal, Mussolini controlling the midfield.

Tougher to do it with an AFL team but if you got a few lesser known blokes in, you'd manage. Dan Andrews and Joh would probably both get a nod as home-grown players to keep everyone happy

 

[Shermanator]

Coming round to Parker. I reckon we need a good communicator who's already a proactive leader off the field and will lead by example on the field. He's the only one I can think of who ticks all three boxes, but the big risk is his body really slows down

X 2

Tough MOFO who will take pride in keeping his game at a very high level whilst at the helm.

Two years then hand over to Sheez

 

[Daniltchenko You Beauty]

Sheezel just turned 21. We don’t need to burden our best player with captaincy of a shit side at that age. Larks the only sane option.

 

[Harvey Manfrenjensenden]

Larkey as captain having a mini tantrum each wee when he doesn't get the ball or a free kick would upset me greatly.

 

[The Talent Scout]

Thought about this long & hard, it can only be one of three players, Nick, Tristan or Harry. There are of course pros & cons both ways for each player, Nick would be a good captain but at times he struggles and I think it would be better if he didn't have that kind of pressure, of course some might say he would embrace it but his body language sometimes isn't all that flash and when you look at all the optics while a captain can't be perfect all the time, they need to be inspirational when the time comes in a footy match.

Next we have the 'Enforcer" Tristan Xerri

38

Tristan Xerri

Age

26

Ht

202cm

Wt

99kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

5.5

1star

K

3.0

1star

HB

2.5

2star

CL

1.0

3star

HO

2.5

5star

D

5.5

1star

K

3.0

1star

HB

2.5

2star

CL

1.0

3star

HO

2.5

5star

D

5.5

2star

K

3.0

1star

HB

2.5

3star

CL

1.0

3star

HO

2.5

5star

, one of the two guys that can lead this footy team into our next chapter, has a killer instinct, hates to lose and easily all Australian quality but unlike Nick at times he goes and goes and keeps going, something this club has needed for quite awhile. The Gun, Harry, the things I'm hearing, is too young, don't want to burn him out, doesn't need that pressure at this stage and some I guess are just plain scared that being a "captain" will see his form drop right off. I don't think so, for one he is a special talent, he is just the sought of player that the kids and even older players would run through a brick wall for, too young?

For a change in not only our footy and the way we play but to have that inspirational captain to lead the new age Kangaroos would be the dawning of not a continuing era but a new one. For change to occur one must never be frightened of change, sometimes you've got to take a risk, be daring instead of always playing it safe and having the good guy lead the team or someone else for a couple of years, NO, lets go for broke and challenge everyone and everything that has been our so called motto the last six years, I know some have laughed about what I said not too long ago, that we are coming and and that it was evident if you've noticed "The little things", 2026 is going to be a year that your not going to forget.

 

[Bulge]

Larkey or Parker

Sheez in a couple of years, he’s too young. Let him grow as a player first, don’t need to be captain to be a leader

 

[Sheezel2Wardlaw]

Larkey
He'd be too busy playing with his hair.

 

[GoldSoundz]

Harry captain
X Vice captain
Leadership Group Parker, Larkey, George and Charlie.

Time for change. They all pass the Character test.

 

[SheezNuts]

X or Sheez.

Says all the right things off field, but Larkey behaves like a child when he doesn’t get his way. Not the kind of bloke I would want leading me on a football field. He’s also overrated and honestly not that good.

 

[Kanga Glory]

 

[Hearts to hearts]

View attachment 2459384

Weird take. There’s already nowhere to hide for Sheez and he came through that stupid scrutiny this season ok. I think Larkey is the natural choice but wouldn’t be worried if it was Harry.

 

[kangafruity]

They'll probably go back to LMac I would say - at least for 2026.

you cant be serious? That would be DUMB DUMB DUMB. We want to go forwards not backwards,

 

[kangafruity]

As much as I love Sheez I think its too much at this stage. He is not Wayne Carey but he will get there. I would hate to see us ruin him for the sake of a couple of years. I think BIG X is what we need but my profile pic might also be the man if he hardens up, maybe the captaincy would help him.

 

[Passmore]

Sheez is a 30yo in a 21yo body. He'd be fine.

 

[Northball]

Harry is already the captain in all but label and frontman of our football club, he may be young but has proven resilience. Give him the captaincy with Parker vice captain to mentor him. Leadership isn’t a talent, it’s learned behavior and the sooner we put Harry at the helm the sooner he’ll begin learning to steer the ship.

 

[Makeshift Park]

Personally I'd go Parker for 2026, with a plan to enact a 2027 handover to Sheezel.

(Sheezel still hasn't reached his ceiling, and I reckon it'd be better to appoint him off the back of an outstanding personal year on-field.)

I know Larkey is pretty smart, good at media and loves the club, but he would only be a placeholder for Sheezel too.

And when the chips are down, which is when you actually need a captain, I'd trust Parker to demonstrate more resolve and better leadership than Nick.

 

[DuckYeah]

Anyone not voting Sheezel is a bum.

Harry is too young. Ya bum. Let him develop into the leadership role. He will be, just not yet

 

[amaz199]

Jy Simpkin

12

Jy Simpkin

Age

27

Ht

183cm

Wt

77kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.0

4star

K

7.9

3star

HB

8.1

5star

M

2.4

3star

T

3.3

5star

CL

2.9

4star

D

20.6

5star

K

11.0

4star

HB

9.6

5star

M

2.0

2star

T

3.5

4star

CL

5.5

5star

D

10.0

3star

K

5.6

3star

HB

4.4

4star

M

2.8

3star

T

2.4

4star

CL

0.2

2star

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Larkey’s bitching and moaning to the umpires is toxic, it’s the last thing you want from a leader. Happy for him to be in the leadership group but I don’t think he’d deal with the extra responsibility that well.

Give it to X for a year or two then pass it onto Sheez.

X is so respected by his peers and he sets the physical standards around the ground.