2026 Captain (poll)

[Makeshift Park]

Haha I reckon my preferences would be the exact opposite of the current poll results.

1. Parker
2. Xerri
3. Sheeze
4. Larkey

 

[Ichiro #51]

Larkey for my money

Parker is too old and I hate the idea of a place holder captain. It’s basically just waving the white flag for a year or two.

X is the man and I bloody love him. But you only have to think back to his testimony at the tribunal to realize there are aspects to the job which are not his jam.

So it really comes down to Larkey vs. Sheezel and in that case I look at their age and think why over complicate the situation. I reckon realistically the timeline to a premiership(s) still means that Larkey is a good fit to see us through the next 4 or 5 years and then Sheez to take over when we’re really hitting our straps.

 

[Chadwiko]

Voted Toby Pink. For the brand.

But the real answer is Sheezel.

I simply don't agree with the "he's too young/not ready" brigade. He already acts like our defacto Captain anyway. He does all our media. He's the face of the club. He's our best player. He's our hardest trainer. He's a leader. He has the absolute respect of the older veterans and the younger kids alike. When new players are recruited to the club, he's the one that reaches out to them.

I knew last offseason that Sheezel was Captain-in-waiting after Parker/Darling/Daniel joined the club; Sheezel proactively sought them out and worked closely with them at the first few training sessions. Natural leadership shit that cannot be faked;




Don't over-think it. Sheezel should be the guy.

 

[Ether]

Voted Toby Pink. For the brand.

But the real answer is Sheezel.

I simply don't agree with the "he's too young/not ready" brigade. He already acts like our defacto Captain anyway. He does all our media. He's the face of the club. He's our best player. He's our hardest trainer. He's a leader. He has the absolute respect of the older veterans and the younger kids alike. When new players are recruited to the club, he's the one that reaches out to them.

I knew last offseason that Sheezel was Captain-in-waiting after Parker/Darling/Daniel joined the club; Sheezel proactively sought them out and worked closely with them at the first few training sessions. Natural leadership shit that cannot be faked;

View attachment 2459533


Don't over-think it. Sheezel should be the guy.

And he's the only one laughing at Darling's dad joke there. Can't teach that.

 

[Uncle_Leo]

Sheezel and Larkey both vice captains so logically has to be one of them

Would not be completely opposed to them being co captains but I'd prefer just Harry.

He is the chosen one.

 

[trooroo4life]

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

Load of bullshit.

You only have to listen to him speak about footy, teammates and the clubs trajectory to know that he’s not too young for the role. I feel more confident hearing it from him than anyone else involved at the club. Be bold like when we made the Duck captain at 21.

He’s ready.

 

[DuckYeah]

Load of bullshit.

You only have to listen to him speak about footy, teammates and the clubs trajectory to know that he’s not too young for the role. I feel more confident hearing it from him than anyone else involved at the club. Be bold like when we made the Duck captain at 21.

He’s ready.

You talking about the GOAT?

Harry is NOT Wayne Carey

 

[TheNorthFan]

While I would like to see Sheezel take the reins as our sole captain, I suspect it will be a co-captain setup for 2026. Larkey just as deserving of the captaincy. The club may have a plan to transition into making Sheezel as captain. Harry has indicated that he 'isn't totally ready for the captaincy at this stage as well'. Captaincy has to sit well with both parties, not just the club. We all know the bedlam that will unfold on here if Harry takes the captaincy and fails to delver.

 

[Chadwiko]

 

[kool kangas]

l was originally for Parker but have changed to Larkey. He signs on for the long term, is a club person, team player and talks well when answering questions. Especially after he's had a few drinks..

The only concern is that l hope by making him captain doesnt force him to take on more responsibily while playing when it come to winning the game. He's a leader but he's not a Carey..

 

[Spud11]

Why Larkey? We need someone to lead from the front, not hope for cheapies out the back.

I love his straight kick but his softness shits me. Surely it’s Xerri.

 

[Clarence2norton]

Personally I think it’s too early for Harry, everyone who says “yeah but what about the Duck” is missing the fact that Carey was an arrogant, take the game by the scruff of the neck player who knew he was better than everyone else and could back it up physically.

My worry with Sheez is it would be too easy for oppo teams to go after him, let’s face it, he’s still got the body of a kid.

Larkey or Xerri are mature enough to deal with the added pressure until Harry is ready, just because we all know he’ll be captain one day, doesn’t mean it needs to be tomorrow.

 

[Northball]

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

Pagan disagrees

 

[DuckYeah]

Pagan disagrees

When he made Wayne captain we made finals? Media st was avoidable? Lets not do that to the kid

 

[zoomba23]

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.

*Umpires and teammates

 

[CURVE]

I went for Larkey, I think he deserves a chance, he has been loyal to the club when leaving was a real option and he is a very good speaker.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Went with Parker on the proviso he's here for at least another 2 yrs. Otherwise not unhappy with Larkey or X.

Then in a couple years the club becomes Harry's

 

[Samsquanch]

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

A year under Parker would do him (and the team) well.

 

[Chadwiko]

While I would like to see Sheezel take the reins as our sole captain, I suspect it will be a co-captain setup for 2026.

Suspect this will end up being correct.

Co-Captains Larkey and Sheezel
Leadership group Parker, LDU, Xerri.

 

[Pres]

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.

Agree 100% with this. Parker for me.

 

[amaz199]

Harry had enough pressure on him dealing with the VC and struggled early.

Give it to someone else until Harry is ready. He even said he wasn't ready on SEN when it came out Jy was exploring options.

 

[Northball]

When he made Wayne captain we made finals? Media st was avoidable? Lets not do that to the kid

When he said we should make Harry captain

 

[disco_cowboy]

the sooner we give it to harry, the sooner the new era begins.

 

[DuckYeah]

the sooner we give it to harry, the sooner the new era begins.

Thats a solid point. Giving the C to Harry could have uber benefits. Hmmmm

 

[Duck the GOAT]

Anyone nominating Harry for 2026 is a bum.

Underestimating the psychological, mental challenge when you are struggling team. The pressure will mount on coach, captain, players and entire club this next 12 months if there isnt significant gains.

For me, its Parker for 1 year. Harry VC to continue learning. Parker was brought to the club to lead. Give him the keys and tell him to go and lead us out of this shit.