Fremantle captain 2026

[DocT]

I think Caleb's point of difference is he has mongrel.

Makes it hard to pick, otherwise I would think it's Brayshaw.

I think mongrel makes for a brilliant VC.

 

[go_the_dockers]

Asking this question after Brayshaw gave one of, if not THE most epic interviews ever is a bit unfair to the others on that list. Most people are reactionary and live week to week. I think we should be asking the question after the season is over.

Just my two cents…

Agree.

Personally I like the idea of joint captains. I think if Serong or Brayshaw has a bad game, then the pressure would come too quickly.

I think if you split it up, it shares the load and takes the pressure off a bit

 

[DocT]

Agree.

Personally I like the idea of joint captains. I think if Serong or Brayshaw has a bad game, then the pressure would come too quickly.

I think if you split it up, it shares the load and takes the pressure off a bit

If Co-Whatevers are a good idea why don't we have co-Presidents, co-Queens, co-CEOs, co-Coaches, etc??

 

[Cam Payne]

As in the past, let the players decide. They have made good decisions in the past.

 

[Grape Bear]

Think Serong is a better choice tbh.

There’s been a moments in few games this year where someone has needed to stand up and it’s come to Brayshaw for a shot at goal and he hasn’t delivered. I know the Sydney game is probably fresh in people’s memories in regards to Serong but it’s a bit of a one off. Just feel when there’s big moments Serong is more likely to step up.

FWIW that isn’t everything but I think everything else is pretty similar anyway.

brayshaw’s goal kicking is sus but he more than makes up for it in his ability to inspire by putting his body on the line, chase down defensive efforts, and playing to last second cannot be discounted. i think he’s also more balanced in terms of keeping the rest of the team accountable and held to standards while being supportive.

 

[Grape Bear]

I think Caleb's point of difference is he has mongrel.

Makes it hard to pick, otherwise I would think it's Brayshaw.

i think leaving Caleb as VC gives him more freedom to use that mongrel.

 

[Docker82]

i think leaving Caleb as VC gives him more freedom to use that mongrel.

Don't think it's makes one difference tbh.

He doesn't get suspended or even give away many free kicks so I don't see how it impacts his credentials negatively or make him a better VC than captain at all.

 

[Boomer93]

If Co-Whatevers are a good idea why don't we have co-Presidents, co-Queens, co-CEOs, co-Coaches, etc??

Is this a troll or do you actually want me to break it down for you?

 

[yakamoto]

Can’t look past Bayley myself.

 

[Taylor]

If Caleb signs an extension at the start of the off season then they can be co captains.

 

[malpaso]

I think Caleb's point of difference is he has mongrel.

Makes it hard to pick, otherwise I would think it's Brayshaw.

Does he though? Finds it hard to lift and do something different when he's tagged..
Maybe being Captain might jolt him..

 

[anchor man]

I seriously think it will boil down to whether Pearce wants to continue to be the skipper.
If he is still troubled by injury comes seasons end, he will make the decision then.
If he decides to step aside , then I think it is between Brayshaw and Serong.With Brayshaw being the favourite.

 

[Paracleet]

Both Andy and Caleb would be excellent captains. If they are not co captains (and our system may not allow for it. I don't think it allows for vice captains at all, but by squeezing it in they weren't explicitly breaking the rules, just adding to them) then I think it should be Andy on the basis he's just that littler bit cooler of temperament and slightly less focussed on his own performance.

 

[ignoramus]

and our system may not allow for it

You mean Freo's? McManus and Fletcher (2000–2001)

Or AFL’s? May and Lynch at GC (c.2018)

 

[Paracleet]

You mean Freo's? McManus and Fletcher (2000–2001)

Or AFL’s? May and Lynch at GC (c.2018)

The system we have had in place since early in Lyons tenure which is a player vote coaching group endorsed. Back in those days would have just been a club appointment.
Because it's a vote a tie is unlikely and may be close to impossible (if they are using a preference system in some form).

 

[ignoramus]

Was wondering if that’s what you meant. Couldn’t remember / confirm that it was early Lyon years the new system came in. Having said that, I’m not sure it’s (always) strictly based on the player vote. When Bell was involved, it appeared from his comments that player voting was so to speak ratified by club hierarchy after “consulting with key stakeholders”. That might’ve just been media guff on his part, idk.

 

[BStaff17]

Brayshaw simply because he has been in the club longer.

Its also a respect thing for me.

Brayshaw was here first and deserves first crack at the captaincy.

Not a slight on Caleb its just how i feel about it.

Like any other workplace

 

[Deathly]

Brayshaw simply because he has been in the club longer.

Its also a respect thing for me.

Brayshaw was here first and deserves first crack at the captaincy.

Not a slight on Caleb its just how i feel about it.

Like any other workplace

I think it's more than that. Brayshaw is inspirational with his football acts. He plays and has the body language of a captain on the field.

Even though it's a testament to Serongs' competitive nature and want to win - Serong does point the finger and whinge when things don't go his way or the opposition scores. I saw this a lot last year which put him out of this race for me personally.

We're incredibly lucky that Serong came in, had the initiative and intent to glue himself to Brayshaw, and decide that he wants to help lead and instill the culture and professionalism we see now - but again, this is Brayshaws' foundation. The dozen or so players over the last few seasons aren't all joking when they say Brayshaw is the heart and soul of the club.

Serong also strikes me as someone who will be unaffected by the decision, and continue carrying himself the way he is now under Brayshaws' captaincy - like he has for the last 6 years.

Even if Serong is the better player to some, it doesn't mean he should be the captain, which IMO - is the only thing keeping him an option in this decision, and it definitely isn't the be all end all.Just look at Pearce who isn't our best player.

On that too, I would love Pearce to go again in 2026 - but he's getting a little unreliable come match day. There is positives in this, with giving players like Brayshaw and Serong gameday responsibilities in a part-time capacity which is great given their age - but something has to give eventually.

 

[Raz]

I think serong is great but needs a little more time to mature , his handling of taggers is his only weakness that vote for Bradshaw

Tracey could good but I do worry that may affect his performances with extra stress

 

[Fat Nyfe]

Here’s another way of looking at this.

Brayshaw will be 26 years old by the start of the 2026 season. He’s no longer the kid from the start of the rebuild. He’s shed blood sweat and tears for the club. He’s earned the respect of the playing group as BStaff17 said. He could potentially be a generational leader and the best captain (from a pure leadership POV) Fremantle has had. I’d liken his leadership style to Joel Selwood, a walk up HOFer and premiership captain - he took over at age 23.

Pearce is a great Fremantle man so I don’t want to diminish him but he’s a journeyman leader who at age 31 next year, and through no fault of his own, struggles to play a full season out.

Is it worth overlooking someone with with the leadership capabilities Brayshaw has, at the prime age that he is and perfect leadership age for a young group, to protect the incumbent captain? At such an important time for a Fremantle team ready to launch?

 

[Lach72]

Brayshaw with Serong and Treacy as deputies

 

[BStaff17]

Here’s another way of looking at this.

Brayshaw will be 26 years old by the start of the 2026 season. He’s no longer the kid from the start of the rebuild. He’s shed blood sweat and tears for the club. He’s earned the respect of the playing group as BStaff17 said. He could potentially be a generational leader and the best captain (from a pure leadership POV) Fremantle has had. I’d liken his leadership style to Joel Selwood, a walk up HOFer and premiership captain - he took over at age 23.

Pearce is a great Fremantle man so I don’t want to diminish him but he’s a journeyman leader who at age 31 next year, and through no fault of his own, struggles to play a full season out.

Is it worth overlooking someone with with the leadership capabilities Brayshaw has, at the prime age that he is and perfect leadership age for a young group, to protect the incumbent captain? At such an important time for a Fremantle team ready to launch?

I think Pearce's latest injury issues with his shin should lead to a changing of the guard in the off season.

I actually wouldn't be surprised if Moose steps down post season to make sure he gets his body right.

He can still be a leader without the C next to your name.

 

[fnerd]

Yeah I’ve come full circle on this .
Was always brayshaw then actually leaned towards serong due to as others have stated his mongrel and competitiveness but after this season Ive definitely come back to Andy.

Serongs probably the more prolific player but if you think back to all the heroic or team lifting performances over the journey (think Andy’s ability to run himself into the ground both offensively and defensively and just basic team lifting plays)in close games well into the last quarter it just screams ultimate leadership and as some one said earlier ,he poseses a lot alot of Joel Selwoods traits

The other great point made by other posters is not only has Andy been here the longest but his selection basically also represented the first step in the right direction at the start of this rebuild for the club ( or maybe that was griff logue )
both on and off it.

He’s embraced everything freo from the moment he walked through the door AND then basically took ownership of it whilst adding his own core values and then proceeded to impress that on every new player that has came after him ever since

He’s been the poster boy for this club and the biggest sole contributor to freos new found culture.

Why the **** do you think they put all these new vic draftees as housemates with him when they first arrive over here in the first place??, including even serong himself??

I’m sorry I love Caleb and think he’d make an outstanding captain but just not one quite as outstanding or deserving as Andy would.

serong and Tracy as VC and DVC is about as good as support crew you could have too

finally yep love moose but I’d actually be bitterly disappointed if he’s in line to go around again as captain and tbh think it best if he “stepped” aside Ala Fyfe- remember Fyfe never really wanted to but was basically given the nudge and think (if moose doesn’t decide himself) the same should happen here

I always remember RTB stated Andy was in fact ready to captain the club back in 2022.
(When he was in the media)

It’s way past time and he simply must be captain of this club come round 1 next year

 

[Serongnthnks4allthefish]

Brayshaw is the best two way mid in the comp, the example he sets makes him a great choice for captain.

 

[Sully90]

Wouldn't be angry at co-captains but if you twisted my arm I guess Brayshaw because of recency bias.