AFL 2023: Who are the AFL captains for the upcoming season?
The AFL is in the midst of change as club captains have resigned or retired to allow the next generation to emerge as leaders.
Hawthorn’s Ben McEvoy and Geelong’s Joel Selwood retired from their respective clubs in late 2022, opening the door to the next generation.
In December of last year, Collingwood’s Scott Pendlebury decided to retire after nine years and 206 games. His successor was Darcy Moore.
Earlier this year, North Melbourne native Jack Ziebell decided to pass the baton to the next batch of youngsters who got through when Jy Simpkin and Luke McDonald took over.
In February alone, Adelaide’s Rory Sloane, Brisbane’s Dayne Zorko, Essendon’s Dyson Heppell and Fremantle’s Nat Fyfe all voted almost simultaneously to step down as captains of their clubs.
However, only the Crows have filled the vacant role, with Jordan Dawson inheriting the position for 2023.
GWS also gave Toby Greene the sole captaincy and installed Stephen Coniglio and Josh Kelly as his vice-captains.
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Port Adelaide continue with Tom Jonas as the Western Bulldogs and Marcus Bontempelli agree on an unchanged leading group for 2023.
Melbourne announced that Max will once again lead Gawn with the help of Jack Viney as second in charge.
Richmond continued co-captaining Toby Nankervis and Dylan Grimes for another year after the club was impressed with their work in 2022.
Luke Shuey will be walking around for his third year as captain after West Coast confirmed his role for 2023.
Carlton (Patrick Cripps), Gold Coast (Touk Miller/Jarrod Witts), St Kilda (Jack Steele) and Sydney (Callum Mills/Dane Rampe/Luke Parker) are yet to confirm who will lead the club next season, however expect to retain all of their positions from last year.
AFL Captains 2023
| Association | Surname | year appointed |
|---|---|---|
| Adelaide | Jordan Dawson | 2023 |
| Brisbane | TB | TB |
| carlton | TBC (formerly Patrick Cripps) | TB |
| Collingwood | Darcy Moore | 2023 |
| Essendon | TB | TB |
| Fremantle | TB | TB |
| geelong | TB | TB |
| gold coast | TBC (formerly Touk Miller/Jarrod Witts) | TB |
| GWS | Toby Greene | 2023 |
| hawthorn | James Sicily | 2023 |
| Melbourne | Max Gawn | 2020 |
| North Melbourne | Jy Simpkin/Luke McDonald | 2023 |
| Port Adelaide | Tom Jonas | 2019 |
| Richmond | Dylan Grimes/Toby Nankervis | 2022 |
| St Kilda | TBC (formerly Jack Steele) | TB |
| sydney | TBC (formerly Luke Parker/Dane Rampe/Callum Mills) | TB |
| West Coast | Luke Shuey | 2020 |
| Western bulldogs | Markus Bontempelli | 2020 |
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