Every AFL club's next captain - Darcy Moore? James Sicily? Nick Vlastuin?

From Scott Pendlebury to Joel Selwood, Trent Cotchin to Nat Fyfe, the AFL is blessed with a great crop of captains, but who takes over when the current skippers decide to hand over the reins?

We have analysed every club's situation and playing list, before predicting who might be a future captain.

Adelaide

Current captain: Rory Sloane

Next captain: Tom Doedee

Selecting the next captain of the Crows is a difficult task, as the club is firmly in the midst of a rebuild. But one player who does stand out for the role is Doedee, a reliable and honest defender who, at 24, is already in Adelaide's leadership group. Even current skipper Sloane believes Doedee would be the best man for the job once he decides to hand it off.

Brisbane

Current captain: Dayne Zorko

Next captain: Harris Andrews

The Lions have plenty of young talent to take over from Zorko, but All-Australian full back Andrews seems like the logical choice. Not only is he the club's most important asset but Andrews has been demonstrating leadership qualities since he first walked into the club in 2014. No doubt he would have learned plenty from AFL great Luke Hodge, during their time together at the Lions, and would be ready for the challenge.

Carlton

Current captains: Patrick Cripps and Sam Docherty

Next captain: Sam Walsh

You get the feeling Cripps will be skipper at the Blues for many more seasons, but we'd be surprised if he doesn't eventually hand the reigns over to fellow star midfielder Walsh. The No. 1 pick from the 2018 draft is getting better with each passing week and would no doubt relish the opportunity to lead this famous club.

Collingwood

Current captain: Scott Pendlebury

Next captain: Darcy Moore

Whoever takes over from Pendlebury is going to have massive shoes to fill, but Moore might be the perfect man for the job. Few current Magpies play with as much passion as the star defender, and you really feel his teammates walk taller with him in the side. Plus, the Pies have history with captains who play in the backline. Remember Nick Maxwell?

Essendon

Current captain: Dyson Heppell

Next captain: Andrew McGrath

In an ideal world, McGrath would develop into a leader who could take over from Heppell in the coming years, and that's what we're banking on. Right now, Zach Merrett may seem the more logical choice, but, as a free agent, it's unclear whether or not he will be at the club beyond 2021. McGrath has scope to improve as a footballer and take over in a few years' time, so we're sticking with him!

Fremantle

Current captain: Nat Fyfe

Next captain: Andrew Brayshaw

We expect Fyfe to hold onto the Dockers' captaincy for a fair while but young gun and fellow midfielder Brayshaw looms as the man who will eventually get the nod. Brayshaw is one of a number of impressive Fremantle youngsters forging their way at AFL level, and with a few more years playing alongside Fyfe, will no doubt be ready to lead himself.

Geelong

Current captain: Joel Selwood

Next captain: Tom Stewart

Just like Pendlebury at the Pies, it's hard to remember a Geelong side which wasn't skippered by Selwood. His influence on the club has been monumental and the Cats will be seeking a similar type player to take over when he calls quits. Stewart is Geelong through and through. He oozes leadership and toughness, exactly what Selwood stands for. He might just be the man to get the job.

Gold Coast

Current captains: David Swallow and Jarrod Witts

Next captain: Matt Rowell

If Rowell stays at the Suns, it seems almost impossible to think he won't eventually take over the captaincy. At just 19 years of age, he's arguable the club's best player, but not only that, he has shown a great initiative in wanting to learn as much as possible from Stuart Dew and the entire Gold Coast coaching staff. He is a captain in the making, if not at the Suns, then somewhere else...

GWS

Current captain: Stephen Coniglio

Next captain: Toby Greene

This is one which really could happen sooner rather than later. Since Coniglio went down in Round 3, Greene has taken over the captaincy and led exceptionally well. He's the type of skipper who leads by example and actually seems to play better when he's in charge of the troops. Surely he gets the nod when the time comes.

Hawthorn

Current captain: Ben McEvoy

Next captain: James Sicily

Early in his career he had a reputation for being immature and a bit of an enforcer, but having matured somewhat, Sicily is a very 'Hawthorn-like' choice to be skipper if and when Big Boy hangs up the boots. He leads by example, is passionate on the field and won't take a backwards step. Let's hope Sicily can get back to his best when he returns from a knee reconstruction.

Melbourne

Current captain: Max Gawn

Next captains: Christian Petracca and Jake Lever

Co-captains isn't a new thing in footy, particularly at the Dees, so when Gawn (who has many years left in him yet) decides to relinquish the captaincy, Melbourne would be wonderfully served by two outstanding young leaders in Petracca and Lever. Lever's vocal leadership in the backline, combined with Petracca's 'come with me' style of play, would be yin and yang on the field.

North Melbourne

Current captain: Jack Ziebell

Next captain: Jed Anderson

If ever there was a shinboner-in-waiting, it's Anderson. A tackling, tagging and contested beast, Anderson is exactly the type of on-field leader who inspires by doing. He'll always give 100 percent, play the role that's asked for him and never back down in a contest. Exactly what North will be searching for.

Port Adelaide

Current captain: Tom Jonas

Next captain: Xavier Duursma

There are a number of candidates who would do justice to the famous Port No. 1, once Jonas decides to call time, but Duursma is a born leader. He doesn't take a backwards step on the field, has bought into the Port ethos, is always in involved in the game and speaks well. A true Port man. Oh, and the fans love him!

Richmond

Current captain: Trent Cotchin

Next captain: Nick Vlastuin

You think Cotchin has maybe a year or two left as a captain, and Vlastuin might just be the 'oldest' and most mature 27-year-old running around in the AFL. He's a great leader - vocal, competitive and has the respect of teammates, opposition players and the fans.

St Kilda

Current captain: Jack Steele

Next captain: Max King

A big key forward in the No. 12 jumper as Saints skipper? We like the idea of this, especially given Steele is just 25 and has plenty of years to give the Saints. King is already clunking grabs, kicking goals and taking games by the scruff of the neck. He's a passionate guy and, given time to develop leadership attributes, would be a great choice as Steele's successor. Watch this space.

Sydney

Current captains: Dane Rampe, Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker

Next captain: Callum Mills

Talk about a true Blood - Mills is almost a no-brainer choice to be the Swans' next captain. He's articulate, uncompromising, and a damn good player to boot. His move into the midfield only consolidates his claim on the role - he'll have the chance to lead from the front. He's a ripper.

West Coast

Current captain: Luke Shuey

Next captain: Jeremy McGovern

He's 29 years of age, but McGovern is the prime candidate to be the successor to 30-year-old Shuey if the injury-plagued midfielder decides to call time early. Fearless, courageous and someone who commands respect from teammates and the opposition alike, McGovern -- already vice-captain -- is a true leader and a West Coast man through and through. Not far away, though, is Elliott Yeo...

Western Bulldogs

Current captain: Marcus Bontempelli

Next captain: Tim English

This may be a slightly left of field option, but given Bontempelli is just 25 years of age, he has a long career as skipper ahead of him. In the 'younger brigade', English is as impressive as anyone. Articulate and measured, his competitiveness around the ball has gone to another level in 2021, and given more time to develop, could be a fantastic leader for the Dogs in years to come.