2026 Captain Discussion

Its going to be Andy. no one else is even close in my view.

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Holy crap, I didn’t realise it was possible to spew up that much in my mouth

We’re starting to draft some young blokes with leadership skills, but they’re not ready for that level of responsibility yet.

Whilst I don’t think he’s the strongest choice, he’s the only realistic one we currently have - has to be Pidge.

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One thing I will say about McGrath is over the years he generally flies the flag unlike some others. He is about as scary as Pee-Wee Herman with pants on but still good on him for that.

Was good to see Clarke and a few other youngsters getting into it a bit this year hopefully more of that to come from the new boys as well.

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Bloody hell…..you’re making him sound like ā€œexā€ Prince Andrew!!

I understand the negative thoughts and emotions towards Zac. I’ve had to work through them as well. But we must look forward. And we need to be optimistic. The draftees brought in plus Fiorini have upgraded our list. With better management we may have less injuries and be much more competitive than we were in the 2nd half of 2025. I’d expect us to compete for 10th and maybe even a first finals win in decades.

It will 100% be McGrath, close thread.

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I’d be happy with Andy McGrath for the next 2-3 years before handing over to Dyson Sharp who will take us to the promised land.

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Boy Clarke loves a scrap. It’s pretty funny cos he just getsmonstered everytime atm. But he loves it anyway.

There’s no way the club will go with Merrett. It’s basically an admission that the best option we have is a guy that thinks the club won’t see success in his career. What message does that send to the players and fans? He tried to quit while being contracted for 2 more seasons as the standing captain. People are living in fantasy land if they think it’s an option for him to lead next year.

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This club is so weak Brad Sctt will probaboly beg Merrett to stay as captain.

I think this is right but he is a flawed Captain. Pidge makes to many mistakes that demoralise the team, not a great look.

Merrett was favourite for AA captain half way through the year, he is easily our best player and plays with great passion and intensity. However all the reasons why he can’t be captain are valid.

The only other option I see is Durham. I love the way he goes about it, reminds me a bit of Paul Kelly. But it’s probably a year or two too early for him.

Not a great choice to be honest.

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Its not a great choice, no. Andy at half-back has been an endless source of frustration. But i dont believe that your best player needs to be captain. There’s enough evidence to show that hes loved by his team mates and is great with the younger guys as well. Could be reminiscient of a Nick Maxwell captaincy. The thing that set him apart from McClug all those years back for pick 1 was apparently his leadership. While we absolutely should have picked McClug looking back, why dont we actually make use of that trait that Andy was lauded for.

Agree he seems like a good leader and my inside scoop is that he is much loved and just a kind and good bloke to everyone, similar to Dyson.

and yes Maxwell was no star but he didn’t make crucial errors. He was a solid player and rarely stuffed up. That’s the bit that concerns me, some of those panic kicks that are turnovers.

He is really great defensively. I’d like to see him concentrate on the lockdown roles and be more conservative on counter attack, given his kicking skills.

Let Ridley, Reid and Roberts take more of the risky attacking options from the backline.

I’d go for Pidge. Robey has moved in with him and clearly Andy has great rapport with the younger players. What we need is for someone to lead and bring the younger players together. Robey, Sharp, Farrow, Kako, Clarke, Johnson, Caddy, Roberts are future and I think they will start to blossom even this year - simply enjoying playing footy together. Duz can continue to lead by example - don’t burden him with the captaincy.

Zach would legitimately hold the group back, he isn’t a leader of men (and never really has been), only by example. It’s a new day, Pidge and the kids. Lets go.

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McGrath captain. Redman and Duursma have stepped up recently, wouldn’t mind them being considered for the leadership group.

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We just need a poll with 5 options. 4 of which are all the same and one of which is impossible (Zach)

Archie Roberts says for all you softcocks to SHUT UP

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Mcgrath should get captain. If you think back to his draft year, leadership was mentioned as a key attribute and may have been one of the key deciding factors for why we chose him.

A decade on and its likely coming to fruition so fair play to him, massive achievement.

If only for another dumb decision, it could have been McCluggage