The club's brilliant skipper, Joel Selwood, is just 25 and should have at least five years of footy left ahead of him, so the emerging leaders on the Cats' list will be waiting a while to get a crack at the captaincy. When the gig does finally become available, expect midfielder Mitch Duncan to be among the key contenders. " I've already taken on a mentoring role with some of the youngest blokes on the list," the 22-year-old told the AFL Record earlier this year. "Working with the young kids has been a great part of my leadership development, and I've worked really hard to improve my communication with them. They appreciate having someone in our middle group of players who they can talk to. Sometimes I will take their feedback to the senior players. It can be tough, but it's great experience."
Selwood himself, at this year's AFLPA awards, brought up young gun George Horlin-Smith as a future leader. Horlin-Smith oozes class and maturity both on and off the field fitting him in right alongside previous captains Tom Harley, Cameron Ling and Joel Selwood.
Another from Horlin-Smith's draft year who shows leadership potential is Cameron Guthrie. Guthrie has been gifted a football and leadership masterclass from fellow backmen Andrew Mackie, Corey Enright and Harry Taylor. Many say that a captain in the backline has its benefits as they see a lot of the play from their position on the ground.
Could Allen Christensen become the Cats first indigenous skipper since Polly Farmer. With a premiership medallion already to his name, Christensen is one of the Cats most inspirational players on the field. An apprenticeship next to Joel Selwood certainly won't do his chances any harm.
Perhaps from left field ,or perhaps not, Steven Motlop's ascension to one of the games elite players continues and may not stop for a long time. Inspirational on the field and well liked off it, Motlop is already a leader at the club of his fellow indigenous and young players.
Who do you think should be the Cats next captain? Head to the Cats Facebook or Twitter page to leave your thoughts.
