WITH the 2026 NAB AFLW season fast approaching, clubs have started locking in the leadership groups that will steer the ship.
Different clubs value different things, so read on to see each side’s leaders, and why they’ve earned the honour.
The 10th season of AFLW kicks off on Sunday, August 9 with a clash between St Kilda and Carlton at Marvel Stadium.
Captain: Ebony Marinoff
Vice-captain: Eloise Jones
Leadership group: Jess Allan, Chelsea Biddell, Grace Kelly, Niamh Kelly, Grace Egan
In: Grace Kelly, Niamh Kelly, Grace Egan
Out: Sarah Allan, Anne Hatchard
Sarah Allan has stepped down from the co-captaincy and the leadership group more broadly, with Marinoff voted sole captain after two years sharing the role. Hatchard has moved to Gold Coast, with sisters Grace and Niamh Kelly, and recruit Egan, joining the leadership group. Long-term Crow Jones has been promoted to vice-captain.
Captain Ebony Marinoff during Adelaide’s 2026 team photo day at West Lakes. Picture: AFL Photos
Captain: Bre Koenen
Vice-captain: Nat Grider, Belle Dawes
Leadership group: Cathy Svarc, Ruby Svarc, Jade Ellenger, Ally Anderson, Sophie Conway, Jen Dunne
In: Jen Dunne
Out: Nil
Irishwoman Dunne becomes the first of her countrywomen to join Brisbane’s leadership group, in the sole change to the Lions’ mix. Premiership defender Koenen will serve as captain for a sixth season, having gone well past Emma Zielke’s previous record of four seasons. It’s Grider’s fifth season as vice-captain, with Dawes backing up for a second year.
Natalie Grider and Breanna Koenen before the AFLW Grand Final between North Melbourne and Brisbane at Ikon Park, November 29, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos
Captain: Abbie McKay
Vice-captain: Mimi Hill
Leadership group: Tara Bohanna, Harriet Cordner, Erone Fitzpatrick
In: Erone Fitzpatrick
Out: Nil
Speedy Irish utility Erone Fitzpatrick continues her swift rise at Carlton having been named in the club’s leadership group for the first time. Fitzpatrick had a breakout season in 2025, putting together career-best numbers to be named in the All-Australian squad after returning from a knee injury just a year earlier. Abbie McKay will continue as captain for the second season and will once again have Mimi Hill as her vice. Veteran defender Harriet Cordner and key forward Tara Bohanna round out the leadership group at Ikon Park.
Abbie McKay leads Carlton out ahead of a clash against St Kilda in round 10, 2025. Picture: Getty Images
Captain: Ruby Schleicher
Vice-captain: Jordy Allen
Leader: Lucy Cronin
In: Lucy Cronin
Out: Lauren Butler, Mikala Cann
The Pies have gone for a slimmed-down leadership group of just three people for 2026. Cann has moved to the Western Bulldogs, while 20-year-old Cronin has replaced fellow defender Butler as a recognised leader. It will be Schleicher’s second season in charge, having taken the reins from Bri Davey last year.
Ruby Schleicher speaks to the team during the AFLW R10 match between Collingwood and Richmond at Victoria Park on October 19, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos
Captain: Bonnie Toogood
Vice-captain: Maddi Gay
Leadership group: Steph Cain, Steph Wales, Amy Gaylor
Emerging leaders: Mia Busch, Emily Gough, Georgia Clarke, Alex Morcom
In: Amy Gaylor
Out: Bess Keaney
Essendon has moved to a single captain after Toogood shared the role with Cain for the team’s first four seasons in the competition. Cain will remain on the leadership team, with Gay staying on as vice-captain. Rising star Gaylor has replaced Keaney, who has been named inactive for 2026 after giving birth to daughter Matilda.
Bonnie Toogood during round 12 between Sydney and Essendon at Coffs Harbour International Stadium, November 1, 2025. Picture: Getty Images
Captain: Ange Stannett
Vice-captain: Gab Newton
Leadership group: Emma O’Driscoll (deputy vice-captain), Hayley Miller, Meg Kauffman, Jess Low, Mim Strom
In: Meg Kauffman, Jess Low, Mim Strom
Out: Ash Brazill, Aine Tighe
Stannett will lead for a third season, with Newton elevated to vice-captain for the first time in the stead of veteran Brazill, who has taken a step back from the leadership group. Former skipper Miller remains as an experienced player within the leadership group, with star ruck Strom and unheralded pair Kauffman and Low added in for the first time.
Ange Stannett leads Fremantle out during round nine, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images
Captains: Nina Morrison, Becky Webster
Leadership group: Nil
In: Becky Webster
Out: Meg McDonald, Amy McDonald
The Cats have gone for the most streamlined of leadership groups under new coach Mick Stinear, with just two publicly named co-captains. Morrison and Webster, both 25, were drafted together ahead of Geelong’s first season, and the pair have featured in leadership groups over the years. Morrison served as acting captain last year when the now-retired Meg McDonald wasn’t selected.
Becky Webster and Nina Morrison will be Geelong co-captains in 2026. Picture: Geelong FC
TBC
Captain: Rebecca Beeson
Vice-captains: Alyce Parker, Tarni Evans
Leadership group: Cambridge McCormick, Georgia Garnett, Tilly Lucas-Rodd
In: Georgia Garnett and Tilly Lucas-Rodd
Out: Katherine Smith
Former Hawthorn captain Tilly Lucas-Rodd has already made an impact at their new club, finding themselves in the leadership group for their first season in the charcoal and orange. Popular forward Georgia Garnett has also been voted into the group for the first time, and defender Cambridge McCormick has been elevated from an emerging leader to a member of the leadership group following an outstanding 2025 season where she was named in the All-Australian team. Rebecca Beeson returns as captain for her third season, joined once again by vice-captains Alyce Parker and Tarni Evans.
Rebecca Beeson leads her team out during the AFLW R2 match between GWS and Collingwood at Victoria Park on August 23, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos
Captain: Emily Bates
Vice-captain: Eliza West
Leadership group: Jasmine Fleming, Áine McDonagh, Lucy Wales and Tamara Smith
In: Lucy Wales, Tamara Smith
Out: Jenna Richardson, Tilly Lucas-Rodd
Emily Bates has been voted captain by her peers for a third year, with Eliza West continuing to support as vice-captain for her second year. The six-player leadership group features the returning Jasmine Fleming and Áine McDonagh, with Lucy Wales and Tamara Smith named as recognised leaders for the first time, taking the place of Tilly Lucas-Rodd (traded to Greater Western Sydney) and Jenna Richardson.
Emily Bates and Eliza West lead the team out ahead of the match between Hawthorn and Greater Western Sydney at Kinetic Stadium in week eight, 2024. Picture: Getty Images
Catptain: Kate Hore
Vice-captain: Tyla Hanks
Leadership group: Maeve Chaplin, Eliza McNamara and Tahlia Gillard
In: Tahlia Gillard
Out: Sarah Lampard, Paxy Paxman
The Dees have maintained stability in their leadership group, with Kate Hore and Tyla Hanks selected to lead the side for the third consecutive season. Last year’s “emerging leaders” Eliza McNamara and Maeve Chaplin have been elevated to the senior leadership group, in place of Sarah Lampard and Paxy Paxman who have moved onto mentorship roles. 22-year-old key defender Tahlia Gillard also has a place in the leadership group in 2026 following a standout season, and Saraid Taylor and Megan Fitzsimon have been named this year’s “emerging leaders”.
Kate Hore poses for a photo during Melbourne’s 2026 team photo day at the MCG. Picture: AFL Photos
Captan: Jasmine Garner
Vice-captain: Ash Riddell
Leadership group: Nicole Bresnehan, Jasmine Ferguson, Libby Birch
In: Nil
Out: Bella Eddey
Star midfielder Jasmine Garner will lead the Roos for her second season after taking over from Emma Kearney last year, with reigning league and club best and fairest Ash Riddell at her side again as vice-captain. Following their back-to-back premiership, the Roos have kept the leadership group consistent with experienced trio Libby Birch, Jasmine Ferguson and Nicole Bresnehan all retaining their spots.
Jasmine Garner after North Melbourne’s win in the 2025 AFLW Grand Final against Brisbane at Ikon Park. Picture: AFL Photos
TBC
Captain: Ellie McKenzie, Gab Seymour
Vice-captain: Monique Conti
Leadership group: Beth Lynch, Sarah Hosking, Bec Miller
In: Sarah Hosking, Bec Miller
Out: Katie Brennan, Tessa Lavey
The Tigers have opted for co-captains to replace Brennan, who stepped down at the end of last year. Seymour’s rise to captaincy is an impressive story, having been a volleyball-playing rookie who was sent to learn the game through local footy after being signed by Richmond. McKenzie is still just 23, having already played six seasons.
Richmond co-captains Gabby Seymour and Ellie McKenzie. Picture: Richmond FC
Captain: Serene Watson
Vice-captains: Tyanna Smith
Leadership group: Georgia Patrikios, Molly McDonald, Paige Trudgeon
In: Paige Trudgeon
Out: Nicola Barr, Hannah Priest
Vice-captain Watson has been promoted to the top job after long-term leader Hannah Priest stepped down, with Smith deputised as a result. Ex-Blue Trudgeon joins the leadership group for the first time in her third season at Moorabbin, after a career-best 2025. It’s a turning of the tide at St Kilda, with not one leader older than 25.
Captain: Lucy McEvoy
Vice-captains: Cynthia Hamilton and Sofia Hurley
In: Cynthia Hamilton, Sofia Hurley
Out: Chloe Molloy
Lucy McEvoy will be Sydney’s standalone captain for the first time after star forward Chloe Molloy stood down from the role this pre-season. Molloy and McEvoy had been co-captains since 2023, with Molloy stepping down from the role to focus on her body and her performance after a number of injury setbacks. McEvoy is joined by young guns Sofia Hurley and Cynthia Hamilton who take on leadership responsibilities for the first time.
Lucy McEvoy leads Sydney out ahead of a clash against Gold Coast in round eight, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos
Captains: Bella Lewis and Charlie Thomas
Vice-captain: Mikayla Western
Leadership group: Jaide Britton, Lauren Wakfer, Emma Swanson
In: Lauren Wakfer, Emma Swanson
Out: Dana Hooker, Alison Drennan
A familiar face has returned to the Eagles’ leadership group with inaugural captain Emma Swanson finding her way back after stepping down from the leadership responsibilities last season. Co-captains Bella Lewis and Charlie Thomas return for their second season sharing the top job, as has Jaide Britton who has been named as sole vice-captain. Ruck Lauren Wakfer has been elevated to the leadership group for the first time.
Charlie Thomas and Bella Lewis lead West Coast out ahead of a clash against Geelong in round 10, 2025. Picture: Getty Images
Captains: Deanna Berry, Isabelle Pritchard
Leadership group: Jess Fitzgerald, Issy Grant, Alice Edmonds
Emerging leader: Elisabeth Georgostathis
In: Alice Edmonds
Out: Ellie Blackburn, Lou Stephenson, Elle Bennetts
Pritchard has been elevated to a co-captaincy position, with Berry having served as a solo skipper for the past two seasons. Senior ruck Edmonds joins the group for the first time, as three veterans – including former skipper Blackburn – step down.
Isabelle Pritchard in action during the Western Bulldogs’ clash against Collingwood in round seven, 2025. Picture: Getty Images
