Brisbane, Queensland — with the AFL looming on the calendar for 2026, Harris Andrews is increasingly seen as the likeliest choice to hold Brisbane’s sole captaincy as Lachie Neale steps back from co-captain duties due to personal circumstances.
For fans and club insiders, the focus is on leadership continuity and how a new dynamic might influence on-field communication and decision-making at key moments.
What we know
- Andrews is widely tipped to carry the Lions’ leadership in 2026.
- There is an expectation that Lachie Neale will no longer share the captaincy role.
- The club is weighing how to balance experience with younger leadership within the locker room.
- Any official announcement has not been published publicly as of yet; discussions are ongoing.
- The decision aims to keep continuity while adapting to the season’s demands.
The Lions face the 2026 season with a leadership framework in mind, focusing on on-field communication and standardisation of duties across coaching and playing groups.
What we don’t know
- Whether Neale will retain a prominent leadership presence in any other capacity within Brisbane.
- How a sole-captain arrangement would affect deputy leadership roles or midfield leadership groups.
- Whether there will be a formal announcement before training camp or closer to the preseason fixtures.
- How opponents might react to a new captaincy structure as the season approaches.
- What criteria will officially define the leadership transition and grooming of future leaders.
As the club finalises its leadership blueprint, fans will be watching closely for confirmation from Brisbane ahead of the AFL 2026 calendar.
Log in to vote.
