Ken Hinkley’s top 10 captains in 2026 so far

Ken Hinkley has listed his top 10 captains of the 2026 season so far!

As part of his weekly 'Ken's 10' on SEN Sportsday, Hinkley went through every club, ranking their captains based on their leadership and form across the season.

The former Port Adelaide head coach only considered one rule when crafting his list:

"No co-captains," he said.

"Who is the captain that is leading the best? Hawthorn is a great example, James Sicily or Jai Newcombe?

"The Lions - Josh Dunkley, Harris Andrews and Hugh McCluggage. I'm not quite sure who (the best leader is), so I left them out."

See Ken's 10 below:

10. Callum Mills (Sydney)

"He's had a pretty strong year himself and he has come in and held them together.

"Now his challenge is to continue to hold them together.

"They've been asked a few questions in the last two to three weeks, and it will be interesting to see how they respond."

9. Toby Greene (GWS Giants)

"I think Toby has had that sort of year - he's about middle of the table, but now he's getting his team together at the right time.

"In six weeks' time, if they keep going the way that they are, Toby Greene might be a fair bit higher."

8. Nick Daicos (Collingwood)

"I've got a couple of stand-in captain that have had to shoulder a big load.(Captained) all but four of the games he has played in.

"Individual form is really important as a captain. Your leadership players aren't that great unless they can deliver on gameday the most.

"You've got to be a great player to be a great captain."

7. Patrick Cripps (Carlton)

"He has come really hard over these last seven weeks. He has led the club really well in really tough circumstances.

"Paddy has had a great last seven or eight weeks. It will be interesting to see what his last six weeks are like."

6. Zak Butters (Port Adelaide)

"He stepped in for Connor Rozee in Round 2, and until the weekend, you couldn't have asked him to have played any better or lead any better.

"With all the scrutiny that he has been under this year, I think he's done an outstanding job at maintaining the team."

5. Callum Wilkie (St Kilda)

"Been really good. Unbelievable. I've just got a feeling about the Saints."

4. Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)

"I think the Bont has been unbelievably good. The next four could have been in any order."

3. Alex Pearce (Fremantle)

"Flagmantle at number three. He has shown again what he is so good at. I think he has been amazing.

"He's always amazing when they need him the most. When you want a big moment, he is the one who plays big for them."

2. Jordan Dawson (Adelaide)

"One and two was impossible nearly, but I went with Jordan Dawson at two. With all the challenges that he has had to face this year.

"The way that he has played and led his team and been Mr. Reliable week in, week out - he's got their team in a really challenging and possibly surging position."

1. Max Gawn (Melbourne)

"You just can't not go with Max Gawn at number one. You just have to go with Max.

"Everyone - me included - thought bottom six at best. Max Gawn, ruck rule change, everything else that's going on.

"The way he leads that footy club, the way he plays and in a time where that club could have fallen to pieces in a big way... that's the thing I've looked at the most.

"He has been the reason, along with Steven King, that they have stuck together.

"They are not only going to surprise everyone, they are going to challenge everyone from now to the end of the year. I'll give it to him at number one."