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Sport Nation
Each AFL captain’s favourite player from a rival club
SEN • February 28th, 2025 10:08 am
Who is your favourite player from a rival club? Not necessarily the best, but your favourite.
That’s what we asked 17 of the 18 AFL captains to see which particular players they love watching.
Read the thoughts of the skippers from AFL Captain's Day below:
ADELAIDE
“Marcus Bontempelli. He is always one I tried to model my game on. He’s just been a star since he walked into the Bulldogs. He is someone I admire and love playing against.” - Jordan Dawson.
BRISBANE
“I love Zak Butters from Port. He’s a similar height to me but quicker and zippier. I love watching him go about his business.” - Lachie Neale.
CARLTON
“I’m pretty close to Lachie Neale. He gets tagged a lot so I enjoy watching how he picks apart a tagger.” - Patrick Cripps.
ESSENDON
“I’m a big footy fan and I think of the players I’d like to play with like Toby Greene and Marcus Bontempelli.” - Zach Merrett.
FREMANTLE
“Toby Nankervis, a good Tassie boy.” - Alex Pearce.
GEELONG
“James Sicily, definitely.” - Patrick Dangerfield.
GOLD COAST
“A few of us like Dane Rampe from Sydney. We just like the way he goes about it, he’s a pretty cool operator.” - Noah Anderson.
GWS GIANTS
“I love watch Izak Rankine. He’s ready to explode I reckon.” - Toby Greene.
HAWTHORN
“Toby Greene.” - James Sicily.
MELBOURNE
“It was Levi Casboult for a long time but he’s now hung the boots up. I have to pick a new favourite and I love people who take contested marks so I’ll go Tom Lynch.” - Max Gawn.
NORTH MELBOURNE
“Clayton Oliver from the Dees. He’s a gun.” - Jy Simpkin.
PORT ADELAIDE
“I love The Bont.” - Connor Rozee
RICHMOND
“Tom Atkins from Geelong. I love the way he goes about it, I’d love to play with him.” - Toby Nankervis.
ST KILDA
“I’ve always been a massive fan of Marcus Bontempelli, he’s a very handy player. He’s such a damaging player who hurts you whenever he gets it.” - Jack Steele.
SYDNEY
“It was Tom Hawkins, I loved Tom Hawkins. Now it’s probably Bont.” - Callum Mills.
WEST COAST
“I love watching Kozzie Pickett play. I’ll say Zak Butters as well. He’s from the same hometown (Darley/Bacchus Marsh), he’s going alright the big fella.” - Liam Duggan.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
“I love Zak Butters, he’s a very good player at Port Adelaide. I know he’s a Bulldogs supporter which makes me like him even more. I love his tenacity and energy, and he’s obviously a very skilful player.” - Marcus Bontempelli.
