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Sport Nation
Miers' call for the future captaincy at Geelong
Louis Van Dam • June 20th, 2025 11:03 am
Currently cruising along for the year so far, Geelong is comfortably occupying a top two spot, and predictors seem to believe they have it locked away with their relatively easy upcoming run of games.
But a talking point at the Cattery is who is the next best candidate to step up and claim the captaincy for the coming years.
Current captain Patrick Dangerfield and vice-captain Tom Stewart are now both respectively approaching the twilight of their careers, especially Dangerfield who is approaching his 350th game this weekend at the age of 35.
Gryan Miers put forward a surprise name to take the captaincy reins when it's time for Dangerfield to step aside.
“I think if we need an immediate response, I think Tom Atkins would be a fantastic captain,” Miers on SEN Breakfast.
“But, with the way Danger’s going I can’t see him slowing down, he’s leading us so well.
“Tom Stewart is thereabouts, so they’re probably my batch of the ‘nows’.”
Stewart, 32, still has multiple years left in his tenure, although has been battling with some concussions and injuries over the last few years, meaning Geelong will soon have to think about picking someone who can fill that role if he becomes unavailable after Dangerfield’s retirement.
Atkins, who is currently 29 years old in his seventh year, has been commended, praised and looked up to by teammates for his leadership traits and immense toughness in games, having the fitting characteristics for a captain.
Miers also took a look to the future, providing some names that might have the 'C' next to them in the coming years.
“But then in the future there’s Max Holmes, Toby Conway, who you might not have seen much of, they’re our young leaders that are progressing well,” Miers continued.
“Ollie Dempsey again, so they’re probably the next batch coming through.”
Conway has only played a total of six games since his debut in 2023 due to being injury prone, making it hard for him to be in contention for the role so far.
Dempsey, who is continually improving at a rapid rate and having a career-best year after 46 games, may not be seen as mature as Holmes who has 90 games under his belt at the same age and is continuing his rise into the league’s top echelon.
Holmes has taken a huge leap and quickly turned into a premium star at the Cats in his fifth year, currently in All-Australian form and leading by example.
He certainly has done his chances of being the club's next long-term leader no harm.
