It was no surprise when Lachie Neale and Harris Andrews were announced as Brisbane's new captains.
But Lincoln McCarthy was in the mix too, the small forward one of five to interview for the top job after Dayne Zorko stepped back in the off-season.
It's a testament to McCarthy's standing at the Lions, where he is regarded as one of the natural leaders due to his listening ability as much as his freakish talent.
McCarthy was happy for good mate Neale and Brisbane native Andrews to assume the position, but said putting his hand up was a reminder that leadership comes in all forms.
"You don't have to be the best player to be skipper," he said when asked how he pitched to coach Chris Fagan and the selection panel.
"That's traditionally, normally, the case of what happens but it depends on how you view leadership.
"We've all been working on being the best leaders we can be and I just thought it was a duty to put the hand up and give them a different taste of leadership, so they can choose the best way forward for the club."
McCarthy will still offer that as part of an 11-strong leadership group and a team generally walking with purpose into the 2023 season, which begins on the road against Port Adelaide on Saturday.
The addition of Hawthorn premiership forward Jack Gunston to the Lions' front six has added depth, as other recruits have done in the midfield and defence.
The softly spoken McCarthy is less bullish about expectations for the season than veteran teammate Daniel Rich, who says they have never been higher.
But McCarthy, who will begin his fifth season in Brisbane after playing five in Geelong, has noticed a change in the air.
"What I have felt is the level of investment; we're all really keen to execute exactly what the coach's vision is and that's exciting to look around and see as an older player," he said.
