Game the AFL’s captains are most looking forward to this season is not what you might expect

The Brisbane Lions are favourites to claim back-to-back flags, and the Showdown between Adelaide and Port is the most anticipated match of the season, according to a poll of the 18 AFL club captains.

Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos, who finished second in last season’s Brownlow count and third a year earlier, is favoured to be crowned this year’s medallist. Western Bulldogs’ skipper Marcus Bontempelli was also heavily tipped, but the poll was conducted before his ankle injury last Thursday, which has ruled him out of the start of the season.

Geelong spearhead Jeremy Cameron has been backed to win this year’s Coleman Medal ahead of defending champion Jesse Hogan and Carlton star Charlie Curnow, a dual winner.

Captains were largely split on who will win the Rising Star award. Sam Lalor, the No.1 draft pick and the man Richmond hopes will eventually play a key role in their rebirth, had four votes. However, a dozen different players were also tipped to claim the prestigious award. Carlton’s Jagga Smith also had support with three votes, but the No.3 draft pick has since been ruled out for the entire season with an ACL injury.

There was a surprise result when it came to picking the game the captains were most looking forward to. Five captains plumped for the South Australian Showdown as their preferred clash, while the potentially spicy preliminary final rematch between Hawthorn and Port Adelaide, the traditional Anzac Day blockbuster between Essendon and Collingwood, and the NSW derby each had three votes.

Bruce McAvaney, the legendary Seven commentator, was voted by six captains as their preferred caller, ahead of a season where McAvaney makes a regular return to AFL action. Former Carlton and Collingwood player Dale Thomas was second (two votes).

There were mixed responses when it came to the ideal grand final pre-game entertainment, with King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard earning two votes, and the rest one vote each. That list included Tame Impala and Dua Lipa, AC/DC, Robbie Williams, Dido, Charli XCX, Led Zeppelin, Mumford & Sons, SZA, Oasis, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beyonce, Zach Bryan, Eminem, Justin Bieber, Kings of Leon and Chris Stussy.

Lance Franklin (three) was the favoured past player in their prime the current generation would like to have played with. Some interesting names were thrown up, including Geelong great Billy Goggin, St Kilda and Sydney goalkicking champion Tony Lockett and Robert DiPierdomenico, the five-time Hawthorn premiership player and joint 1986 Brownlow medallist.