Captains play a huge part in a rugby league's side success or failure.
A strong leader will speak with both words and actions, and inspire the players around him to put in for 80 minutes each week and also off the field.
The benefits of a good captain can be proven in many examples - most notably, Melbourne under Cameron Smith and Roosters under Jake Friend and Boyd Cordner.
In 2021, there will be a few new names captaining their respective outfits.
Check out each club's captain and leadership group for 2021.
BRISBANE BRONCOS
2021 CAPTAIN: Alex Glenn
2020 CAPTAIN: Alex Glenn
LEADERSHIP GROUP: N/A
ANALYSIS: No captain has been named for the 2021 season, with new coach Kevin Walters taking his time. Alex Glenn is the incumbent and will likely be the front-runner, but they may opt for a younger player such as Patrick Carrigan to take the reins. Andrew McCullough could have been a potential leader, but he appears set to join the Dragons.
Highly decorated backrower Alex Glenn will be Captain of the Brisbane Broncos again this seasonhttps://t.co/Zc51CNLb6C pic.twitter.com/5OnqnPsCTw
— Brisbane Broncos (@brisbanebroncos) February 26, 2021
CANBERRA RAIDERS
2021 CAPTAIN: Jarrod Croker/Josh Hodgson
2020 CAPTAIN: Jarrod Croker/Josh Hodgson
LEADERSHIP GROUP: N/A
ANALYSIS: Jarrod Croker and Josh Hodgson have split the role since 2019, however, the latter missed a large part of 2020. There has been no indication that their captaincy will be changing hands, and with Croker out for the first few games of the season, Hodgson will be in charge.
CANTERBURY BULLDOGS
2021 CAPTAIN: Josh Jackson
2020 CAPTAIN: Josh Jackson
LEADERSHIP GROUP: N/A
ANALYSIS: Josh Jackson has been the heart and soul of the club for many years, and there is no reason to change that. Under new coach Trent Barrett, there has been no official announcement on a leadership group and potential members.
CRONULLA SHARKS
2021 CAPTAIN: Wade Graham
2020 CAPTAIN: Wade Graham
LEADERSHIP GROUP: N/A
ANALYSIS: Wade Graham has led the side since the retirement of Paul Gallen, and took the Sharks to the finals once again in 2020. No leadership group has been named at this stage.
GOLD COAST TITANS
2021 CAPTAIN: Kevin Proctor/Jamal Fogerty
2020 CAPTAIN: Ryan James/Kevin Proctor
LEADERSHIP GROUP: N/A
ANALYSIS: Club captain Ryan James has departed, signing with the Raiders for 2021. Kevin Proctor took the captain's armband last season anyway, with James out injured. He will be joined by Jamal Fogerty in a nod back to their inaugural season
MANLY SEA EAGLES
2021 CAPTAIN: Daly Cherry-Evans
2020 CAPTAIN: Daly Cherry-Evans
LEADERSHIP GROUP: N/A
ANALYSIS: Daly Cherry-Evans is not only captain of his club, he is also captain of his state . Nobody will be taking the job from him, and they have also not announced an official leadership group. Jake Trbojevic is the standout option as DCE's deputy.
MELBOURNE STORM
2021 CAPTAIN: Dale Finucane/Jesse Bromwich
2020 CAPTAIN: Cameron Smith
LEADERSHIP GROUP: Kenny Bromwich, Cam Munster, Felise Kaufusi and Christian Welch (main leadership group) Jahrome Hughes, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Brandon Smith, Tui Kamikamica, Tom Eisenhuth and Harry Grant (Emerging Leaders)
ANALYSIS: With the departure of legendary captain and hooker Cameron Smith, there is a huge hole to fill in Melbourne. Dale Finucane and Jesse Bromwich will co-captain the side in his absence alongside a stacked leadership group. In that group, it's almost easier to mention who isn't in it with 10 players added to it.
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
2021 CAPTAIN: Daniel Saifiti and Jayden Brailey
2020 CAPTAIN: Mitchell Pearce
LEADERSHIP GROUP: Kalyn Ponga, Blake Green, Daniel Saifiti, Mitch Barnett, Jayden Brailey
ANALYSIS: After an off-season from hell for Mitchell Pearce, the veteran halfback has stood down as captain. There has now been a five-man leadership group named, with one of them to be announced as captain before the season begins. Blake Green appears the front-runner, however he won't be back until at least round 5 due to a knee injury. Daniel Saifiti and Jayden Brailey were announced as co-captains at the season launch.
NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
2021 CAPTAIN: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
2020 CAPTAIN: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
LEADERSHIP GROUP: N/A
ANALYSIS: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck might be leaving at the end of the year to pursue a career in rugby union - but he is still the best man to lead the Warriors in 2020. Underneath him, there is a lack of leaders after the departures of Adam Blair and Blake Green. Kodi Nikorima, Jazz Tevaga and Peta Hiku are potential replacements for RTS once he leaves.
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
2021 CAPTAIN: Michael Morgan
2020 CAPTAIN: Michael Morgan
LEADERSHIP GROUP: N/A
ANALYSIS: After a disrupted 2020 season, Michael Morgan will take the reins again for the Cowboys. Jason Taumalolo is the obvious deputy, but besides those two players there are no standout leaders in the squad. Morgan will need to find his best football and best position if the club are to return to the finals.
PARRAMATTA EELS
2021 CAPTAIN: Clint Gutherson
2020 CAPTAIN: Clint Gutherson
LEADERSHIP GROUP: Clint Gutherson, Mitch Moses, Junior Paulo, Nathan Brown, Ryan Matterson.
ANALYSIS: The club aren't short on leaders - but King Gutho is a clear standout. As well as having a really solid roster, Parramatta are very well-served in the leadership department and hopefully that can see them push for a title in 2021.
PENRITH PANTHERS
2021 CAPTAIN: Nathan Cleary/Isaah Yeo
2020 CAPTAIN: James Tamou
LEADERSHIP GROUP: N/A
ANALYSIS: With the departure of James Tamou, it was expected that Isaah Yeo would step up in 2021 - which he will. The surprising element is Nathan Cleary as co-captain. These things rarely last, with it very difficult to have two captains at the same time. They have a young squad, but the likes of James Fisher-Harris and Api Koroisau are also leaders.
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
2021 CAPTAIN: Ben Hunt
2020 CAPTAIN: Cameron McInnes
LEADERSHIP GROUP: N/A
ANALYSIS: Oh boy, they have been hit with a huge blow. Cameron McInnes will not only depart for Cronulla in 2022, but he has now been ruled out for 2021 after an ACL injury at training . This leaves a huge hole in their leadership department, with the likes of Tyson Frizell, James Graham and Gareth Widdop all departing in the past two years. Ben Hunt will step up in their absence, appointed as captain by Anthony Griffin.
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
2021 CAPTAIN: Adam Reynolds
2020 CAPTAIN: Adam Reynolds
LEADERSHIP GROUP: Adam Reynolds, Damien Cook, Cody Walker
ANALYSIS: South Sydney are very well off in the leadership department, with Reynolds taking over last season and doing a fantastic job. On top of that, they have Damien Cook and Cody Walker in the leadership group, and have just signed Benji Marshall . Rising star Cameron Murray is touted as a future captain of club, state and country and will continue to develop as a leader in 2021.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS
2021 CAPTAIN: Jake Friend/Boyd Cordner
2020 CAPTAIN: Jake Friend/Boyd Cordner
LEADERSHIP GROUP: N/A
ANALYSIS: Two captains has worked well in this rare instance for the Roosters over the past couple of years. Jake Friend will be the sole captain for a large chunk of 2021 however, with Boyd Cordner out with injury. James Tedesco has captained his state already and has great leadership potential, while the likes of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Siosiua Taukeiaho have a wealth of NRL and international experience.
WESTS TIGERS
2021 CAPTAIN: James Tamou
2020 CAPTAIN: Moses Mbye
LEADERSHIP GROUP: James Tamou, Luke Brooks, Adam Doueihi, David Nofoaluma, Alex Twal
ANALYSIS: James Tamou is a great addition to a club that hasn't made the finals in a decade, and will take over as skipper. Moses Mbye has relinquished his spot in the leadership group, with a five-man team named including young gun Adam Doueihi. The club will be in a good position moving forward with younger players learning under Tamou.
