Luke McDonald and Jy Simpkin will lead North Melbourne into a new era after the duo were named co-captains of the club on Friday.

The pair were voted in by their fellow teammates and coaches, with the news officially announced to the group on Friday morning.

Co-vice-captains in 2022, McDonald and Simpkin will be supported by former captain Jack Ziebell who will remain a member of the player leadership group in 2023.

Earlier this week, Ziebell announced his decision to step down from the captaincy after six seasons and 111 games as skipper.

A father-son selection in the 2013 AFL Draft, McDonald is a lifelong North Melbourne person, after following in his father Donald’s footsteps. McDonald made his debut for the club in Round 1, 2014 and has played 159 games in the royal blue and white over nine seasons.

Simpkin arrived at Arden Street prior to the 2017 season after being selected at pick 12 in the 2016 AFL Draft. Across five seasons and 116 games, the 24-year-old has become a key cog in the Roos’ midfield.

A proud Yorta Yorta man, Simpkin claimed the Syd Barker Medal in 2022 for the second consecutive year.

Existing leadership group members Ben Cunnington and Nick Larkey will continue in their positions in 2023 while Ben McKay joins the leadership group for the first time. 

The key defender is the newest inclusion to the contingent after being voted into the position by his teammates. After being selected with pick 21 of the 2015 AFL Draft, the 25-year-old has developed into one of the club’s most important players known for his intercept marking and overall defensive nous.

“The leadership vote was values-based, with a focus on who best represented our Shinboner Spirit,” North Melbourne’s general manager of football Todd Viney said.

“From the vote, we couldn’t split Luke and Jy in terms of the influence they’ve had on the playing group and the club as two of our key leaders. 

“Therefore, it was decided that for the first time in the club’s history, the club would opt for a co-captaincy leadership model.

“Luke and Jy are outstanding individuals, well-equipped for this role both from a football and a cultural sense. 

“Everyone at the club has great respect for Luke and Jy. They are both equally as passionate about getting the club back to where it needs to be, developing our young talent and fostering a positive club culture.”