DYNAMIC small forward Michael Walters has emerged as a potential leader at Fremantle, according to teammate Michael Barlow.
The Dockers are set for a vote on the leadership group for 2015 within the next three weeks.
Since Ross Lyon took over as coach of Fremantle ahead of the 2012 season the players have voted on the leadership group and the captain each year.
Lyon flagged significant changes to the group during his speech at last year's best and fairest awards.
The current group includes long-term captain Matthew Pavlich, veterans Luke McPharlin, Aaron Sandilands and David Mundy, as well as Lee Spurr and Matt de Boer.
While Barlow was adamant that the current leadership group could not be questioned he did nominate Walters as an example of a player outside of the official leaders that was stepping up to the mark.
"Michael Walters is a guy that portrays great leadership attributes and is a real team driver as well, in and around the club, without that leadership title," Barlow said.
Two-time reigning best and fairest and AFL Players' Association MVP Nat Fyfe is also in the mix.
Barlow said Fyfe's emergence as a leader was becoming more and more prevalent.
"He's obviously been a massive talent for us," he said.
"But his growth and his leadership as a footballer in and around the younger players now is really, really noticeable.
"He's a real team director and the on-field leadership aspect of his game is first-rate. It's good to see him going really well."
While there may be changes to the Dockers' leadership group it remains to be seen whether there will be a change of captain.
Pavlich has been the obvious choice over the past eight seasons, however the 33-year-old is in the final year of his contract and has not committed his playing future beyond this season.
Barlow says there is no reason for the skipper to lose his title.
"Pav's going alright at the moment," he said.
"He's like a fine wine. He just keeps getting better.
"There's not much to be critical of Pav at this stage."
