It's the big question facing incoming South Sydney Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou - who is going to replace Adam Reynolds in 2022?
The 31-year-old will move to Brisbane next season, after he was denied a long-term extension by Souths, and will take the reins for the Broncos in the No.7 jumper.
Reynolds has been the heart and soul of the Rabbitohs for almost a decade, steering them to a premiership in 2014 and taking over the captaincy following the retirements of Sam Burgess and John Sutton.
His departure will leave a huge whole at Redfern, both in the leadership and playmaking department, and there are players who will need to stand up and take his place.
With a vacancy in both the captaincy and at halfback, Sporting News have broken down the potential replacements for Adam Reynolds below.
WHO REPLACES ADAM REYNOLDS AS RABBITOHS CAPTAIN?
Cameron Murray
The front-runner for the role, Murray has been tipped as a future leader not only for the Rabbitohs, but at representative level as well, long before he even debuted in first grade.
The 23-year-old speaks well, is well-liked by his teammates and has earned the respect of his peers due to his consistent performances
Murray's manager Steve Gillis told Sporting News in the lead-up to the grand final that he was destined to captain the club.
"He’s in the elite class now and he’s probably the best modern-day forward in the game, the way he plays - he is Mr. Perpetual Motion in a smaller version," he said.
"He’s started to develop a little offload too, he goes through the line and can offload the ball. He’s got one of the best defensive techniques in the game, one of the quickest play-the-balls in the game, and he’s pound-for-pound one of the most courageous players in the game. He’s an absolute machine.
“He was born to captain South Sydney. His dad played there, he grew up playing juniors there, he absolutely loves the club and he will captain Souths.
"I think he’s ready next year, but that will be up to the coach."
Murray was arguably the best player on the field in the grand final loss to Penrith, making 52 tackles without a miss, and it's a matter of when, not if in regards to him taking over the Rabbitohs' captaincy.
Damien Cook
He's dominated at club, Origin and international level in recent years, and is a senior player within the South Sydney ranks.
Cook is in the peak of his career, still has plenty of football ahead of him and is signed to the Rabbitohs until the end of 2023.
The 30-year-old is a great success story as well, having overcome years of being stuck in reserve grade to become one of the game's most dynamic players and a fixture for NSW Blues and Kangaroos.
Cook never shies away from media commitments and is a real clean-skin on and off the field, making him a great potential leader.
Cody Walker
Another one of the senior players in the Rabbitohs' roster, Walker is coming off an incredible individual campaign.
The 31-year-old was the club's best player as they made their way to the 2021 grand final, and leads by example and his performances with the ball.
Similar to the story of Cook, he has overcome plenty of adversity and is a real late bloomer at NRL level, not debuting with Souths until the age of 26.
Walker also does great work in the community and was nominated for the Ken Stephen Medal this year, which we all know is an important part of leadership at NRL level.
The only thing that may go against him as that he is prone to a brain-snap on the field, as well as the fact he isn't signed beyond next year with the Rabbitohs.
Tom Burgess
Another senior player at the Rabbitohs, Burgess enjoyed a career year in 2021 and has been at the club for eight years.
The 29-year-old has played at the highest level for England and in grand finals for South Sydney, and is a fantastic speaker.
Burgess is a cleanskin player and sets a great example for younger players at the club.
He is unlikely to be made captain however, considering he played off the bench plenty of times in 2021 and could be there again next year.
Mark Nicholls
Perhaps a left-field choice, but Nicholls has earned the respect of his peers and was even made captain in the final regular season game this year.
The 31-year-old journeyman is a quiet achiever and enjoyed his best season in first grade this year, cementing himself as a starting prop under Wayne Bennett.
While he is by no means a star, Nicholls could be a great short-term skipper if the club are looking to groom Cameron Murray for another year or two before making him captain.
SPORTING NEWS' VERDICT: Cameron Murray
Murray is going to be captain at some stage, so why not make it next year?
The bloke is clearly ready for it, and he is the type of player who can lead the club for the next decade.
Make it happen, Souths.
WHO REPLACES ADAM REYNOLDS AS RABBITOHS HALFBACK?
Anthony Milford
Signed by the club on the recommendation of departing coach Wayne Bennett, the former Broncos playmaker will be looking to revive his career in 2022.
Milford is a classy player on his day and can break a game open, and will add even more spark to the South Sydney attack next year.
There may be question marks over a potential combination with Cody Walker, as both players are natural five-eighths and may struggle to work without a game-manager next to them.
The off-field incident a few weeks ago may hurt Milford, but at this stage he looks the front-runner to start 2022 at halfback.
Benji Marshall
There's no guarantee he will even play next season, but Marshall would be the perfect short-term replacement for Adam Reynolds at halfback.
The 36-year-old was fantastic for the Rabbitohs this year, mentoring the younger players and providing spark off the bench and in the starting side when called upon.
Marshall wouldn't have to play every game, but his experience and game-management would certainly help take the pressure off Cody Walker.
With some young players waiting in the wings, Marshall extending his career for a further season to give them more time to develop would be great business for South Sydney.
Lachlan Ilias
One of the younger players referred to above, Ilias has been earmarked as the long-term halfback for South Sydney.
The 21-year-old made his first grade debut in round 25 against the Dragons, and looks a player of real promise.
Ilias is certainly in the frame to take over from Reynolds next year, but it will be up to Jason Demetriou to decide whether or not he wants to throw the halfback in the deep-end, or ease him into things over a couple of years.
Time is on his side, and even if he isn't named halfback for the first game of next year, his opportunity will come at some stage.
Blake Taaffe
He played at fullback and came off the bench this year - but Taaffe is actually listed as a halfback on the Rabbitohs' official website.
The 22-year-old showed moments of brilliance while filling in at fullback, but is long odds to play there moving forward once Latrell Mitchell returns from suspension.
Taaffe has shown his ball-playing ability in the No.1 jumper, but it's a completely different ball-game once you get the No.7 on your back.
He's a player with plenty of upside and Souths obviously have high hopes for him, so it wouldn't be a total surprise if he was given a crack at halfback in 2022.
SPORTING NEWS' VERDICT: Benji Marshall
He might not play again in the NRL - but if he does, Marshall would be a great fit for the halfback role next season.
Milford isn't a halfback and has been poor for the Broncos in recent years, and could be better-suited in the No.14 utility role for South Sydney.
Taaffe and Ilias are both great young players with an abundance of potential, and keeping them under the learning tree of Marshall for a further year will be fantastic for their development.
The decision will ultimately be Marshall's to make, but we'd love to see him play on for one final campaign at Redfern.