AFL club North Melbourne will name their 2012 captain on Friday with 20-year-old Jack Ziebell among the leading candidates.

Brent Harvey, 33, said last week he was keen to continue in the role but he understood the club needed to have a transition phase.

Kangaroos coach Brad Scott has a number of potential leaders in his squad including Harvey’s vice-captain Drew Petrie, 29.

Petrie is believed to be keen to take on the role but is expecting Ziebell and reigning joint club champion Andrew Swallow, 24, to be strongly considered.

Midfielder Ziebell, who turns 21 on February 28, would become the third-youngest captain in league history if appointed.

The youngest was North’s David Dench at 20 years and 221 days in 1972, while another Kangaroos great Wayne Carey was fifth-youngest at 21 years and 303 days in 1993.

Scott praised Harvey for his efforts as captain over the past three seasons.

Harvey could play a similar role to former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting, according to Scott. Ponting is playing on with success at 37 and is an on-field mentor for new Test skipper Michael Clarke.

Scott says Harvey, who claimed his fifth club best-and-fairest award in 2010, has been an outstanding leader over a long period.

“He is a player who I think can really support the next generational leader,” Scott said.

“We have an embarrassment of riches in terms of young leaders.”