Past #9: Andrew Swallow - 224 NM games - 3x Syds - captain '12-'16 - #43 '05 ND - thanks Spitta

[Event Horizon]

I'm not sold on him as captain but put my hand up as having had Andrew as my preferred candidate originally when we had a choice of Swallow or Ziebell.

Injury has clouded the picture lately but I still think Scott Thompson is the next best captaincy candidate in terms of experience, grunt, intelligence and natural leadership.

But anyway you can't take the captaincy off Swallow. Unless he gave it up I just don't see how it could happen.

Bottom line is, Ziebell hasn't fully made it as a player yet. He is yet to string 3-4 games of consistently good football. He should be allowed to concentrate on his own game, even though he oozes leadership. At the time when Swallow was selected captain, he was clearly the best midfielder at the club in terms of both, quality AND consistency.

He is having an ordinary season post serious injury, and should simply be given a chance to see how he goes next year. I can't see ANY other player who is consistent enough to warrant the change, as much as I agree, that Swallow isn't necessarily the best leader.

 

[King Corey]

Bottom line is, Ziebell hasn't fully made it as a player yet. He is yet to string 3-4 games of consistently good football. He should be allowed to concentrate on his own game, even though he oozes leadership. At the time when Swallow was selected captain, he was clearly the best midfielder at the club in terms of both, quality AND consistency.

He is having an ordinary season post serious injury, and should simply be given a chance to see how he goes next year. I can't see ANY other player who is consistent enough to warrant the change, as much as I agree, that Swallow isn't necessarily the best leader.

I haven't changed my mind on Swallow as a player. I think he was played too early (edit: coming back from injury) and managed one good game in his first 3 or 4 despite his dad's protestations on this site. But .. he's played some good games since and should only get better if his body keeps improving. No issues there.

What I got wrong was his personality. He's a professional individual but that's the crux. He strikes me as an individual rather than a natural team man. I think he'll prove a successful guy in life beyond footy due to his focus and personal discipline.

But there's something about him that seems out of place in commanding others, making them follow his orders and really being a ruthless AFL captain.

Could be wrong but that's the way I see it right now. He's Tim Nielsen but we need a Darren Lehmann.

 

[Winston]

I haven't changed my mind on Swallow as a player. I think he was played too early (edit: coming back from injury) and managed one good game in his first 3 or 4 despite his dad's protestations on this site. But .. he's played some good games since and should only get better if his body keeps improving. No issues there.

What I got wrong was his personality. He's a professional individual but that's the crux. He strikes me as an individual rather than a natural team man. I think he'll prove a successful guy in life beyond footy due to his focus and personal discipline.

But there's something about him that seems out of place in commanding others, making them follow his orders and really being a ruthless AFL captain.

Could be wrong but that's the way I see it right now. He's Tim Nielsen but we need a Darren Lehmann.

I watched Spitta closely today. Apart from his immense work in close with his tackling and clearances, he was forever directing traffic and pointing to where he wanted the boys to be at stoppages.
By far he is the best option as captain. Hopefully back to his pre-Achilles form too.

 

[NarniMagic]

Great game today. Ridiculous how many people on this board write off a 3 time bnf winner coming off an Achilles injury. Disgraceful actually.

 

[Kangaroos4eva]

Never doubt spitta, achilles injuries take a long time to get form back. Roughy has started this year to get his form back too.

 

[Wild Bill]

Yes

Who should be captain next year? Swallow was back to his inspirational best today. He has my vote to continue.

 

[Wild Bill]

Never doubt spitta, achilles injuries take a long time to get form back. Roughy has started this year to get his form back too.

He won the Coleman last year.

 

[Kangaroos4eva]

He won the Coleman last year.

Sorry meant last year, keep forgetting when he injured the damn thing.

 

[King Corey]

I watched Spitta closely today. Apart from his immense work in close with his tackling and clearances, he was forever directing traffic and pointing to where he wanted the boys to be at stoppages.
By far he is the best option as captain. Hopefully back to his pre-Achilles form too.

No arguments here. He was immense today.

 

[JZTIME!]

was always going to happen

 

[tazaa]

I criticised him and he he stood up. Won the hard ball and was back to his 2013 form.
Cant knock his kicking considering some of his teammates today. onya Spitter

 

[Jack Reacher]

Who should be captain next year? Swallow was back to his inspirational best today. He has my vote to continue.

Was he? I dont find him that inspirational, sorry. No standout right atm.

 

[Wild Bill]

Was he? I dont find him that inspirational, sorry. No standout right atm.

Only 1 player had more tackles than him this weekend. He continues to apply pressure to help us win the ball. He is a gun.

 

[TooUglyForFugly]

Only 1 player had more tackles than him this weekend. He continues to apply pressure to help us win the ball. He is a gun.

He's a friggin' bazooka.

 

[Jack Reacher]

Only 1 player had more tackles than him this weekend. He continues to apply pressure to help us win the ball. He is a gun.

Don't get me wrong, very good player is Spitta, he won't win us a flag though.......

 

[Wells Now Williams Fan]

9. ANDREW SWALLOW. Watched him closely since his return from the Achilles and he hasn’t been able to put together what I would say was a clinical Swallow performance. It came on Sunday against a team which likes coalface footy. Finished with 29, 11 tackles, 10 clearances and seven inside 50s and was clearly best afield.

From Knobbo likes/dislikes

 

[Wild Bill]

Don't get me wrong, very good player is Spitta, he won't win us a flag though.......

Maybe we should get maxwell out of retirement.

 

[TwentyNine]

Nope.

/thread

 

[Only Forwards]

Was Huge.

So was Jack.

We still trading them?

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

Was Huge.

So was Jack.

We still trading them?

Nah, we won.

 

[gokangas]

Was about to start the same thread. Did what a captain should do last 5 minutes. Sensational.

 

[LB2Snake]

There's never been any question about Spittas ball winning ability. He was huge in that last Q. No one has ever traded their captain and no one has really suggested it.
JZ was huge.

 

[kangaspurs]

Would have won the last 5 clearances of the game. Was massive in the last.

 

[kelman]

There's never been any question about Spittas ball winning ability. He was huge in that last Q. No one has ever traded their captain and no one has really suggested it.
JZ was huge.

A lot have suggested he shouldn't be captain though. Showed why he is.

 

[Spitter9]

this thread is a joke. Was massive in the last 10 mins when hame was there to be won today