shintemaster
Brownlow Medallist
You pretty much said exactly what I was going to say in about as short a way as possible. In simple terms 2 main components (yes there are a host of other tangible and intangible things - many of which we never see) are required to be a leader:You can’t lead if you cant play. That’s been our problem for quite a while. Those in the leadership group can’t actually play the game in a fashion that earns the respect of their team mates.
- Good, consistent high performing football
- Ability to lead / inspire / drag other players into line
Very tough to do much of the latter when your hands are full even remotely breaking even on the former. You can be the best leader in the world but it won't help you much if your playing ability due to injury, age, form or whatever means that you are going 100% even trying to positively impact the side. It swings both ways obviously. I think JZ leads from the front, always has. Represents the club well off field and keeps his nose clean but it's tough to inspire when you're approaching the end in team that can't help cover some of your weaknesses.
Next month or so will be interesting in JZ's absence, curious to see who gets tapped on the shoulder. Jy was very much seen as heir apparent for mine however he has his hands full arguably trying to carry - rightly or wrongly - a young midfield. I'd rather he just gets back to doing his core job at the moment.
I said at the start of the year that it was the most embarrassing leadership group (outside of McDonald & Simpkin) I think I've ever seen. You have two players in there who struggle to get 10 possessions a game let alone actually having an impact. You have a key defender (Corr) who only likes to play as a loose defender and you have Larkey who is lacking a fair bit of maturity.
To be a good leader, you actually have to have influence on field. That's the number 1 thing imo. All the best captains make their teammates walk taller, through their actions on field.
Nothing, absolutely nothing. We gutted the list of maturity and let guys like Tarrant & Dumont go for nothing.
The void of leadership at all levels has been prevalent since we sacked Boomer, Spud, Petrie ect.
Absolutely. You don't have to be in the top 2-3 players to be captain - you do have to be rock solid in your role though and able to deliver that core football at a strong level without pressure to maintain your spot. Otherwise the pressure builds (much of it in the players own mind IMO).
Agree we got rid of too much fit maturity. Not saying all or any of these guys were the "solution" long term but IMO there were too many of them cut too quickly. Dumont is a good example, even Pittard for mine who played heart on sleeve, was willing to take it on whether he copped hits or not. Those are the types you need whilst the s**t is hitting the fan.