Prediction Club Captaincy & Leadership Group 2026 Discussion/Predictions

[RustyShacklefordFalcon]

Yep, the 2025 season well and truly kicked us in the nads. There were many facets and contributors to our disappointing campaign this year, but there was one glaringly obvious issue. Our leadership...or lack thereof.

Oscar Allen

4

Oscar Allen

Age

26

Ht

196cm

Wt

96kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.8

2star

K

6.6

3star

HB

3.2

3star

M

3.8

4star

T

2.4

4star

G

1.1

4star

No current season stats available

D

8.6

3star

K

5.8

3star

HB

2.8

3star

M

3.8

4star

T

2.0

4star

G

1.2

4star

got caught doing the dirty over a slice of pizza with Sammy "The Snake" Mitchell midway through the year and is now out the door on his way to the Brisbane Lions, and Liam Duggan

14

Liam Duggan

Age

29

Ht

186cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.4

4star

K

10.1

4star

HB

5.3

4star

M

4.4

4star

T

2.1

4star

MG

283.7

4star

D

16.0

4star

K

12.0

5star

HB

4.0

3star

M

5.7

5star

T

1.1

2star

MG

283.7

4star

D

13.2

4star

K

7.8

3star

HB

5.4

4star

M

4.0

4star

T

1.2

3star

(despite being a wonderful clubman and honest trier) was just not cutting it as the sole leader of our largely green and inexperienced cohort.

I thought I'd start this thread so we can discuss and debate the ins & outs of our leadership going into the 2026 season. There is much to discuss;

• Captain or co-captains?
• Who gets the C?
• Who deserves to be promoted to the leadership group?
• Do we lean towards experience for the now, youth with an eye to the future or a healthy mix of both?
• How much longer can we all debate the matter before we just do the obvious thing and give the C to Matt Owies?

For what its worth, I'm not 100% sure who I would pick just yet. I do know however, that the leadership group should probably comprise of the following;

Seniors -

• Liam Baker
• Jake Waterman
• Jack Graham
• Liam Duggan (to a lesser extent, your spot in the 22 needs to be rock solid)

Yoof -

• Reuben Ginbey
• Harley Reid (is he ready to take that next step?)
• Brady Hough

And finally some left-field suggestions (leadership group only) -

• Tom McCarthy
• Elliot Yeo (needs to stay on the park)
• Matt Flynn (probably not, but I see leadership qualities in him)
• Harry Edwards (to replace Gov as the big, angry general down back. also needs to stay on the park)
• Lachie Neale? (too early? the answer is yes.)

Have at it gang, lets hear your thoughts...

 

[Bleedblueandgold]

Captain: Baker
VC: Duggan, Waterman, Ginbey, Hough, Reid

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Absolutely get rid of co-captains.

 

[RustyShacklefordFalcon]

Absolutely get rid of co-captains.

No arguments from me there

 

[RustyShacklefordFalcon]

Captain: Baker
VC: Duggan, Waterman, Ginbey, Hough, Reid

I like that mix.

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

Duggan is popular internally (is it three Mainy Medals now?) and ditched the mullet so is the clean cut, well-spoken handsome face of the club.

Can't see him being rolled if he still wants to be captain. I'd like him to gracefully stand aside for Baker though. Duggan and Waterman vice captains.

 

[RustyShacklefordFalcon]

Duggan is popular internally (is it three Mainy Medals now?) and ditched the mullet so is the clean cut, well-spoken handsome face of the club.

Can't see him being rolled if he still wants to be captain. I'd like him to gracefully stand aside for Baker though. Duggan and Waterman vice captains.

Duggo is a delicate situation, in that I think most of us here would agree that Baker is the better option. Do the players feel that way too? If so, how is that handled? I think like you said, he would have to gracefully step aside. He is not a man lacking in character, so perhaps we see that happen. I don't see his spot in the best 23 cemented anymore, and we have youngsters that play his role and need exposure.

 

[TY24]

C: Baker
VC: Waterman
LG: Ginbey, Duggan, Yeo, Graham (although if he were to lose his LG spot due to his slurring suspension, I wouldn't argue with it)

 

[KERRPOW]

Absolutely get rid of co-captains.

 

[KERRPOW]

C: Baker
VC: Waterman
LG: Ginbey, Duggan, Hough

 

[squashface]

C: Baker
VC: Waterman, Duggan
Leadership group: Ginbey, Hough, H.Reid

 

[Bender_]

Co-captain is just Swahili for cuck.

 

[Matele]

Captain: Baker
VC: Duggan, Waterman, Ginbey, Hough, Reid

/Thread

 

[bombard]

Co-captain is just Swahili for cuck.

Bender is Swahili for cuck from wish

 

[Bender_]

Bender is Swahili for cuck from wish

You can't speak Swahili.

 

[Pwani Magharibi]

You can't speak Swahili.

Bendera is Swahili for flag or banner. True story.

I'd say ujinga (stupidity) is Swahili for co-captains.

Liam Baker should be captain next season. Not too many years down the track I'd see Ginbey as his successor.

 

[Barrybran]

I'd like to keep Harley out of the LG for another season. Let him focus on himself.

 

[royalsfan]

I don’t think Baker has the ‘look’ to be Captain whereas Duggan has the clean cut look which says ‘captain’. I also think Graham does not deserve a place in the leadership group after his suspension last year.
For me - Duggan for Captain
Waterman -VC
Leadership group - Baker, Reuben, Hough, Yeoy and perhaps Harley

 

[WCErevival]

Would Duggan go back to VC or just leave the leadership group altogether? Has a captain ever been demoted like that?

 

[Notmuchofanexpert]

Cap - Waterman
VC - Baker
LG - Duggo, Yeo, Reubs, Hough

If Ryan leaves are Snake and Yeo our only current players with an AA jacket?

 

[RustyShacklefordFalcon]

I'd like to keep Harley out of the LG for another season. Let him focus on himself.

There is definitely merit to this.

 

[Byron_Clanger]

It HAS to be Baker at this point. I'll be bitterly...BITTERLY disappointed if a) They go with co-captains or b) They go back to the barren well that is Duggan.

The whole 'players votes' thing is a farce.

 

[Byron_Clanger]

I'd like to keep Harley out of the LG for another season. Let him focus on himself.

Harley shouldn't be anywhere near a leadership group. If he matures in two years time and re-signs past this next contract then maybe make him a Vice.

I say two years time because you can bet your ass Harley's camp and Vic teams are gonna sniff around him with a year left on his deal like they did this year.

 

[stallon]

C: Duggan
VC: Baker, Waterman, Ginbey, Graham

Minimal changes

 

[Doashuey]

I was all about Baker getting the C- until I heard him speak.
His leadership capabilities are unquestionable IMO but he really doesn't present well in front of a camera which is a fairly important part of the job.
Ginbey is definitely the future C and I think he has the ability take on the role now but I would hold fire on that. He has had a break out year and is still discovering himself as a footballer so to have the burden of captaining a young and terrible team could really impact his development.
So despite Baker's bogan persona I think he is the best fit for the next couple of years until we are out of the muck and Ginbey can take over.
Id also throw Hewett in the mix, very articulate, smart and I think he will demand high standards. Again, too young to take it on now but may challenge Ginbey for C in a couple of years. Worth including in the LSG.