Prediction Is now the time for the next captain?

[DeadEyeJye]

With a large chunk of our best players signed long term other than Pearce and Serong it got me thinking, is now the right time to transition into our next captain? Dont get me wrong - once Alex found his feet he has done a fantastic job of leading the squad and I would have no issue with him staying in the position for the remaining 2 year of his current contract, and I hope that he stays on even beyond that. But, I also think that either (or both) Sebba and Andy are ready to shoulder the extra responsibility and really take this team into the next phase of the journey and I think it could be beneficial for that transition to happen sooner rather than later in the view of building their leadership into what we all hope is the ultimate goal. Thoughts?

 

[Purple Jesus]

With a large chunk of our best players signed long term other than Pearce and Serong it got me thinking, is now the right time to transition into our next captain? Dont get me wrong - once Alex found his feet he has done a fantastic job of leading the squad and I would have no issue with him staying in the position for the remaining 2 year of his current contract, and I hope that he stays on even beyond that. But, I also think that either (or both) Sebba and Andy are ready to shoulder the extra responsibility and really take this team into the next phase of the journey and I think it could be beneficial for that transition to happen sooner rather than later in the view of building their leadership into what we all hope is the ultimate goal. Thoughts?

I think yes. I'm not fussed who of Andy or Caleb, but I don't think it should be split.

 

[Barnabus]

I think yes. I'm not fussed who of Andy or Caleb, but I don't think it should be split.

I actually think we have one of the very rare situations where it should be split. Brayshaw and Serong are such great leaders with complimentary styles. It helps that they have a great relationship as well. I think the young interstate players would benefit from having that kind of example.

 

[Stevooo3940]

Split or just one of them, im not fussed. The beauty is, we already have the next captain after them sorted. JT is him!

 

[Barnabus]

Split or just one of them, im not fussed. The beauty is, we already have the next captain after them sorted. JT is him!

Split between JT and Vossy surely.

 

[DocT]

I've always wanted Andy or Caleb but for some reason this year there's something in me saying, 'Yeah, nah, leave it alone.' The players will decide.

 

[E Shed]

I've always wanted Andy or Caleb but for some reason this year there's something in me saying, 'Yeah, nah, leave it alone.' The players will decide.

Exactly. The players choose. If internally they think Alex is the man then he is.
Nothing wrong with having an older wise head as leader and just let the younger ones play.
There certainly appears to be excellent spirit and cohesion in the playing group.

 

[purplerunsdeep2]

It's time. Caleb is the man, with VC of brayshaw, JT, Switta

I'm also one who would be comfortable with a 50/50 of Caleb + brayshaw

 

[rgauci]

JOM out of the leadership group, you can’t have borderline best 22 players in the leadership group. Serong captain. Brayshaw vice. I think Pearce will voluntarily step out of the leadership group to focus on getting his body right.

Leadership group:
Serong (C), Brayshaw (VC), Treacy, Cox, Young maybe Switkowski….

 

[s_wd6]

I do think they'll choose this year to move on the captain for other non football reasons, although it probably is the right time in general. Get Serong signed long term and hand over the reins to him. I think he's the better choice over Brayshaw.

 

[DeadEyeJye]

What non football reasons are you alluding to s_wd6 ?

I know the narrative is that the players decide, but I think the reality would be that there are discussions around it prior to vote time, and I believe the footy department has plenty of influence on it.

 

[s_wd6]

What non football reasons are you alluding to s_wd6 ?

I know the narrative is that the players decide, but I think the reality would be that there are discussions around it prior to vote time, and I believe the footy department has plenty of influence on it.

You don’t think the club would prefer a captain that’s less out spoken politically?

 

[DeadEyeJye]

Ah yep, gotcha. I hadn't considered that side of things but being as conservative as we are, your probably right.

 

[yakamoto]

No.

 

[malpaso]

Serong or JT for me but we are outside looking in.

However I have no qualms with Pearce retaining it. He has led by example on more than a few occasions and obviously gets the votes for a reason.

 

[freodog]

No urgent need for change but if the coaches/players want a change I'm ok with that too.

[PLAYERCARD]Alex Pearce[/PLAYERCARD] has grown into the leadership. If he holds on to it one more year there may be a clear successor.

Either Brayshaw or Serong would do a great job and could easily be co-captains. Treacy is looming and could beat both of them if it was next year.

 

[gaskin]

It is voted on by the players so if the players feel like a change is not needed then no. If they do feel like one is needed then yes.

Those of us on the outside can have a view on it but ultimately we know next to sweet **** all that goes on behind the scenes and even on the field since we are not privy to player communication.

 

[Jezzitizle]

When Pearce first took it on, he tried to do too much and it affected his form.

Feel like Andy and Caleb would go through the same if they took it on now, and we need them to have strong seasons.

There is no benefit from changing captains to our performance, and potential downside.

No change for me this year.

 

[2big2strom]

You don’t think the club would prefer a captain that’s less out spoken politically?

considering both our player voted team captains are as outspoken as each other, I'd say the club has no problem with it. if they were to encourage a move now based on the outspokenness, that would be political

 

[s_wd6]

considering both our player voted team captains are as outspoken as each other, I'd say the club has no problem with it. if they were to encourage a move now based on the outspokenness, that would be political

Yeah but if you have in one hand a captain who upsets a group of people and is towards the end of his career and in the other hand you have a 24 year old who’s won your last 3 bnfs who will eventually be captain anyway and keeps everyone happy then the choice seems easy doesn’t it?

All three of those guys are unanimously voted by the group each year anyway, so it’s not like any choice would be overruling the players. Objectively it just presents as a good time to transition doesn’t it?

At the end of the day I don’t really care who’s captain because it’s really something we have zero idea about as fans. I’d love for Moose to stay on personally. I’m just making observations

 

[yakamoto]

What group of people is unhappy with Pearce as a person and hence unhappy with him being captain?

 

[s_wd6]

What group of people is unhappy with Pearce as a person and hence unhappy with him being captain?

Not worth discussing on here.

Didn’t mean to derail the thread. But basically now is as good a time as ever if they wanted to transition.

 

[DeadEyeJye]

When Pearce first took it on, he tried to do too much and it affected his form.

Feel like Andy and Caleb would go through the same if they took it on now, and we need them to have strong seasons.

There is no benefit from changing captains to our performance, and potential downside.

No change for me this year.

So you think that change would be better to happen in 1 or 2 years time? Id say 2 years would be an awful time, 1 because I dont like the image of the Captain leaving for another side (if in fact there is any truth to that) and 2, because I think 2 years time is closer to us genuinely having a crack at a flag than next year.

 

[DeadEyeJye]

It is voted on by the players so if the players feel like a change is not needed then no. If they do feel like one is needed then yes.

Those of us on the outside can have a view on it but ultimately we know next to sweet **** all that goes on behind the scenes and even on the field since we are not privy to player communication.

Is the entire premise of Big Footy not to discuss things that are entirely out of our control? If not, I apologise for the thread.

Also, as Ive said, my opinion is that the footy department has far more sway into the captain selection process than they say they do, but as you say - I know sweet **** all.

 

[Big Animal]

not at this time. unncessary destabilisation only for the benefit of bored fans and media. But, Caleb is next up.