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

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Yep.

Carey and Corey the raw big man talent and inspirational contested marks and, with Longmire, long goals.
Allison, Bell, Harvey and Grant provided the enthusiasm and zing.
Stevo, Arch, Martyn, Pikey the toughness and competitive spirit.
Blakey, Simpson the off field (and on field) consistency.
Roberts and Scott the renewed consistency at a new home.
Carey and King the 'in your face' lip.

You also look at the 'who's who' of this mob in terms of post-playing career, with the likes of Simpson, Blakey, Crocker, Grant, Allison in successful coaching roles. Carey and King in the media. Stevo and Arch in player management. Leadership talent all beyond the playing field.
By what you have just said, posters potting Swallow may be just a tad harsh when he is coming back from serious injury, our two match winners (Harvey and Wells) are either not the most physical or uninjured types, and he is leading a young midfield that is inconsistent and playing under the now questionable direction of a stubborn coach. Swallow wears the captain's badge and unfortunately, he is somehow the face of the inconsistency and disappointment that has marred the team for the past two seasons...
 

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Event Horizon

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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.
 
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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.
 
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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.
 
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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. :thumbsu:
 

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tazaa

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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
 
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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
 

LB2Snake

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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.
 

kelman

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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.
 
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