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Future Captain

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At the end of 06 the overwhelming consensus on here was that Chappy should be captain. In the end it didn't happen and IIRC he's even stepped down from the leadership group. Would still be my first choice but with his age and injury concerns I can't see it happening. Added to that, we're hardly going to lose his onfield leadership if we don't put a (c) next to his name.

Which leaves basically one option - Ling. It's harsh but every time I see Gazza talking in the media his media training shines through so much I cringe. He's obviously not a natural at that sort of stuff and I think that was one of the most important things Harley brought to the role. Jimmy has improved immensely and is more 'honest' in the media but the same criticism applies. Lingy obviously has the goofy thing going with Before The Game/Footy Show and I saw that as a tick against him for the captaincy, but his interview with Andy Maher after the Hawthorn game when he talked about Beyond Blue suggested that he ccan drop the clown facade when he wants.
 
Let me preface this by saying all this talk about handing Gaz the captaincy to avoid losing him to the GC, by virtue of his superstar status, or because we "owe" him/the Ablett clan for their services to the club (this last statement may have appeared in a separate captaincy-related thread) is all crap.

For once we have a healthy list of genuine captaincy candidates to choose from, and people are inclined to hand over the captaincy as a thank-you gift or out of sheer romanticism? Or as a means to coax a player to stay with the club? If the reason (or any reason, for that matter) the captain of my football club had to be convinced to stay at the club was for any other reason than loyalty, love, and genuine 'want' to play for the club, then that's just crap.

And I certainly don't subscribe to the school of thought that suggests we hand it over to our 'best player'. Granted, Gaz can turn a game on its head like few in the club (let alone the league) can. But as inspirational as that may be to some, there is just still far too many other things that hardly scream leader to me. There's the body language which still needs work, the need to cut down on constantly complaining/whining to the umps (however justified it may be), the tendency to stay on the ground for far too long; Gaz still has ways and means to go before I can rubber-stamp his on-field leadership credentials. And that's not even before we consider his off-field work (which, like many at the club, still requires work too). So whilst Gaz (and clearly, a few here) may think he's ready, I think there is still significant questioning over where he's capable to begin with.

I've found recent statements made on Selwood interesting too. There are many good judges (from within the club as well as externally), who consider Selwood to have the on-field aspects down pat (which is all the more remarkable when you consider his age and experience, but that's another topic). Yet each of these complimentary observations seem to always be concluded with remarks regarding his off-field work. Not so much that he's not shown himself capable (I think he's been fine from his limited exposure), but more that it may be a personal opinion of Joel himself that he's just not ready to handle the heavy media commitments. So perhaps the issue with Selwood is not so much of whether he's capable, but rather whether he's ready.

An interesting contrast to Gaz.
 
I agree with last two posters

Gaz'soff-field stuff is not great, he's not a natural at it (not many of us are). Neither is Jimmy. Also Chappy seems to want to concentrate on just getting on the field. Ling is the one that can manage both, and I think he can be both serious and fun as required. Selwood definitley eventually, but I don't see the need to rush him into this. He's in the leadership group in his third year and that's enough for now.
 
GeeCat said:
If the reason (or any reason, for that matter) the captain of my football club had to be convinced to stay at the club was for any other reason than loyalty, love, and genuine 'want' to play for the club, then that's just crap.
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This x 1000.

Assuming they fit the off-field 'requirements' of an AFL captain, I don't care who the next captain is as long as they meet criteria like this.

Great post, GeeCat. :thumbsu:
 
Ablett as Captain could complete him, like Judd,right age, experience, and could make him even more team orientated .He has to be the #1 player to keep, MVP by players and coaches every year, can't believe some saying let him go. I think co-captains could work now, we have lots of natural leaders including Selwood, Mackie, Chappy and Enright. Isn't Ablett already everybody's supercoach captain??
 

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VEEDUBS said:
Ablett as Captain could complete him, like Judd,right age, experience, and could make him even more team orientated .He has to be the #1 player to keep, MVP by players and coaches every year, can't believe some saying let him go. I think co-captains could work now, we have lots of natural leaders including Selwood, Mackie, Chappy and Enright. Isn't Ablett already everybody's supercoach captain??
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The difference between Ablett and Judd is the natural leadership skills they both exhibited though. While there may have been an element of player status/ability behind Judd's appointment as Carlton captain, the relevant people will still tell you about the influence he had the moment he stepped into that club - setting standards on and off the track, mentoring younger teammates on and off the field. Don't forget that Judd was appointed vice-captain for WCE at an earlier age than Selwood is now too. I would certainly suggest that Judd has characteristics of being a natural-born leader. Can the same be said for Gaz at this stage?

And no one is calling for Gaz to be "let go". The argument isn't on his playing ability, it's focused on the fact that you don't appoint captains by virtue of their individual achievements and accolades, nor to simply appease them.
 
GeeCat said:
Let me preface this by saying all this talk about handing Gaz the captaincy to avoid losing him to the GC, by virtue of his superstar status, or because we "owe" him/the Ablett clan for their services to the club (this last statement may have appeared in a separate captaincy-related thread) is all crap.

For once we have a healthy list of genuine captaincy candidates to choose from, and people are inclined to hand over the captaincy as a thank-you gift or out of sheer romanticism? Or as a means to coax a player to stay with the club? If the reason (or any reason, for that matter) the captain of my football club had to be convinced to stay at the club was for any other reason than loyalty, love, and genuine 'want' to play for the club, then that's just crap.

And I certainly don't subscribe to the school of thought that suggests we hand it over to our 'best player'. Granted, Gaz can turn a game on its head like few in the club (let alone the league) can. But as inspirational as that may be to some, there is just still far too many other things that hardly scream leader to me. There's the body language which still needs work, the need to cut down on constantly complaining/whining to the umps (however justified it may be), the tendency to stay on the ground for far too long; Gaz still has ways and means to go before I can rubber-stamp his on-field leadership credentials. And that's not even before we consider his off-field work (which, like many at the club, still requires work too). So whilst Gaz (and clearly, a few here) may think he's ready, I think there is still significant questioning over where he's capable to begin with.

I've found recent statements made on Selwood interesting too. There are many good judges (from within the club as well as externally), who consider Selwood to have the on-field aspects down pat (which is all the more remarkable when you consider his age and experience, but that's another topic). Yet each of these complimentary observations seem to always be concluded with remarks regarding his off-field work. Not so much that he's not shown himself capable (I think he's been fine from his limited exposure), but more that it may be a personal opinion of Joel himself that he's just not ready to handle the heavy media commitments. So perhaps the issue with Selwood is not so much of whether he's capable, but rather whether he's ready.

An interesting contrast to Gaz.
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I think in terms of on field actions, courage, leading by example, inspiration etc that Selwood is the best candidate, but as you say, they may not want to burden him with all the off field stuff at his young age.

There may also be a school of thought that they can reward one of the seniors for their long commitment by making them captain, and Selwood can still be captain in the future as he'll be around for another 10 years.

This being so, you would expect Ling to be our next captain, as he is VC for a reason (Scarlo would also be deserving but I suspect he is too reclusive to want the job).

But mark my word, Selwood will captain Geelong one day :)
 
Id love Jimmy as well, not sure he has enough presence as a captain around the rooms, he definately is a leader / hero on the ground though...seems quite timid and shy may not want the "c"

IN regards to giving it to Ablett or Selwood to entice them to stay, I would be strongly against that. Captains reflect leadership at a club, a burning desire to want the club to succeed with whatever position they hold.

You shouldnt have to use the role as a bargaining chip as part of a package to keep a player if his best interests are potentially to go elsewhere (not that there is anything wrong with leaving for a new oppurtunity like gazza or joel could have up in QLD)
 
As to whether giving a player the captaincy to stop them leaving the club, it certainly didn't stop Leigh Colbert leaving Geelong to go to the Kangaroos:thumbsdown:

Personally, I'd like to see Lingy take over the reins as the captain, he's being doing it well for most of this season anyway, with the absence of Tom through injury. :)
 

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Don't recall seeing him speak much (if at all in the media) but for on field, passionate yet level headed leadership, Joel Corey always comes to mind.
 
I have faith in whoever the club appoints as captain. They know who the right man for the job is more than any of us here. Who honestly would have chose Harley as our captain a few years ago? Not many of us. The club knows who is captain material. We only see what they do on the field, the club see's them behind closed doors, at training etc.
Same goes for Nick Maxwell at Collingwood. Not many would have expected him as the next captain, but the club knew he was the man for the job, and is exceeding expectations.
And FWIW i believe Ling will be the next captain of the Cats..
 
GeeCat said:
Let me preface this by saying all this talk about handing Gaz the captaincy to avoid losing him to the GC, by virtue of his superstar status, or because we "owe" him/the Ablett clan for their services to the club (this last statement may have appeared in a separate captaincy-related thread) is all crap.

For once we have a healthy list of genuine captaincy candidates to choose from, and people are inclined to hand over the captaincy as a thank-you gift or out of sheer romanticism? Or as a means to coax a player to stay with the club? If the reason (or any reason, for that matter) the captain of my football club had to be convinced to stay at the club was for any other reason than loyalty, love, and genuine 'want' to play for the club, then that's just crap.

And I certainly don't subscribe to the school of thought that suggests we hand it over to our 'best player'. Granted, Gaz can turn a game on its head like few in the club (let alone the league) can. But as inspirational as that may be to some, there is just still far too many other things that hardly scream leader to me. There's the body language which still needs work, the need to cut down on constantly complaining/whining to the umps (however justified it may be), the tendency to stay on the ground for far too long; Gaz still has ways and means to go before I can rubber-stamp his on-field leadership credentials. And that's not even before we consider his off-field work (which, like many at the club, still requires work too). So whilst Gaz (and clearly, a few here) may think he's ready, I think there is still significant questioning over where he's capable to begin with.

I've found recent statements made on Selwood interesting too. There are many good judges (from within the club as well as externally), who consider Selwood to have the on-field aspects down pat (which is all the more remarkable when you consider his age and experience, but that's another topic). Yet each of these complimentary observations seem to always be concluded with remarks regarding his off-field work. Not so much that he's not shown himself capable (I think he's been fine from his limited exposure), but more that it may be a personal opinion of Joel himself that he's just not ready to handle the heavy media commitments. So perhaps the issue with Selwood is not so much of whether he's capable, but rather whether he's ready.

An interesting contrast to Gaz.
Click to expand...

That is excellent commentary. I am convinced by your arguments. I'd love the Ginger Ninja as capt. for a couple of years. He handles himself perfectly in any situation.
 
IMO no doubt that next captain will be Ling.

You only need to see a training session to see Gaz wont be the next captain. Great player, but not displaying captaincy material imo.
 
D BRIDGE said:
Ling or Selwood are the only options really.
I would not be against trading Ablett to the GC if we could get pick 1 and another top 5 pick for him.
Click to expand...

If he is out of contract we get NOTHING for him:thumbsdown:

If I were appointing a leader I'd go Maxi...
 

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