Is Thomas future captaincy material?

[bucksisbest]

I don't think so. Only because of the same reason as Didak will never be, he's a star performer and a gun player but he isn't a leader. He has days down in the dumps like any player but unlike Buckley, he still doesn't lift the team on those days. You need team players, and MM has been very smart with his leadership. Buckley, Clement, Fraser and Lockyer always lead from the front.

Bull********.
Lockyer in particular is no on-field leader.

 

[Tarkyn_24]

Bull********.
Lockyer in particular is no on-field leader.

Again with Lockyer knocking...
Pre 2003, he was a favourite with the fans. Now he's exiled to the hinterland of the Collingwood bandwagon. And interesting to note that you've highlighted Fraser's name as well. Both of these players, along with (in particular) Maxwell, lead from the front and are courageous, throw their body on the line. Thomas is courageous, yes, but lacks the leadership skills of a captain. In no way am I recommending Lockyer as our next captain, but was highlighting how he goes about his football and his ethic to the team. And for your information, I believe either Heath or Maxwell will be our next captain.

 

[bucksisbest]

Again with Lockyer knocking...
Pre 2003, he was a favourite with the fans. Now he's exiled to the hinterland of the Collingwood bandwagon. And interesting to note that you've highlighted Fraser's name as well. Both of these players, along with (in particular) Maxwell, lead from the front and are courageous, throw their body on the line. Thomas is courageous, yes, but lacks the leadership skills of a captain. In no way am I recommending Lockyer as our next captain, but was highlighting how he goes about his football and his ethic to the team. And for your information, I believe either Heath or Maxwell will be our next captain.

There is a reason Lockyer isn't rated anymore by many Pie fans , quite sad really to see the footballer he has now become.
I highlighted Fraser's name because his on-field exploits don't scream that of a leader.
Maxwell is pretty courageous , I just worry about whether he is good enough.
Thomas is 18 so we haven't seen whether he lacks the leadership skills of a captain , our current captain and games record holder as captain wasn't even playing AFL footy at 18 or 19.

 

[Coin_Toss]

Again with Lockyer knocking...
Pre 2003, he was a favourite with the fans.

Yes, back then he was worth something, but since then he has lost some leg speed, due to a knee reconstruction, and he hasn't played near the sort of the football we were accustomed to. He is a depth player nowadays, a young player should force him out of the team sooner or later (preferably sooner). But Malthouse seems to rate him and that won't change much during the course of this season unless his form plummets.

 

[likka]

IMO Thomas will captain the side one day. I love the way he plays the game, hard to believe he is only 18.

Next captain after Bucks will be Clement, not Fraser.

 

[Tarkyn_24]

Yes, back then he was worth something, but since then he has lost some leg speed, due to a knee reconstruction, and he hasn't played near the sort of the football we were accustomed to. He is a depth player nowadays, a young player should force him out of the team sooner or later (preferably sooner). But Malthouse seems to rate him and that won't change much during the course of this season unless his form plummets.

I agree... but I still don't like the way he is always got the blame pinned on him. He averaged 18 disposals and over half a goal a game last year... not bad for a backman.

 

[Coin_Toss]

I agree... but I still don't like the way he is always got the blame pinned on him. He averaged 18 disposals and over half a goal a game last year... not bad for a backman.

He pushed up the ground on a few occasions, we used him as a small marking option (on the forward line) as well. I don't think finding the footy is necessarily his demise, it's his decision making that lets him down. I've seen him pass it to a teammate who's either outnumbered or caught on the hop. He has leadership qualities off the field, but that's where it stops.

 

[Tarkyn_24]

Generally that team mate was Buckley or Taz. I think that was Lockyer's downfall. Instead of looking to a free young player, he always went for Taz or Bucks in two on one situations.

 

[ant22]

I don't think so. Only because of the same reason as Didak will never be, he's a star performer and a gun player but he isn't a leader. He has days down in the dumps like any player but unlike Buckley, he still doesn't lift the team on those days. You need team players, and MM has been very smart with his leadership. Buckley, Clement, Fraser and Lockyer always lead from the front.

He was 18 last year and played his first season of footy, of course he had bad days and of course he didn't lift his side when he had bad days. Being a star player and gun performer is a very poor reason as to why he isnt a leader. I am not saying he is or he isnt the fact is that its too early to tell.

 

[__DaVE]

he has all the qualities a captain must attain so in my eyes he is captaincy material but he has so many to compete with so he won't become captain i think. it's a promising sign to see we have so many young players who are capable to captain in the future

 

[Tarkyn_24]

I'm with you there. I think Maxwell, a courageous player and team motivator, might just be a bit too strong for Dale to overcome. I'd be looking at Swan and Heath as well. I'm interested to see how much of a leader Pendles will be this year. Like to see Rusling shoulder the load too.

 

[loki04]

I'm with you there. I think Maxwell, a courageous player and team motivator, might just be a bit too strong for Dale to overcome. I'd be looking at Swan and Heath as well. I'm interested to see how much of a leader Pendles will be this year. Like to see Rusling shoulder the load too.

Maxwell is no where near a good enough player to captain a team.

 

[Tarkyn_24]

I think Maxwell, Kerr and Schnider are probably the three most underrated players in the league. Maxwell does a job, week in, week out on a player, he's not afraid to duck into a contest, and leads by example. Isn't that what we should be looking for in a leader?

 

[nick_savo]

I agree with Dave The Man, Heath Shaw has shown to be more likely do be captain than Dale Thomas but you never no, i would personally like either of them to be captain but not for at least 4-5 years.

 

[borgy]

I agree with Dave The Man, Heath Shaw has shown to be more likely do be captain than Dale Thomas but you never no, i would personally like either of them to be captain but not for at least 4-5 years.

Who would be captain in the meantime? Buckley will retire at the end of the season and Clement doesnt have much longer at the top level. They are your two on field leaders that are comming to the end.

 

[Tarkyn_24]

Lockyer joking

 

[nick_savo]

Who would be captain in the meantime? Buckley will retire at the end of the season and Clement doesnt have much longer at the top level. They are your two on field leaders that are comming to the end.

i wouldn't mind seeing Fraser captain, you never no it could be anyone

 

[Jabso]

Players who would be good captains.

Clement
Fraser
H.Shaw

Players who could be captains if they improved some areas off and onfield

Maxwell (if he was a more dynamic player)
Johnson (if he could stop off-field incidents, not saying that he is a serial offender but even in 2008 if we make him captain it'd still be on peoples minds)
Didak (if he wasn't so flairy and sometimes dirty)
R.Shaw (see Maxwell)
T.Cloke (if he was more agressive)

While we lack players who we can make captain at the drop of the hat we have a good group of young leaders. I would mention Burns, Lica, Rocca as potential captains but their time has passed. Clement is different because, although it's speculation I think he has at least 3 more years of good footy in him where these 3 may drop off significantly. I haven't written of the 2nd year players (Thomas, Pendlebury an co.) but it's rediculous to speculate if they could be captains.

 

[nick_savo]

I would love to see Jimmy Clement captain but i think by the time Buckley wants to give it up Clement will be too old