King hands in captaincy

[G.F.C]

Steven King abdicates
22 September 2006 Herald-Sun
Scott Gullan

THE first of many changes to sweep through Skilled Stadium has hit, with Steven King resigning as Geelong captain.


After a horrendous battle with injury in the past three years, King told coach Mark Thompson of his intentions to stand down two weeks ago.

It is believed he also addressed the club's leadership group, but has been waiting until the VFL side - which plays Sandringham in the grand final on Sunday - completes its finals campaign before telling all players.

King could not be contacted this week as he is overseas on holiday, while chief executive Brian Cook said last night the club had not been officially told of his intentions to step down.

``Steven King has not made any comment to us about that,'' Cook said.

King took over from Ben Graham in 2003, but the 2000 All-Australian ruckman's reign has been marred by his long-running battle with his body. He played 16 games this season for a career total of 187.

There is no obvious replacement for King, with numerous candidates having already been debated after the Cats' lack of leadership was raised as a major problem in the club's dismal season.

Vice-captains Tom Harley and Cameron Ling are frontrunners, while others mentioned included full-back Matthew Scarlett, Cameron Mooney, Paul Chapman and even Gary Ablett.

King, 27, hinted during the season that he would relinquish the skipper's role if his body did not stand up.

``I pretty much sat down at the halfway mark this year and thought, `There are 10 games to go. If I can just finish the year strongly, worry about getting through that stage, then that will answer a lot of questions not only for myself, but for everyone','' King said in July.

He admitted he had almost quit the job at the start of the season, but was urged to continue after a player vote.

``The playing group chose me to be captain,'' he said.

``I made it clear that at no stage did I want to be captain again for the sake of my own personal honour.''

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,20456347%255E19742,00.html

 

[thegerman]

Long live the King, great player for the Cats, just unfortunate he can't lead with the amount of injuries his body has had.

Let's hope he can continue and play a vital role for us next year, and that his body holds up.

Now give us someone who is/can play the full season. Chappy for me.

 

[ablettallica]

Thanks for your efforts Kingy, but your time had come.

Hopefully the change in leadership spurs the club on.

Chapman for Captain. Go Chappy.

 

[kriso182]

Vice-captains Tom Harley and Cameron Ling are frontrunners,

Please not Ling!!!!!!

 

[Seb]

If the club's review was fair dinkem, Cameron Ling would not be Captain of the GFC.

I cannot entrust the responsibility of appointing a new captain to Thompson. It would be Harley/Ling, both of whom i feel could not fulfill the role.

I've said since Mooney has had too many indiscretions, Chapman would be my first-choice Captain with Gary Ablett vice.

Scarlett, Corey, Harley etc shouldn't have to be 'Vice Captains'.

Keep it simple.

 

[Dont you hate pants?]

It was only a matter of time, as a leader you need to be out where it matters, on the field where he wasn't, and also act as the face of the club, also what he wasn't. During the year when we were in the middle of that horrible run of lost games king was no where to be seen i.e fronting the media and the job was left to the others in the leadership group. Now I hope that without the responsiblities of been captain, that he can focus on getting back to where he was before he was cruely cut down by injuries and be once again one of the leagues premier ruckmen. We need someone that commands the respect the other players and who would follow them into the deep pits of hell....the only obvious choices for me are chappy or mooney....yes know he is a loose cannon but maybe the added responsbility of been the captain of the club and not a mere member of the 'leadership' group will bode well for him.

 

[burto]

I'd still love to have the big hairy one as captain.

 

[cats2rise]

I hope he can atleast play 18 games net year, all being QUALITY! I would love to see him step up and show why he was AA back in 2000.

Chappers for Captain 2007

 

[ablettjnr]

Chaptain. Please!

 

[catempire]

Harley is a lock.

 

[Asty]

Harley is a lock.

The only thing I am concerned about with that is that he has had a few injuries the last couple of seasons and do we really want another injury riddled captain?

 

[Unwritten_Law]

I've said since Mooney has had too many indiscretions, Chapman would be my first-choice Captain with Gary Ablett vice.

That would be my choice as well.

If Harley is indeed a "lock" they haven't learned a goddamn thing.

 

[catempire]

If Harley is indeed a "lock" they haven't learned a goddamn thing.

Have they ever done anything to suggest they have learned from their mistakes?

They're about to continue the tenure of a severely underperforming coach, ffs.

 

[thegerman]

Here's my rundown on the Captain hopes:

Harley. I really hope they do not pick Harley, he's a guy that is injured when it counts. Harley is a good player, moreso a great clubman. He would be a fantastic pick if he was fit and in the form he was three years back. His recent spate, although played ok for the rest of the season when back, means that he will be similar to King and a week by week prospect to play.

Ling. Just doesn't fit the bill IMO. His skills have depreciated badly, moreover this highlights his lack of pace which kills us every time we come out of defence. He is given the ball by other players as he has a massive engine, and runs the ground, however this can be a detriment as he just can't kick. We do need him at the club, but he needs to improve his skills to match his great fitness.

Scarlett. IMO, lacks the true skills to be a good captain, to front the media and lead the club on and off the park. He is a fantastic player, love him to bits, but just not up there in media savvy-ness.

Chappy. Is this guy good ?? Unreal IMO. He took on a lot of after game commentary work due to his actions on the ground, he was one of the first players sought out by Christie and other on-field commentators post match. He speaks very clearly, and doesn't seem ruffled by piercing questions about the club/leadership/coach. He is value, and worthy of Captain.

Ablett. Quiet, but starting to come out of his shell. Like his brother, shirked the media responsibility early, who could blame him with the media hounding the ol' man constantly. Would like to see him as a Deputy first, then assess him in say 2 years. A run in the midfield more often may show his true leadership potential.

The MOON. Sometimes you clap and can't understand why the Kangaroos let him go, then you shake your head and put your hands over your face. This is the life of Mooney supporters. I love having him at the club, he is just so passionate and wants to please us all the time. Unfortunately he misguides this emotion onto someone else, leaving us without a player for a couple of weeks. I think Mooney into a VC spot would suit him, hopefully for the better and giving him a goal in the future in becoming captain of the GFC.

King. Could still be a VC, but why. Just give him time to get on the park, fit and ready to go into battle.

Rooke. Rank outsider, but damn does he know how to lead from the front. Was knocked out playing in a game near the end, came back on as we just didn't have anyone else left. Harley left with a torn hammy, Ling was stuffed, and another was also out. Rooke came back on, dived into everything head first. His tackle count shows how much heart that lad has. Should he be rewarded with a deptuty slot ??? Probably.

I'm in with the idea to have only one Vice and Deputy also. Like Seb above, would love to just see the simple things brought back into the club. We often leave those out, i.e. shepherds.

 

[G.F.C]

No love for Bartel here?

 

[Shell]

I'd still love to have the big hairy one as captain.

Man, so would I, so would I.

I've always been on the Moons bandwagon for him to be captain, but the year he has had hasnt done much for that arugument has it??

I'll be the first to admit when im wrong..

I'd go for Chappy now. He has at least the same amount of passion for this club as Mooney does.

 

[CF]

King has abdicated.........thank god for that. He was once a good ruckman, but he has never been a leader of men. Look at Judd, now that is a Captain. I hope Chapman is given a shot.

 

[Rosella]

King has abdicated.........thank god for that. He was once a good ruckman, but he has never been a leader of men. Look at Judd, now that is a Captain. I hope Chapman is given a shot.

Pick a better example. His strings are pulled by Cousins

 

[PoidaCat]

CHAPMAN!

NANANANA NA NA CHAPMAN!
NANANANA NA NA CHAPMAN!

CHAPMAN FOR CAPTAIN!

 

[Asty]

Pick a better example. His strings are pulled by Cousins

leaders of men:

voss
ricciuto
buckley
cousins (on the field not off it)

They all have strong character and lead not only in speech but by setting an example.

 

[GOT_TO_LIFT]

Chappy. Is this guy good ?? Unreal IMO. He took on a lot of after game commentary work due to his actions on the ground, he was one of the first players sought out by Christie and other on-field commentators post match. He speaks very clearly, and doesn't seem ruffled by piercing questions about the club/leadership/coach. He is value, and worthy of Captain.



Chappy Has My vote

great fella nice guy he is a Leader

nice fella back in 2004 he reply back to a letter i wrote to him

 

[thegerman]

No love for Bartel here?

Sorry, left him out. Along with J Corey. So I forgot a few.

We do have a lot of the same type of inner-thought type guys, except for Mooney and probably Chappy. Corey, (both), Bartel, Ablett are guys that just seem to be there, but not really vocal, nor have that game breaking ability that someone like Judd, Johno, Baz, or even Riewoldt.

Until we find that person, or that person puts up their hand, we will have to just accept who they pick.

 

[Rosella]

leaders of men:

voss
ricciuto
buckley
cousins (on the field not off it)

They all have strong character and lead not only in speech but by setting an example.

Yep, no argument from me. Problem is we don't have anyone that comes close.

 

[YOTC]

He had it in the first place? Sure didn't act like a captain.

 

[shahla_selena]

my choice:
captain: chappy/harley
vice: gaz/mooney

tommy would be great but im just worried about his injuries. we need someone who is going to be a leader ON the field not sitting in the stands with an injury. he is great with the media though, he has the respect of the other players and he is a good leader and influence on the field.

mooney really screwed up his chances with those last few suspensions. i think a bit of responsibility in a vice role though would do him some good, and hopefully he will be captain material in a year or two.

to be honest anyone would be an improvement from king. king - fantastic bloke but NOT a good leader.