Nathan van Captain

[Allefgib]

I think you're missing the point. Look I agree with most, I'd prefer someone like a Thommo as captain. But what we think is irrelevant - you will find taht either VB or Rutten WILL be captain - more than likely VB.

 

[macca23]

Well your definition of " a walk up start" is different to mine. I would have thought that if a persons position in the team had to be debated the he isn't a walk up start.

You don't KNOW that VB isn't a walk-up start. You do not KNOW that. You're taking other people's words or opinions on that..

On the contrary, he is always picked when he's available.

I'm talking reality, you're talking opinion.

As for the captain being in the top 5 players - bullshit.

When Nick Maxwell was appointed captain of Collingwood, the negative nellies were everywhere. He was barely a regular player and had been dropped on occasions. He wouldn't have been in their top 15 or 16.

However, those in charge do know best, as he has not only proven to be an outstanding captain, but his game has grown enormously since given the responsibility.

FFS have your opinion on who you'd like to be captain, but let's stop this negative bullshit against one of our own players, who is not only a regular player but a quality person.

 

[Allefgib]

Macca23 - wasn't it the coaching staff, not players, that nominated Maxwell for the job at collingwood?

Very different to Adelaide really - whether that's a good or bad thing I'm not sure.

 

[macca23]

Macca23 - wasn't it the coaching staff, not players, that nominated Maxwell for the job at collingwood?

Very different to Adelaide really - whether that's a good or bad thing I'm not sure.

I think you're right, but in the end it's somewhat similar in that the coaching staff have to approve the players selection.

One thing I'm sure of is that whoever is going to be the captain, he will be a good captain, given our past history of only very good captains, and no duds.

 

[Allefgib]

Agreed - I'd prefer a great captain though. Rather than having with a 'good' one.

 

[Glenno23]

Agreed - I'd prefer a great captain though. Rather than having with a 'good' one.

Sadly, we seem to be lacking a "great" option

Just a few good ones around

Thommo would be my choice. It just makes sense as he has 4 years or so left, Danger will be mid 20's and would have hopefully developed his game to gun status to take over.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

As for the captain being in the top 5 players - bullshit.

When Nick Maxwell was appointed captain of Collingwood, the negative nellies were everywhere. He was barely a regular player and had been dropped on occasions. He wouldn't have been in their top 15 or 16.

However, those in charge do know best, as he has not only proven to be an outstanding captain, but his game has grown enormously since given the responsibility.

This is all true but the question to ask was after the 2007 season whether Collingwood had a top five player in the mix to be captain who was beaten out for the role. Didak, Shaw and Swan both had significant off field dramas so weren't considered. Pendlebury, Thomas too young. Guys like O'Bree, Lockyer, Presti, Fraser, Johnson, Davis no way.

Yes Maxwell was plucked from relative obscurity for the role and has done well but was there a Scott Thompson equivalent who is an on field leader, comfortably a top five player (probably top one), is durable and basically plays every week, is well respected as a player throughout the league and is in the right age group?

He's had some off field problems before but these are a fading memory now surely and were pretty feeble anyway compared to a lot of the goings on at other clubs.

 

[macca23]

This is all true but the question to ask was after the 2007 season whether Collingwood had a top five player in the mix to be captain who was beaten out for the role. Didak, Shaw and Swan both had significant off field dramas so weren't considered. Pendlebury, Thomas too young. Guys like O'Bree, Lockyer, Presti, Fraser, Johnson, Davis no way.

Yes Maxwell was plucked from relative obscurity for the role and has done well but was there a Scott Thompson equivalent who is an on field leader, comfortably a top five player (probably top one), is durable and basically plays every week, is well respected as a player throughout the league and is in the right age group?

He's had some off field problems before but these are a fading memory now surely and were pretty feeble anyway compared to a lot of the goings on at other clubs.

I can't answer that Carl. Perhaps someone who folows Collingwood could.

But I do know that it was a shock to the footy world in general that a player whose match stats at the time were often in single digits was made captain of Collingwood, who boasted a champion in Buckley as their captain before Maxwell.

Ironically Maxwell has developed in his role to the point that I see him as a better leader than Buckley actually was.

Just on Thompson, I'd be quite happy for him to be made captain. The man is a gun and sets a great example on the field, whether he's captain or not..

Is he regarded as having better overall leadership qualities than VB?? We'll find out when the players vote on it.

 

[Southerntakeover]

As opposed to those who ignore any evidence that contradicts their own beliefs.

Significant difference between ignoring and wanting verification, although im not suprised that its lost on this board.

 

[FR0GGY]

I dont think VB leadership qualities have ever been in doubt its just the game day stuff and whether his off field leadership is enough to make him captain.

 

[Macjoe]

I understnd that when the players vote for Captain they do so openly, in front of the whole playing group (and I guess the coaches), explaining their choice. Not a system I like, but the one we are stuck with.

In that case VB's Brisbane game would remain in the heads of players, not so much for the fantastic pressure goal, but for the way he ran out the last quarter, when there was very little bench rest - VB was the leading possession getter in that quarter.

The players, when thinking of that quarter, would remember the endless, grinding laps that the sore-backed VB did in the pre-season - hour after hour of them - that meant when the going was tough when Adelaide were down to 20 men at a hot Gabba, VB stood up.

They know he can handle the other stuff a Captain does off-field, but it would be his dedication to finding the last possible edge of fitness in case it's needed that they will vote for.

 

[Allefgib]

Macjoe - I think we all respect VB's ability to push his body, and have the natural tank, to be running at the end of the game when others aren't.

I think we might find with all the oldies moving on a slightly different mindset with some of the players voting. I could be very very wrong, but geez I hope they start to respect guys who can wil themselves to get their hands on the ball on a consistent basis and will themselves to have an ongoing offensive impact on the game. Surely that's just as important, if not more so, than the ability to run for longer than everyone else?

I went to numerous pre-season training sessions and recall VB doing his laps, his knee lift, sideways ladder runs to get fit.

I also remember, and hope the players do as well, the grunt work Thommo was putting in on his own with an assistant or trainer constantly doing low ball work drills as well as his own laps. Grimacing in pain alot of the time too I might add.

 

[Crow-mo]

Well your definition of " a walk up start" is different to mine. I would have thought that if a persons position in the team had to be debated the he isn't a walk up start.

your definition is different to mine too.

if a player has NEVER been dropped, there isn't much debate.

 

[Crow-mo]

As opposed to those who ignore any evidence that contradicts their own beliefs.

have you provided any?

 

[BunjiMac]

I think if Thommo wins the gold jacket, he will get the nod and votes for captaincy.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

I think if Thommo wins the gold jacket, he will get the nod and votes for captaincy.

How on earth did you come to that conclusion?

getting votes in the B&F doesn't equal gaining respect from your peers as a leader. I don't know either way but just because hes out best player, doesn't mean hes our best leader. The player may not want to be lead by him....that's the factor.

 

[BunjiMac]

I just think it gives those who aren't sure an easy option to vote for. We have a lot of young players in the side who have no idea what they want let alone how they want to be led. If thommo won the b&f he would be the default choice for these guys, IMHO.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

I just think it gives those who aren't sure an easy option to vote for. We have a lot of young players in the side who have no idea what they want let alone how they want to be led. If thommo won the b&f he would be the default choice for these guys, IMHO.

Yeah i understand what your saying but don't sell the club or the players short. They get the young kids knowledge and understanding of what to expect in a leader up to shape at a pretty quick rate with crusher camps and leadership seminars and different programs.

If Scott Thompson is to become the next captain of the Adelaide Football Club, it will be because he is the best leader, not because he won it by default.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

I hope we have our player vote on the leadership group as early as possible. After trade week would suffice even though the new draftees wouldn't have arrived yet. What would they know anyway?

I'd hate us to leave it until February. I would like our leaders chosen while our examples of on field leadership are fresh in everyone's minds

I don't want us to wait until the end of February after four months of the Brett Burtons of this world dominating the preseason and then to make the choice. Too much chance of a track hero worming his way into the leadership group by default without the playing cred to back it up.

(This is not a stab at VB by the way, I am happy with him as captain)

 

[Slippery Pete]

(This is not a stab at VB by the way, I am happy with him as captain)

I'm right behind Nathan too.

As the old saying goes, you have to be 100% behind someone to stab them in the back.