Next AFC Captain???

[Vader]

I would be VERY surprised if Goodwin is NOT Captain in 2008.

When you consider that he has effectively carried this burden in 2007, and done so with aplomb, why would they not make it official for 2008?

It is also worth considering that while Rutten was a member of the leadership group in 2006, NONE of the rising youngsters were a member of the group in 2007.

In 2007, Roo was elected Captain, with a fleet of 29+ year old veterans as deputies.

In 2008, Goodwin will be Captain, but at least HALF of the deputies will come from that younger age bracket - VB, Thompson, Rutten and possibly Reilly.

None of these players are ready for the responsibility of Captaincy yet - but I would not be surprised if one of them is elected Captain in 2009 (with Goodwin hopefully providing support).

 

[Mad Dog]

Some excellent points raised especially by DT regarding Goody and how long he might be in the job.

Goody is the natural choice and from the point of stability - that was also my call.

But after having read everyone's thoughts - perhaps it is time to move on.....

I must say also that all this voting and empowerment is starting to wear a little thin..........I agree that Craigy / Club should be giving the playing group clear direction in terms of where they see the Captaincy going.

I'm now starting to think it might be time for Rutten - to a lesser extent Thommo. It definately needs to be a firmly entrenched player.

The great thing about McDermott, Bickley, and Ricciuto was that their eras were defined by their captaincy......I think a caretaker captain wouldn't do the Club or Goody the justice they deserve.

 

[Southerntakeover]

So if Neil Craig went to the players with a suggestion that they elect someone to potentially be captain for the next 6 or 7 year Simon Goodwin would still get the nod?

I agree that Simon Goodwin will be the next captain but what I am saying is that Neil Craig has influence on how that player is selected, just like how the player came about implementing the curfew

I think doing that would go against Craigy's philosophy of empowering the players. Given that every player asked has endorsed Goody, i dont see why Craigy would seek to overrule them, given that demonstrates who they view as their on field leader.

I dont agree that we need our next captain to go for 6 or 7 years either.

 

[maccas_no1]

I would be VERY surprised if Goodwin is NOT Captain in 2008.

When you consider that he has effectively carried this burden in 2007, and done so with aplomb, why would they not make it official for 2008?

It is also worth considering that while Rutten was a member of the leadership group in 2006, NONE of the rising youngsters were a member of the group in 2007.

In 2007, Roo was elected Captain, with a fleet of 29+ year old veterans as deputies.

In 2008, Goodwin will be Captain, but at least HALF of the deputies will come from that younger age bracket - VB, Thompson, Rutten and possibly Reilly.

None of these players are ready for the responsibility of Captaincy yet - but I would not be surprised if one of them is elected Captain in 2009 (with Goodwin hopefully providing support).

How can you say that Roo would have only been 25-26 when he took over as captain, Thompson is 25 currently.

 

[Southerntakeover]

How can you say that Roo would have only been 25-26 when he took over as captain, Thompson is 25 currently.

Its not the age. Its where the players are at.

 

[Mitch Power]

Its not the age. Its where the players are at.

From and outsiders point of view, outside of Goodwin, there doesn't appear to be a standout choice particularly for the long term.

Ricciuto has publically endorsed Goodwin and one would think that his endorsement carries some weight at AFC. It would also give other hopefuls an opportunity over the next couple of years to display their leadership skills and stamp their authority at the club.

 

[KUNG FU]

I think it may be a year or two of Goodwin, but I feel uneasy with the gambling incident earlier in the year. I mean, it was far from a shocking scandal but it certainly puts question marks over his judgement.

I was really upset with Thommo's game on the weekend. A lot of horrible decisions and poor kicking. Vintage Thommo. I really don't think he's captaincy material. He doesn't seem to lift the team or do the team things that make a good captain.

I wouldn't be upset with NVB as captain, but I think he's still a little young and a little unproven as a player.

Rutten is still the obvious choice. Champion player. The team lifts around him. Tough as nails. Has leadership experience.

 

[fightingdreamer88]

How can you say that Roo would have only been 25-26 when he took over as captain, Thompson is 25 currently.

Thompson is 24 currently.

 

[coast2coast]

goody has been our on-field captain for quite a while now anyway. and he seems to relish it. why would they effectively sack him from the post?

 

[AJ_No.4]

I personally do not like the idea of having Goodwin as a fill in captain for 1-2 years. Nothing against him and IMO I think he would make a great Captain and has lead my example this year, BUT

Goodwin, Edwards, Bassett & McLeod are all going to be around roughly for the next 2-4 years, so why don't we use this oppurtunity to let a youngster like Thompson, Rutten, Reilly or VB be our next captain. They will then have the support of those 4 senior players to develop their leadership skills whilst these senior blokes are still around.

 

[Jars458]

Whilst I think Simon Goodwin will be given the job for the next couple of years until another stand out candidate emerges, I personally don’t think he should get the job after the gambling affair. Leaders should set the example and this was clearly a case where Simon deliberately broke rules set down by the AFL that go to the integrity of the game as a whole.

If the Club needs a captain for the short term, in my view it should be Nathan Bassett. He is a leader both on and off the field and would project an excellent image for the Club. He is a first choice selection and always gives 100% in every game.

 

[Southerntakeover]

From and outsiders point of view, outside of Goodwin, there doesn't appear to be a standout choice particularly for the long term.

Ricciuto has publically endorsed Goodwin and one would think that his endorsement carries some weight at AFC. It would also give other hopefuls an opportunity over the next couple of years to display their leadership skills and stamp their authority at the club.

I think thats probably a fair analysis.

 

[Jars458]

Marty - I'm with Stiffy on this one - he was responding to relapse who was saying that if we end up with Goodwin et al it would be Craig's fault. Only problem with relapse is that his facts were wrong. Facts are different to opinions.
Fact - It is that it is the players themselves that vote on the Leadership group and ultimately the captain. The coaching staff is not involved at all in the actual voting process.
.

Only because they chose not to be. Craig has given the players this power. Therefore doesn't Craig ultimately bear responsibility for the effect of his own policy?

I think the criticisim of Stiffy in this case was more the way he went about responding to the post, not the contents of it (if that makes sense)

 

[Vader]

I personally do not like the idea of having Goodwin as a fill in captain for 1-2 years. Nothing against him and IMO I think he would make a great Captain and has lead my example this year, BUT

Goodwin, Edwards, Bassett & McLeod are all going to be around roughly for the next 2-4 years, so why don't we use this oppurtunity to let a youngster like Thompson, Rutten, Reilly or VB be our next captain. They will then have the support of those 4 senior players to develop their leadership skills whilst these senior blokes are still around.

I would LOVE to think that these guys will be around for that long, but it ain't going to happen.

As I see it, Edwards is already on the downward spiral - pencil him in for a 2008 retirement. Goodwin & McLeod retiring at the end of 2009. Bassett I'm not so sure about - though if I were a betting man, I'd say end of 2009 as well.

These guys will have all celebrated their 31st birthdays by the end of the year. It is too much to expect them to still be playing beyond the age of 33. It's a bonus if they can, but not something you'd plan your team structure around.

 

[Power King]

Goodwin is the hands down choice, however, the only problem which might work against him is his age.

Second in line should be Rutten, but what's with afl teams not giving captaincy to defenders?

Apart from those two, if I were a crows supporter, I wouldn't want anyone else to have it (MAYBE burton, but these guys before him)

 

[noddy]

I like the idea of Thompson, Reilly & VB as our future leaders of the club,

Those three do stand out to me as long term options..

 

[jenny61_99]

I have a problem with Thommo. I think he needs to be focussed on his footy and not have to worry about the external added pressure of captaincy. I have no doubt he'd handle that side of things well, but I think his footy would suffer.

As for VB and Reilly, I think they both have an enourmous amount of learning still to do before they take that role on.

I'm happy with Goody - or even Truck for that matter, taking on the role for several years and see how VB and Reilly develop.