Nick Maxwell

[FuManchu]

Just an observation,

But with all this speculation about who the next leader is at the club, Maxwell seems to be the most outgoing, loudest, driven player in the seniors at the moment and what he lacks in skills, he makes up for in application. Just watching him in the players race before the game the other night, proves to me that he is probably their most apparent 'leader in waiting' currently getting a game.

Or am I reading too much into it?

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

According to some "experts" on this board, Maxwells a soft hack and should be the first player we trade.

 

[FuManchu]

According to some "experts" on this board, Maxwells a soft hack and should be the first player we trade.

I wouldnt say soft in any regard, definitely not overly talented or skilled but shows plenty of agates jumping into the path of the big power forwards like Hall.

As I said, he looks to be the most focused and looked like a general the other night marshalling the troops. And given his lack of service at the club, he obviously has some sort of personality that lends itself to leadership. And they dont always appear that easily. I'm not sure Buckley is a natural leader, he has gotten better, but sometimes when you have all the skill in the world, you find it hard accept others not having it. I think that may have been Buckley's problem for a while.

Compare Maxwell's nature to some like Fraser, Fraser just doesnt seem to have that intensity or personality to drag others along with him. Maxwell seems very determined, probably something to do with having to try and match better skilled players all his footballing life.

 

[Optimax]

Would bne happy if he was captain doesnt take a backwards step, not the most talented but is always trying, is vocal on the field, helps the younger guys alot, and is respected by our players more than eneough reason as to why he could be captain.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Agree 100%, especially the last sentence. I reckon he's great and already you can see the respect he gets from younger teammates, like Goldsack landing on his head while attempting to help Maxwell out spoiling.

 

[Hadders]

To be captain you have to be a guarantee to play in years to come.

IMO Maxwell doesn't have that.

With the young players coming up I think Maxwell is starting to be overtaken and may go the way of Jason Cloke in years to come. Harry O'Brien has already gone past him and with young blokes like Goldsack, Cox, Anthony and Reid coming through, I think Maxwell's position could come under scrutiny.

I admire the bloke and love the way he plays his football but just don't think he has the physical attributes ie. pace or height to be a frontline backman which is what he's going to need to be to hold his position in the team.

 

[magpies42]

He is definetly most vocal on game day (in the absence of buckley). he addresses the troops in the huddle before the game. I have said it before and i will say it again, you cant judge maxy's contribution by his stats. He is more then adequate to mark the 3rd tall (he may develop and become one of our prime defenders, unlikely but who knows!!!) but his value is leadership helping his team mates out and doing the tough 1%!! Rebounds well and is versatile!
Like i have said before the collingwood team, especially defense, is a far better team!

 

[Soups]

To be captain you have to be a guarantee to play in years to come.

IMO Maxwell doesn't have that.

With the young players coming up I think Maxwell is starting to be overtaken and may go the way of Jason Cloke in years to come. Harry O'Brien has already gone past him and with young blokes like Goldsack, Cox, Anthony and Reid coming through, I think Maxwell's position could come under scrutiny.

This is exactly what i was thinking about the other day. Maxwell plays pretty much the style that jase played and everyone just over took him. I would hate to see this happen but i don't think we can stop it.

 

[toommy]

To be captain you have to be a guarantee to play in years to come.

IMO Maxwell doesn't have that.

With the young players coming up I think Maxwell is starting to be overtaken and may go the way of Jason Cloke in years to come. Harry O'Brien has already gone past him and with young blokes like Goldsack, Cox, Anthony and Reid coming through, I think Maxwell's position could come under scrutiny.

I admire the bloke and love the way he plays his football but just don't think he has the physical attributes ie. pace or height to be a frontline backman which is what he's going to need to be to hold his position in the team.

you have no idea

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

This is exactly what i was thinking about the other day. Maxwell plays pretty much the style that jase played and everyone just over took him. I would hate to see this happen but i don't think we can stop it.

Maxwell can run, kick, play forward, defend against small forwards, and handball. J Cloke had none of those skills.

Yes he will have competition to get a game against more talented players, but talent is only part of the equation.

 

[Frederlick]

Not a Captain at Pieland but would be suprised if he is gone any time soon. Still young enough to improve his game. A Captain must be 100% relaible week in week out, tick. Must have, at a minimum the capacity to lift a team through courage, tick. Must have the capacity to lift a team through skill, cross. Must be able to contribute to the on field adaptation of the team to the game situation, probably a cross ATM, as is still young and back line role precludes input all over the field. Must have a very attractive off field persona, cross. Maxwell is still too young to be looked on seriously as a Captain because of his style of play and youth. Off field he simply does not have the standing in the game to Captain a Club like Collingwood, which brings huge pressures and committments and exposes the players on field performance to extreme scrutiny. If it does happen, it won't be while Lockyer, Clement, Rocca, Burns or even Swan are still there.

 

[PieLebo87]

To be captain you have to be a guarantee to play in years to come.

IMO Maxwell doesn't have that.

With the young players coming up I think Maxwell is starting to be overtaken and may go the way of Jason Cloke in years to come. Harry O'Brien has already gone past him and with young blokes like Goldsack, Cox, Anthony and Reid coming through, I think Maxwell's position could come under scrutiny.

I admire the bloke and love the way he plays his football but just don't think he has the physical attributes ie. pace or height to be a frontline backman which is what he's going to need to be to hold his position in the team.

You cannot be serious Hadders. I understand your point. But there is a reversal to this theory.

Maxwell can't be placed on the opposition's 6th best forward every week? And then be used as a loose at other times.

Also, there wouldn't be much market value for a Nick Maxwell. But imagine the value of some of the younger players with more flash about them who you are saying would be replacing him in the backline.

I'd rather trade a younger player who conflicts with Maxwell in regards to positions because Maxwell has invaluable traits such as limitless courage and leadership. That isn't noticed outside the club. I'd rather have my captain (Maxwell) leading superbly at a half back flank, focusing on the team then some young star just playing on the 6th best forward because we are overpacked with other talented youngs in that same backline.

 

[PieLebo87]

By the way, the previous thread is meant for a yr or two from now. When the Browns, Goldsacks, Anthonys are in the team with Stanley and co.

Whose to say that being named as captain wont have Maxwell lift his own game and be more of a star for the Magpies? Its obvious, he wont get worse, he thrives on added responsibility as a leader.

 

[Jabso]

Maxwell is our spiritual leader.

 

[magpies42]

By the way, the previous thread is meant for a yr or two from now. When the Browns, Goldsacks, Anthonys are in the team with Stanley and co.

Whose to say that being named as captain wont have Maxwell lift his own game and be more of a star for the Magpies? Its obvious, he wont get worse, he thrives on added responsibility as a leader.

you cant assume that, i think his performances have if anything gone backwards since he became VC. Still one of the first selected tho, deserves his spot

all im saying is that we dont want a vandenberg, shitnall situation

 

[Hadders]

You cannot be serious Hadders. I understand your point. But there is a reversal to this theory.

Maxwell can't be placed on the opposition's 6th best forward every week? And then be used as a loose at other times.

Also, there wouldn't be much market value for a Nick Maxwell. But imagine the value of some of the younger players with more flash about them who you are saying would be replacing him in the backline.

I'd rather trade a younger player who conflicts with Maxwell in regards to positions because Maxwell has invaluable traits such as limitless courage and leadership. That isn't noticed outside the club. I'd rather have my captain (Maxwell) leading superbly at a half back flank, focusing on the team then some young star just playing on the 6th best forward because we are overpacked with other talented youngs in that same backline.

I am serious. I have been disappointed with Maxwell's performance this year.

And how is playing on an inferior forward every week showing leadership? A leader is supposed to lead from the front in both on-field and off-field performance. If young players are going to better forwards while Maxwell is assigned someone else how does that garner respect from young team mates?

As I've said I love the way Maxwell plays his footy and perhaps the comparison to C1 is a little harsh but so far this year he has been beaten too many times one on one and hasn't shown enough when he's gone forward to be a genuine option there.

He can play a role for a few years but if these much talked about KP players that we have come on, it's going to be Maxwell's spot that is under pressure and as another poster said no one wants a Vandenburg situation at the greatest club in the land.

 

[PieLebo87]

I am serious. I have been disappointed with Maxwell's performance this year.

And how is playing on an inferior forward every week showing leadership? A leader is supposed to lead from the front in both on-field and off-field performance. If young players are going to better forwards while Maxwell is assigned someone else how does that garner respect from young team mates?

His opposition and performances are a total different thing to how he leads and what he does to spur on his teammates.

Firstly, Ill disagree, he hasnt been in the best of form on a few occasions this year, but he most definitely hasnt been too disappointing on a regular basis. I think that if it wasn't for him being a 3rd man up on the weekend against Hall and O'Loughlin, we would've lost. Theres just one simple reason why he is a valuable defender. He is the best player in the AFL for 1-%ers, because of the way he throws his body into packs to help the teammate in the backline, the smothering, the sheparding ect.

Did you even see him pre-match talking to the group? Who would do that if he wasn't there? Rocca? Johnson? Fraser? No one would have the same amount of influence on a group of kids around the club as Maxwell because of his WANT to be at the front, to be hurt for the team, he obviously wears his heart on his sleeve, and shows that in EVERY SINGLE contest he gets involved in, if you cant see that, then you're blind.

As I've said I love the way Maxwell plays his footy and perhaps the comparison to C1 is a little harsh but so far this year he has been beaten too many times one on one and hasn't shown enough when he's gone forward to be a genuine option there.

He can play a role for a few years but if these much talked about KP players that we have come on, it's going to be Maxwell's spot that is under pressure and as another poster said no one wants a Vandenburg situation at the greatest club in the land.

People comparing his situation to C1 are idiots. He has similiar traits to C1, as in, he is our 3rd man up in defence, but so is Heater, doesn't mean Heath Shaw is our next Jason Cloke. THAT is the only similiarities.

In Maxwell's case, I understand your point, but I dont think there is even a risk of there ever being a worry about him getting dropped as captain. Main reason that he is even in the squad NOW, and has been over the last year, hasn't been his talent, or ability to win the footy, It is his leadership of the younger players, the ability to look after his teammates and the ability to stand up to the opposition.

On the weekend, other then Maxwell, who was going to stand up to Hall when BBB started getting angry at the treatment? Only Maxwell can do something like that, and we need at least one of him in our backline in years to come when we have the likes of Brown, Goldsack, Stanley, O'Brien and Anthony already doing their jobs on the opposition forwards and beating them thoroughly.

As we say, we dont need 18 superstars on the field, we need players who are more depth players then talents. Thats what Maxwell is, and his ability to lead is why he is such an important depth type player on the field, because when we're down and out, he will be offering this team more in leadership and encouragement then a Pendlebury will with his silky skills.

All Im saying is there are times when we need hardness, toughness, direction on the field ahead of skills, youth and talent, thats why Maxwell isn't going anywhere.

 

[Hadders]

His opposition and performances are a total different thing to how he leads and what he does to spur on his teammates.

Firstly, Ill disagree, he hasnt been in the best of form on a few occasions this year, but he most definitely hasnt been too disappointing on a regular basis. I think that if it wasn't for him being a 3rd man up on the weekend against Hall and O'Loughlin, we would've lost. Theres just one simple reason why he is a valuable defender. He is the best player in the AFL for 1-%ers, because of the way he throws his body into packs to help the teammate in the backline, the smothering, the sheparding ect.

Did you even see him pre-match talking to the group? Who would do that if he wasn't there? Rocca? Johnson? Fraser? No one would have the same amount of influence on a group of kids around the club as Maxwell because of his WANT to be at the front, to be hurt for the team, he obviously wears his heart on his sleeve, and shows that in EVERY SINGLE contest he gets involved in, if you cant see that, then you're blind.



People comparing his situation to C1 are idiots. He has similiar traits to C1, as in, he is our 3rd man up in defence, but so is Heater, doesn't mean Heath Shaw is our next Jason Cloke. THAT is the only similiarities.

In Maxwell's case, I understand your point, but I dont think there is even a risk of there ever being a worry about him getting dropped as captain. Main reason that he is even in the squad NOW, and has been over the last year, hasn't been his talent, or ability to win the footy, It is his leadership of the younger players, the ability to look after his teammates and the ability to stand up to the opposition.

On the weekend, other then Maxwell, who was going to stand up to Hall when BBB started getting angry at the treatment? Only Maxwell can do something like that, and we need at least one of him in our backline in years to come when we have the likes of Brown, Goldsack, Stanley, O'Brien and Anthony already doing their jobs on the opposition forwards and beating them thoroughly.

As we say, we dont need 18 superstars on the field, we need players who are more depth players then talents. Thats what Maxwell is, and his ability to lead is why he is such an important depth type player on the field, because when we're down and out, he will be offering this team more in leadership and encouragement then a Pendlebury will with his silky skills.

All Im saying is there are times when we need hardness, toughness, direction on the field ahead of skills, youth and talent, thats why Maxwell isn't going anywhere.

Good post.

But I still think that leadership should be secondary to a player actually doing their job week in and week out. And when Maxwell has been given a task this year he has been beaten too often for a player of his experience.

Yes he plays very well as a third man up but so did Jason Cloke. Teams are going to work him out and either man him up if he's playing as a loose man or target his man and isolate Maxwell one on one.

In a full strength side he is the weak link in a very good defence and when Clement and Presti are gone and he is the senior man in defence is he going to be able to be able to be an effective defensive stopper? I have my doubts.

And as to the comparisons to C1, Maxwell has more upside than Cloke but he suffers from the same weaknesses - lack of size and quickness. It puts him in an awkward position as he can't play on genuine smalls or talls.

As I've said numerous times I hope that Maxwell makes it because of the leadership that he provides but IMO leadership plays a secondary role to his first and foremost job which is to be a quality defender.

 

[PieLebo87]

But I still think that leadership should be secondary to a player actually doing their job week in and week out. And when Maxwell has been given a task this year he has been beaten too often for a player of his experience.



As I've said numerous times I hope that Maxwell makes it because of the leadership that he provides but IMO leadership plays a secondary role to his first and foremost job which is to be a quality defender.

I getcha Hadders, but as I said previously, there is such a thing as depth players in a starting 18 that aren't pure talent, thats what Maxwell is.

They say that youngsters stand up better when there are senior players around them, well its the same with Maxwell, he has been up and down with injuries to our senior players, but when we have Presti, Clement, O'Brien, Shaw ect. playing, they take the best 2-3 forwards in a side, and that frees Maxwell up to play on a lesser potent forward and be a third man up. Theres no side in the AFL that has 6 dangerous forwards (other then us, of course) so its illogical to think that Maxwell cant make it into a defence/team just based on his ability to lead and set a benchmark for the others in regards to courage when we already have 2-3 other really talented backmen doing their jobs.

As for his form this season, I think people are being too harsh on him. He hasnt been as bad as people are making it out to be. Ill say it again, other then Wakes, it was thanks to Maxwell that we beat Sydney on the weekend, because he was that extra man who spoilt 4-5 definite marks for Hall and O'Loughlin.

What you're probably thinking is there wont be a role for him every weekend in the future, I agree, but he does have plenty to offer as a footballer, and what he lacks in footballing sense, he does make up for in leadership and courage, thats why he'll never face the chop.

I think that it would have a negative effect on the players if someone like Maxwell is dropped or delisted.