Official new leadership group

scottwade

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Thread starter #1
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22961736-23211,00.html

ADAM Goodes or Craig Bolton will replace Barry Hall as captain of the Sydney Swans in 2008.
And teammates have voted Tadhg Kennelly, Ryan O'Keefe and Luke Ablett into their leadership group to join Leo Barry, Brett Kirk, Craig Bolton, Goodes and Hall.
While club officials floated the possibility of four captains, current co-skipper Leo Barry revealed they were more likely to choose one to join him and Brett Kirk.
However, Barry believes both Goodes and Craig Bolton will captain the side in coming seasons.
"Indications are that we will have three captains and at this early stage it looks like it will be Adam Goodes or Craig Bolton," Barry said.
"Regardless of which guy it is, Adam or Craig, I think the other will get the opportunity to lead the club in the future."
The captaincy vacancy opened up after Barry Hall resigned as skipper in October. The club is expected to make an announcement in January.
Goodes and Bolton are both 27 years old and both are impeccably credentialled.
Goodes is one of the most decorated players in the competition with two Brownlows, a two-time all-Australian and dual Swans' best and fairest.
His sheer brilliance in 2003 and 2006 took Sydney from being a good team to a flag contender. He also has a demonstrated ability of taking responsibility in the lean and more difficult times.
Away from football, Goodes is clean-living, articulate and statesmanlike - a member of the National Indigenous Council and a passionate, devoted leader in the community.
Bolton is a star defender of the AFL, supremely consistent and an all-Australian in 2006.
His performances in 2005 and 2006 were major factors in the Swans' grand final berths and he did not put a foot wrong this year, covering the best forward most weeks.
Like-minded to Kirk, and of a similar mould, Bolton has unofficially been the right-hand man to the Swans leader in the past couple of years.
Bolton was this week awarded the AFL's community leadership award for his long-time charity work, particularly with the homeless in Sydney.
Barry is an advocate of the multiple captaincy system, first adopted by the Swans in 2005 - their premiership season. It has since been employed by other AFL clubs and in other football codes.
"Having three captains does make it an easier workload where we can share the responsibilities amongst us," Barry said.
"I am certainly an advocate for having three."
I've said it before, but I would have liked Leo to have stepped down as well and (if we are to retain 3 co-captians) CB & Goodes to join Kirk.
 

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ssfc0203

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#2
Stoked with the leadership group, as we finally see the more 'behind the scenes' players get recognised.
Onya Rhino! :thumbsu:
..and maybe this'll be the catalyst in getting Tadhg to stay here? ;)


As much as I would love to see Barry still in the captaincy rotation, I can't stand the thought of either Goodes or Bolts missing out.
 

SOPH_CROSS

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THE BIG SOUND WEST OF THE TOWN!
#3
AWWWW LUKEY thats awesome im so happy
and Tiger deserves it along with Bolts and Adam born leaders and a top group they will be cant wait for 08 now
 

natlovestheswans

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#5
I'm so confused by the whole Luke Ablett getting selected for the leadership group.. i mean i love Lukey but leadership group? I guess he does more behind the scenes? Hm.. weird.

Anywho, does that mean Jude Bolton was dropped from the group? Or did he already stand down like Ben Mathews did?
 

FM0226

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#6
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22961736-23211,00.html



I've said it before, but I would have liked Leo to have stepped down as well and (if we are to retain 3 co-captians) CB & Goodes to join Kirk.
Spot on. Not sure why he would want to hold onto the captaincy when it's obvious that C.Bolton is much more influential in the back line. I would give the captaincy to Goodes (if only one is added) because added responsibility might bring out even more from him whereas Bolton will remain brilliantly consistent with or without the added responsibility (though he deserves to be a co-captain).
 

bloods01

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#7
I'm so confused by the whole Luke Ablett getting selected for the leadership group.. i mean i love Lukey but leadership group? I guess he does more behind the scenes? Hm.. weird.

Anywho, does that mean Jude Bolton was dropped from the group? Or did he already stand down like Ben Mathews did?
Likewise. That's a bit of a strange one if you ask me. Nonetheless, congratulations to all of them. Intersting to see that Tiger was named in the leadership group. I truley hope he stays on for another term after his contract expires at the end of the '09 season.
 

Corpuscles

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#8
Only guessing but reckon NOG (Luke) inclusion is inspired genius!!!

I reckon it is a sorta "liason role" for the young ones coming through.

He would be one of the first ones (outside of the superstar class and approachable) that The Vezsper and Merridth will want to have a chat to and get to know, (probably like all the rest before ) coz of his famous surname!

He is modest & unassuming and has had to work very hard to make it!!! (has had to go through the Roosey... tag first become accountable & make as few f'ups as possible :eek:)and that can be extremely valuable guidance from a 'graduate' of that program to the young ones.

Sometimes he has appeared to take a "back seat involvement" in past (Kirky won't be there for ever) but as a new leader it is time for him to step up and reach full potential!:thumbsu:

--------

PS. Went to a few after match functions for a rare quiet 'look" at the club at the Xross in 2005..... Fortunate enough to see a couple of panel groupings one was, Micky O, C Bolton, A Goodes another Kirky J Bolton & Tadgh.......

It was what C Bolton and A Goodes said in around round 6-8 2005 at one of these functions for me to make immediate arrangements to make sure I was available and ready to go to GF week ( arrange time off work and purchase some special clobber etc)

They were under attack from some/many fans for playing "boring negative football" sitting 2-4 I think??... and both responded with passionate leadership style responses

It was along the lines of:

Do you want us to lose pretty or ....WIN, however way we can , even if ugly?

(Both with with controlled aggresion and passion & poise) ....."We don't care what you think !!!! cause we want to WIN and WE KNOW we can this way!! and we are alll 1000% committed to Roosey and coaching panel plan & style!" ....We have discussed it as player group and are honoured to be given the opportunity for player input , not many other teams get that chance!"

2005 Here it is!:thumbsu: ....2006 Just got away! ....2007 due for some collateral damage... 2008 are an under-estimated smokies;)


Merry and safe Xmas to all! Have enjoyed reading your banter this year!:)
 

CAS79

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#10
I'm glad that one of the younger guys (he's 24, 25?) has been selected but i guess i'm just a little disappointed that it wasn't Malceski.
I know what your saying Nat but they probably want Malceski to focus on himself this year, there is still some work to be done on the man's game before it is complete and I am hoping for a big year from him. I can see him making a real impact on the competition next year and if the Irishman stays fit we will have plenty of run out of the backline.

I like the leadership group, would rather one captain and A vice Captain but if we have to have 3 this year I would back Goodes to make a real impact in the role.
 
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#11
Spot on. Not sure why he would want to hold onto the captaincy when it's obvious that C.Bolton is much more influential in the back line. I would give the captaincy to Goodes (if only one is added) because added responsibility might bring out even more from him whereas Bolton will remain brilliantly consistent with or without the added responsibility (though he deserves to be a co-captain).
it seems goodes genuinely wants to be a co-captain, or even a captain on his own, and for a player like him to be so keen, it could only be a good thing for the club
my thoughts on leo are well known, and yes, it surely seems time he stepped down, seeing as he does too many things that are more individual than team-oriented (much to the team's disadvantage)
i have not seen a full list, and i don't entirely agree with naming half the senior squad in a "leadership group", but i would certainly prefer c bolton and goodes to join kirk
and of the younger brigade, i believe malceski is a captain of the future and would have benefited with some added responsibility in that direction
i actually don't believe there's much to be gained pushing kennelly into any leadership group
i'd have kirk standlone skipper, goodes and c bolton his deputies, and maybe a group of three younger players such as malceski, maybe even barlow given a role as being groomed to lead in the future
then again, i could be wrong
 

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FM0226

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#17
Agree but Kirky should stand down with Leo. Reckon both will struggle to hold down spots as they age and better to go out on top.Give Bolts and Adam a go and perhaps Tiger.
You must be kidding. Kirk was our most consistent midfielder all year and held an under-performing midfield together. By far the most inspirational player we have out there on the field, if anything he should be stand alone captain. What's the point of appointing CB, Goodes and Kennelly as captains when everyone's going to listen to Kirk's end of third quarter speeches anyway.

Because of Kirk's style and football sense, his game is the one least likely to be affected by age. He could well play till he's 35 if he isn't fatigued mentally.
 

FM0226

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#18
it seems goodes genuinely wants to be a co-captain, or even a captain on his own, and for a player like him to be so keen, it could only be a good thing for the club
my thoughts on leo are well known, and yes, it surely seems time he stepped down, seeing as he does too many things that are more individual than team-oriented (much to the team's disadvantage)
i have not seen a full list, and i don't entirely agree with naming half the senior squad in a "leadership group", but i would certainly prefer c bolton and goodes to join kirk
and of the younger brigade, i believe malceski is a captain of the future and would have benefited with some added responsibility in that direction
i actually don't believe there's much to be gained pushing kennelly into any leadership group
i'd have kirk standlone skipper, goodes and c bolton his deputies, and maybe a group of three younger players such as malceski, maybe even barlow given a role as being groomed to lead in the future
then again, i could be wrong
Would love to have Kirk as a stand alone captain. Especially when I think he still has 3,4 years left in him. Malceski is leadership material, no doubt about that (the stint as an assistant coach in the ressies helped developed that even further), so I was a bit disappointed that He wasn't included in the leadership group.

If Kirk does play for another 4 years or so, I will not be surprised if the captaincy is then handed to Malceski as he would be entering the prime (and Goodes, CB etc. will be 32/33 by then) of his career and the side mostly make up of players that are not part of 2005 premiership side.
 

FM0226

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#19
Just quietly - any reason behind the fairly solid push on here to see Leo Barry step down?
Mainly because it is evident that he is no longer that most influential player in the backline, Craig Bolton is - you will see that he will be the one that organises the backline, and telling players where to go when we go on the rebound etc.
 
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#20
Totally admire Leo Barry for what he has achieved and what he has done for the club, but I am in agreeance with a few others here that he should step down as captain because;

1/ There is a deserving candidate who would miss out otherwise

2/ Of all the senier players he is the one IMO who is furthest past his best (No disrespect and inpart due to changes in the rules as well as his increasing age)

3/ He faces an increasingly hard challenge with the holding and hands in the back rules to match oppenents who are becoming faster and bigger

He has been a champion and should be treated with dignity and respect during the final year or years of his career, but now would be a good time for him perform another champion deed and step aside as captain.
 

liz

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#21
The leadership group isn't appointed per se, it is elected by the playing group. Possibly the coaches have a vote too but my understanding is that it carries no more weight than the players' votes.

So surprise at Ablett or Kennelly joining the group rather than, say, Malceski, possibly reflects a lack of understanding from we outsiders as to who those in the know view as their leaders.
 
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#23
Would love to have Kirk as a stand alone captain. Especially when I think he still has 3,4 years left in him. Malceski is leadership material, no doubt about that (the stint as an assistant coach in the ressies helped developed that even further), so I was a bit disappointed that He wasn't included in the leadership group.

If Kirk does play for another 4 years or so, I will not be surprised if the captaincy is then handed to Malceski as he would be entering the prime (and Goodes, CB etc. will be 32/33 by then) of his career and the side mostly make up of players that are not part of 2005 premiership side.
yeah, it's hard to believe a suggestion kirk stand down
not sure about him playing four more years, but he's there at least the next two, i'd think, and is the ideal leader to groom the next generation of leaders, whereas someone like leo isn't, due to form, style of play and position
and you're right, c bolton has been our leader in defence for at least 2 seasons
 
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