Opinion Rank our captains

[Partridge]

Maybe that the position is somewhat irrelevant - what's important is how well you play in the position you are picked to play.
Even more important is how you blend all positions and players into a successful , cohesive Team capable of winning Flags.
As an old fart I'm rejoicing in the era that we all witnessed , it's pointless dick measuring about players and positions - forest and trees stuff.
Both fantastic skippers though !!

Anyone who thinks Harley was somehow gifted games while captain only need watch the second half of 2007. He destroyed a different small forward every week (you know, the exact same type players that give us trouble now. Must be an easy position hey!). His humiliation of Daniel Motlop in the Grand Final was as comprehensive a smacking you could see.

 

[Rainfall]

Harley is clearly better than Mackie and as a defender above Milburn as well.

LOL, saying Harley is better then Dasher is like saying Kane Tenace is better than Gary Ablett Snr.

 

[Seeds]

Harley was very good at an easy position.

Ling was great In a tough position.

Does that statement tell you anything ???

Yes except I disagree that key defender in struggling side is an easy position. Harley used to play on the likes of Richardson, Neitz, Lucas et al. He also played on the likes of Voss and small speedy forwards and was quite good in those smaller defending roles as well.

 

[Seeds]

LOL, saying Harley is better then Dasher is like saying Kane Tenace is better than Gary Ablett Snr.

That statement is just silly.

 

[Rainfall]

That statement is just silly.

Then we're both guilty.

 

[Seeds]

Then we're both guilty.

Your statement would be comparable if Tenace had as many All Australians as Garry Ablett.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

Anyone who thinks Harley was somehow gifted games while captain only need watch the second half of 2007. He destroyed a different small forward every week (you know, the exact same type players that give us trouble now. Must be an easy position hey!). His humiliation of Daniel Motlop in the Grand Final was as comprehensive a smacking you could see.

Agree Partridge - I'm a huge Harley fan.
I was trying( awkwardly) to point out to Two Planks the futility of his comparison between Ling and Harley playing positions and somehow relating this to their ability as Captains.

 

[Two Planks]

Agree Partridge - I'm a huge Harley fan.
I was trying( awkwardly) to point out to Two Planks the futility of his comparison between Ling and Harley playing positions and somehow relating this to their ability as Captains.

FFS I stated that Harley was the best captain and also that he wasnt as talented as other captains including Ling. Hardly outlandish statements.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

FFS I stated that Harley was the best captain and also that he wasnt as talented as other captains including Ling. Hardly outlandish statements.

I was reacting to you saying that Harley wasn't in the best 10 at the Club at any point in his career - also pointing out that comparing the positions he and Ling played and how easy/hard they were to replace is irrelevant to how they captained the side
If I've misunderstood apologies , if not , you have actually argued against yourself if you rate Tom as numero uno.

 

[Two Planks]

If I've misunderstood apologies , if not , you have actually argued against yourself if you rate Tom as numero uno.

I rate Harley as the number one captain for leadership, culture etc but as a player he was at the bottom of the list for pure natural footy talent. Hardly a big knock on the bloke as their was some pretty gifted players on the list.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

I rate Harley as the number one captain for leadership, culture etc but as a player he was at the bottom of the list for pure natural footy talent. Hardly a big knock on the bloke as their was some pretty gifted players on the list.

Agree to disagree , cheers
PS - I grew up in Niddrie !

 

[steady2]

... and Ross Glendinning won one from CHB, pretty sure?
might have swung between CHB and CHF that year, right around the time I started watching footy so my memory it pretty hazy ..

Definitely CHB, throw in Neil Roberts (CHB), John James (BP), Fred Goldsmith (FB), Gordon Collis (CHB), Verdun Howell (HBF), Kevin Murray (HBF).

 

[steady2]

I remember Ling's last game, a few minutes before the final siren he kicked a goal had a quick celebration before running back to the centre square pointing around and barking orders "Don't give these bastards a late one", a great captain as was his predecessor.
1 Harley
2 Ling
3 Selwood
4 Goggin
5 Farmer
6 Turner
7 INankervis
8 Ablett - I thought he was very good for a year and a half
9 Bourke
10 BNankervis

 

[Cursed Cat]

Definitely CHB, throw in Neil Roberts (CHB), John James (BP), Fred Goldsmith (FB), Gordon Collis (CHB), Verdun Howell (HBF), Kevin Murray (HBF).

nice list steady2 - can't believe I neglected to mention Kevin Murray!

 

[LifeSpan-Void]

It's very hard to ignore the sudden shift in club culture that coincided with Harley becoming captain, especially after his predecessor (King) had been ridiculed in the media several times for things like not taking any contested marks or making the social pages of the newspaper for some event he was in attendance at with his glamorous girlfriend while Geelong was putting in weekly sub-par performances. Harley was instrumental in making that desire to win the priority of all involved, and both Ling and Selwood have had smoother transitions into the captaincy because the system has been consolidated.

 

[Vdubs]

1. Harley. Post 2006, a difficult choice, fantastic application.
2. Ling. Brilliant leadership and communication.
3. Goggin. Role model on and off the ground.
4. Selwood. Still evolving, could be our best.
5. I Nankervis. Underrated. Well respected by all.
6. Turner. Inspirational and good communicator
7. Graham. Difficult job given what he stepped into.
8. Bews. Gave it everything he had
9. Newman. A natural leader on the ground
10. Farmer. Who wouldn't want to play under his leadership?

Can't personally include any co-captains, don't agree with the dilution of their roles.

 

[Scottland2007]

In this techno day and age, I love how Selwood interacts with fans and members. Send him a photo through twitter of you (or your child) with your membership stuff and it will get a "favourite". Makes me feel special, and if he can find time to do it for 30,000 people then he is a very commited Captain!

 

[Topper Harley]

Anyone who thinks Harley was somehow gifted games while captain only need watch the second half of 2007. He destroyed a different small forward every week (you know, the exact same type players that give us trouble now. Must be an easy position hey!). His humiliation of Daniel Motlop in the Grand Final was as comprehensive a smacking you could see.

I thought Mackie toweled Motlop, while Harley smashed Ebert.

They may have rotated at times, but I remember both humiliating their direct opponents that day.

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

I am a huge fan of Ling. I reckon he was the leader of the 2001 draftees onwards.

Harley I think was a stronger figurehead and drove standards. Ling worked harder with the individuals and I think he was tactically much stronger, we have never replaced him as an on field coach.

Too right. Harley was the 'bridge' between the off-field staff and the players while Lingy was very much the battlefield commander on match-day. Particularly important as Bomber's match-day tactile command wasn't really apparent - not really a slur on Bomber, he was just 'different'. As Blighty was.

 

[steady2]

nice list steady2 - can't believe I neglected to mention Kevin Murray!

I think it is a real shame that the Brownlow has become a midfielder's medal, but perhaps that just reflects the reality of modern footy where each team has about 6 middies who have to get 30 touches a game and the key position forwards are expected to kick 3 or 4 and do some bullocking while the defenders are expected to nullify their opponents. It is a strange situation because kids growing up are still learning the old position play which is then ignored at the elite level of the sport.