Ratten new Blues captain

[The Old Dark Navy's]

from afl.com

From afl.com If this is to be Craig Bradley’s final season as a player with Carlton, it shapes up to be decidedly more low-key. The Blues announced late that Brett Ratten would replace Craig Bradley as skipper for 2002, with Andrew McKay becoming vice-captain and Adrian Hickmott becoming deputy vice-captain. "Over the last two years Craig has approached the Match Committee and Senior Coach and said if we thought the timing was right and there was a suitable person for the position, he would stand down as the Club Captain. With Craig still playing, there is no better time than now for Brett Ratten and Andrew McKay to take over the leadership roles at the Club", said Carlton’s match committee chairman, Stephen Kernahan. Ratten is a three-time Carlton best and fairest winner and has played 236 games for the Blues since his debut in 1990 and has been an All-Australian in the last two seasons. Ratten was a member of Carlton's last premiership side in 1995, along with Andrew McKay, who has played 203 games for Carlton. Bradley, who is Carlton’s equal record games holder, only reached agreement with the club to play again only a few weeks ago. He had been captain since 1998, when he replaced Kernahan.

 

[blues^rock]

good on 'em
i mean it's sad to see Braddles not being captain, but u may as well train the next one wit hBraddles there to help
good luck Rats! we know u'll do well... coz if u don't

 

[blues_brilliance]

I wonder if Rats will stop being the apple of every one's eye once he loses a game or two...

Nah!

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

I don't think that any Blues loses will be due to a lack of leadership on Ratten's part. He will lead by example as always. Though I do worry that the added responsibility can affect some players form.

 

[blues_brilliance]

...which is probably why it was a wise idea for the Blues to NOT appoint someone too young...less likely to happen to Rats than Campo or Whitnall.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

If we were really worried about the captaincy affecting a players form, we should have given it to Adam Chatfield while he was there. His form could only go up from there!