http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-08-...r-justin-leppitschs-sacking-says-tom-rockliff
So the team captain and few unnamed senior players take a "little" responsibility for the demise of the coach. Just a little? Rockliffe, Hanley, Rich, Martin and a couple of the other senior players need to have a long hard look at their performances this year.
Be that as it may the gist of my first genuine appearance on this Brisbane Lions discussion site (and reading of the same I might add) for a long time is because if ever I was unsure as the captains position this item in which he is extensively quoted needs to be taken into consideration by the powers that be as to his future tenure in said position.
The rumours that have filtered my way as to the younger players being treated badly by the senior group, what was called barstardisation back in my day but now goes by the name of hazing, was of concern if true. The various quotes in this item have left me cold and make we indeed think that there may be truth in the said rumours. The absolute stand out is this:-
"Obviously we're a young group and when you've got so many young players out there playing, they're all just happy getting games, so it's hard buying into that team thing.
"But when you're an older bloke and you're a bit more settled, that's when you can buy into the team game and want the team to improve.
"So that was the challenge for us this year when you have nine or 10 kids who are just happy to be out there, it does become a challenge."
To use internet jargon WTF? Is the captain blaming younger players for not having a team ethic and playing for themselves? This coming from a captain rumoured to be more concerned with his possession count per game hence his continued chipping the ball sideways?
He has accused the younger players of not wanting the team to improve! So the likes of he and Hanley, Rich, Martin et al had stellar years and were let down by the younger players? I call this an appalling statement by the captain and not worthy of what the position should represent.
I hardly think I have seen the game plan change much in the last 3 seasons in what I thought was pointedly development of the younger players. But apparently I was incorrect. According to the captain the younger players just played for themselves. This reads as revisionist to me but even if the captain, in his heart of hearts, thought this he needed to be a damned sight more circumspect considering his future relationship with the younger players.
Rockliffe is not made of captain material and after his quotes in this item the club would be best advised to remove him from the position and get him to focus on his game being less dream team points oriented.
Easily the most disturbing quotes I have read from a team captain for a long time.
So the team captain and few unnamed senior players take a "little" responsibility for the demise of the coach. Just a little? Rockliffe, Hanley, Rich, Martin and a couple of the other senior players need to have a long hard look at their performances this year.
Be that as it may the gist of my first genuine appearance on this Brisbane Lions discussion site (and reading of the same I might add) for a long time is because if ever I was unsure as the captains position this item in which he is extensively quoted needs to be taken into consideration by the powers that be as to his future tenure in said position.
The rumours that have filtered my way as to the younger players being treated badly by the senior group, what was called barstardisation back in my day but now goes by the name of hazing, was of concern if true. The various quotes in this item have left me cold and make we indeed think that there may be truth in the said rumours. The absolute stand out is this:-
"Obviously we're a young group and when you've got so many young players out there playing, they're all just happy getting games, so it's hard buying into that team thing.
"But when you're an older bloke and you're a bit more settled, that's when you can buy into the team game and want the team to improve.
"So that was the challenge for us this year when you have nine or 10 kids who are just happy to be out there, it does become a challenge."
To use internet jargon WTF? Is the captain blaming younger players for not having a team ethic and playing for themselves? This coming from a captain rumoured to be more concerned with his possession count per game hence his continued chipping the ball sideways?
He has accused the younger players of not wanting the team to improve! So the likes of he and Hanley, Rich, Martin et al had stellar years and were let down by the younger players? I call this an appalling statement by the captain and not worthy of what the position should represent.
I hardly think I have seen the game plan change much in the last 3 seasons in what I thought was pointedly development of the younger players. But apparently I was incorrect. According to the captain the younger players just played for themselves. This reads as revisionist to me but even if the captain, in his heart of hearts, thought this he needed to be a damned sight more circumspect considering his future relationship with the younger players.
Rockliffe is not made of captain material and after his quotes in this item the club would be best advised to remove him from the position and get him to focus on his game being less dream team points oriented.
Easily the most disturbing quotes I have read from a team captain for a long time.
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