Tom Harley - Skipper

[chapmanmagic35]

A suprising one - as most of us believed Chappy would take the mantle. It is probably suprising for the reason that Harley is injury prone, but this could work.

Harley has leadership written all over him, and if you compare him with everyone else at the club, he is the man who fits the bill.

Injury is the only concern. If he can get out on the park consistently, the decision will be an inspired one, and a right one.

 

[Cats!!]

I'm not to sure about this move. The only reason i can think of this move is just to stand in for a few years while one of your guys develop more leadership skills. I think they see Gary Jrn as the captain after Harls, But he needs more time to develop. Although Harley does have great leadership skills. But he can't have a huge influence on a game from the position he plays.

 

[Conan Troutman]

Could work out well timing wise, with Ablett, Bartel and still Chappy probably ready by the time Harley finishes up. (edit - sorry Cats!! didn't see your post there)

Yeah and with Chappy, as great as he is, I think he seems to play for free kicks a bit too much. Like Mooney, maybe it doesn't set a good enough example??

And in regards to the media/outside the club side of things, Harley should do a good job I reckon. Unlike King, and no offense, but, Harley does have enough balls not to just dish up cliches. Harley actually does have something to say most of the time (from what little I've seen anyway).

 

[burto]

Face it, none of us really know what Harley and Chappy are like behind closed doors etc. Harley is probably the most motivating player on our list...

We only know what we see on the field. I guess there's more to leadership than that.

 

[blumfieldisback]

but your last few geelong players have been injury prone, when the team is out on the park it has lacked some leadership. surely chappy, scarlett or even ablett jnr could have been given this job. Cameron Mooney would also be on top of my Xmas tree as skipper providing he wouldnt do those undiscipline things that lets face it 10 years ago would have been acceptable. I love the cats but you really need to take the bull by the horn and say stuff this im not accepting this mediocrity and i will inspire my team. Mooney does this????

 

[Sammy D]

Good luck to Tommy.

 

[thegerman]

Harley is probably one of the best 'clubmen' at GFC, however his chances to lead the team whilst he is sitting in the stands injured will be difficult.

I can see the boards point though, that we just don't have anyone that can stand up and be counted. Our guys, (Jnr, Chappy, Bartel, J Corey, Ling and Moons), are too young or act that way, i.e. Moons.

Chappy is currently the most reliable guy running around and I can see Harley stepping down at the end of next season if injuries persist. This will leave the door ajar for guys like Chappy, Ablett and possibly Moons to show some leadership on the park this year and take over the tenure.

 

[G.F.C]

I can live with Harley, but IMO, it should have been Bartel.

 

[Big Nasty]

Harley is known to be a positive influence around the club especially to the younger players and always has the time for them (unlike scarlett), and he handles the media well. I reckon hes the right guy for the job if he gets the body right.

 

[Prodigal Sons]

I can state as fact that although the club rates Bartel highly they are still not happy with the recent contract negotiations and that the club was held to ransom.

I've got no doubt that the club will have long memories of that !

 

[JUBJUB]

I don't mind the decision.I'd go Harley ahead of the other 2 VC's from this year [Ling & Scarlett].

Well done Tom

 

[Cats!!]

All the old players that are around the club say that bartel is just not a leader. His to quite and just doesn't have great leadership skills. I'm not to sure if this exactly true though. Gary Jrn should be our next long term captain.

 

[chapmanmagic35]

All the old players that are around the club say that bartel is just not a leader. His to quite and just doesn't have great leadership skills. I'm not to sure if this exactly true though. Gary Jrn should be our next long term captain.

I would've thought Ablett and Bartel are similar in that regard.

 

[Cats!!]

I would've thought Ablett and Bartel are similar in that regard.

Sorry in which way?
just not meant to be a captain
or
long term captains for the club

 

[chapmanmagic35]

Sorry in which way?
just not meant to be a captain
or
long term captains for the club

Nah, that at the moment they would probably not be ready to be skipper.

 

[volcboy]

Congrats to Tom Harley - a great guy who shares my birthday We'll be a better side if he can stay fit and in the side.

However, I think this is a bit of a short sighted decision and I would have preferred Chapman or another younger player (sub 25 years old) as captain. I can only hope they have a succession planned for 1-2 years time.

 

[Ricketts]

Seems the obvious choice.

I'd rate Tom as our best option for captain, but of course there is the concern over his body, which may just end up being like having Steven King as captain again, which is why i would have liked to see Chapman get the job.

 

[Renegade]

Good to see they've decided to go with a player that can see out a full season.

 

[LifeSpan-Void]

A suprising one - as most of us believed Chappy would take the mantle.

Actually most of you WANTED him to be captain, none of you seriously thought the GFC would actually do it. It was reported months ago that if King quit, Harley was next in line.

 

[chapmanmagic35]

Actually most of you WANTED him to be captain, none of you seriously thought the GFC would actually do it. It was reported months ago that if King quit, Harley was next in line.

Key word - reported

Would've been his opinion.

 

[spanna050]

Yep, another captain who potentially will struggle to get on the park. I honestly believe that Tom's best is behind him. Seeing Buddy Franklin seriously burn Tom off in the last round to goal made me question whether Tom's still an automatic senior inclusion. I guess he is now.

 

[GeeCat]

I honestly believe that Tom's best is behind him. Seeing Buddy Franklin seriously burn Tom off in the last round to goal made me question whether Tom's still an automatic senior inclusion. I guess he is now.

In all fairness, Tom wasn't the first, and certainly won't be the last player to be burnt off by Buddy Franklin.

As for selection matters, whilst I agree that Tom's best days are most probably behind him, I would have thought the underlying value he has to the team (more specifically, the defence) was clearly outlined upon his return. He may not be in the AA form of yesteryears, or have the capable body to run it out with the mid-sized forwards of the league anymore, but his sheer presence and its subsequent effect on the team (on-field leadership, organisational skills, general cool head, overall calming presence etc) is enough reason to justify giving him more leverage (and not automatic selection) in selection matters than most others.

Of course, all this built up defense of the man is now useless given the recent appointment.

 

[shahla_selena]

good decision. fingers crossed he can stay uninjured for the majority of the season. but as ppl have said, great clubman, fantastic with the media and has the respect of the players.
gaz and chappy should be VC. wonder when they will announce it...?

 

[LifeSpan-Void]

Key word - reported

Would've been his opinion.

No, there were quotes from Harley himself. It's OK chapmanmagic35, we often confuse what we wish for with what is.

 

[HBF]

Congratulations to Tom Harley on his appointment to captain of the Geelong Football Club.

Bit of a surprise from an outsider looking in though.