Gia wants to be captain one day...
Gia ready to lead Bulldogs
The Age | Caroline Wilson | April 4, 2010
DANIEL Giansiracusa wants to captain the Western Bulldogs. He recently turned 28 and, knowing Brad Johnson's durability, would never assume the vacancy was a given next season. Therefore, he also knows the time for outright leadership might have gone past him.
He also knows he is not the best player in contention, despite the fact that players like Nick Maxwell and Domenic Cassisi have significantly altered the leadership vogue at their respective clubs.
However, perhaps the most telling obstacle standing in his path is also his club's greatest fi llip. And it is something that could not be said for his friend Chris Newman - the Richmond captain named as his opponent at the MCG in today's twilight game - which is the number of Bulldog teammates who suddenly seem so equipped for the job.
Giansiracusa captained the club in its NAB Cup victory and was to have led the side in round one before Johnson's surprising recovery.
Another close friend, Bob Murphy, whose achievements have virtually matched his own in statistical terms but who has never confided to Giansiracusa an ambition to captain the club, was also skipper for a preseason game, as was Matthew Boyd.
And when coach Rodney Eade gave Giansiracusa the nod until Johnson returned, he stressed that this did not make the consistent flanker-midfielder the heir apparent.
"I haven't actually told 'Rocket' [Eade] that I want the job," said Giansiracusa, "but he knows it's an ambition. It might go past me in terms of age and I'm not the most talented player at the club, so I might not be the right fi t. While Johnno's captain it's not an issue, but it's no secret I'd put my hand up and see it as a great honour."
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