Our next captain?

[GVGjr]

This was being discussed slightly in the Jarrad Grant thread. GVGjr posted this which really made me think:

I think your assessment of Giansiracusa is spot on but I don't necessarily think leaders of the club have to be the game breakers or match winners.
If he is the best leader of players we have then the "do as I say" approach is OK.

I was looking at the leadership group we have at the club and for a variety of reasons I don't think we have a standout.
- Murphy is too laid back
- Cooney attends club functions spending more time sending text messages than listening to the questions being asked of him
- Griffen really does shy away from setting the standard for the other players to follow
- Higgins probably 12 months away from serious consideration

And as a result of that guys that would otherwise not be regarded as match winners like Giansiracusa, Boyd, Cross and Morris seem to be the best candidates.

This is probably the wrong thread to go over this but our most gifted players don't seem to be ready for the top job.

I think he/she has covered it pretty well.

Thoughts?

[Murphy'sLore]

Re: Our next captain?

It's going to be Missy, no question. He has a bearing of absolute confidence and swagger that is remarkable in a kid his age. He's the only one who looks like a natural leader.

Maybe Gia or Boyd to warm the seat in the short term but only as a temporary measure, I'd be surprised if Higgins doesn't slot straight into the spot.

[Mantis]

Re: Our next captain?

It's going to be Missy, no question. He has a bearing of absolute confidence and swagger that is remarkable in a kid his age. He's the only one who looks like a natural leader.

Doesn't play like a leader.

Not knowing if he is injured or not his defensive efforts were extremely poor at crucial times last week and these efforts are something that happen on an all too often occassion.

Hugely talented player, but needs to do more.

[Ozza]

Re: Our next captain?

Doesn't play like a leader.

Not knowing if he is injured or not his defensive efforts were extremely poor at crucial times last week and these efforts are something that happen on an all too often occassion.

Hugely talented player, but needs to do more.

I agree.

Higgins probably frustrates me more than any other player. He is so talented, but seems to trot around fairly half paced when the opposition have the ball, and is far from a regular 4 Quarter performer.

I'd like to see a lot more urgency about his game. I think that could be whats required for him to improve further and become a gun player.

[Desipura]

Re: Our next captain?

Nominated Boyd at the start of the season, nothing has changed. Is a true leader and is consistent. Needs to work on his media.

[Doc26]

Re: Our next captain?

Nominated Boyd at the start of the season, nothing has changed. Is a true leader and is consistent. Needs to work on his media.

Boydy for me too.

Shaun appears so laconic, looks like he could'nt care less if he was out there half the time. Not sure what's going on with him. He has been gifted a natural talent with silky skills but is lacking onfield intensity. Is he still carrying the effects of OP or is there something else going on with him ? He could be so much more than what we're seeing currently.

[chef]

Re: Our next captain?

This was being discussed slightly in the Jarrad Grant thread. GVGjr posted this which really made me think:





I think he/she has covered it pretty well.

Thoughts?

With a name like Gary, I really hope GVGjr is a guy


On a serious note I would have Boyd as our next captain with Gia vice and Griffen and Higgins as the duty vices.

[Mantis]

Re: Our next captain?

Shaun appears so laconic, looks like he could'nt care less if he was out there half the time. Not sure what's going on with him. He has been gifted a natural talent with silky skills but is lacking onfield intensity. Is he still carrying the effects of OP or is there something else going on with him ? He could be so much more than what we're seeing currently.

So who gives him the drilling? Coaching staff or other members of the leadership group?

[LostDoggy]

Re: Our next captain?

So who gives him the drilling? Coaching staff or other members of the leadership group?

Our leadership group as a whole haven't exactly been setting the world on fire. Matt Boyd & Cooney aside, our leadership group is way down on output. I'd say it's time the coachs gave them a real stripping down and remind them that with leadership comes responsibilty.

Not seeing too many blokes taking responsibilty at the minute!

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Our next captain?

So who gives him the drilling? Coaching staff or other members of the leadership group?

Perhaps both. I don't think he needs a drilling, but perhaps a few home truths about his need to lift his intensity and work without the ball. (Although, besides the game against St Kilda, his tackling numbers haven't been too poor, even though I do agree that he needs to get better and show more intent in this area).



I don't think we have a clear cut leader, but believe Boyd is just about there. He continues to improve and extract the most out of himself every year, and has become a reliable, and consistent player. He's not our best ball user, but he'll give 100% every week, every contest and I think he has the ability to help pull his team mates over the line.

Would be great if a few of the younger generation in Cooney, Griffen and Higgins could take some big strides forward this year.

[hujsh]

Re: Our next captain?

I'd take the easy option and have co-captains Gia and Boyd as they both bring important qualities to the table. I doubt it would happen as our club seems to go with the more traditional setup of one captain and a group below him.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Our next captain?

I've said this on a different thread (they are all melting into one)...

While not our immediate next captain, we could do a lot worse than have Callan Ward groomed for the position two captains down the line ie. Boydy for a few years, then Ward.

Of course he has to get his body right first and cement his place in the side, and he has a bit to learn still, but even in his limited appearances so far, he has shown a willingness to put his head down and show leadership beyond his years to try and drag the whole team across the line, the Geelong game last year (where he torched Selwood in the 4th quarter) being the prime example. He also displays maturity beyond his years in many ways, and, youthful excesses notwithstanding, looks an outstanding role model and communicator.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Our next captain?

Our leadership group as a whole haven't exactly been setting the world on fire. Matt Boyd & Cooney aside, our leadership group is way down on output. I'd say it's time the coachs gave them a real stripping down and remind them that with leadership comes responsibilty.

Not seeing too many blokes taking responsibilty at the minute!

Agree with this.

Higgins has been very disappointing so far this year. As others have said, he's playing as though he's carrying something. Never been a huge physical presence on the field, but he's always been more than capable of winning the hard ball. He just doesn't seem to be getting involved at all at the moment, though.

Saw him on Saturday morning after the St. Kilda loss watching some local footy, seemed in good spirits.

[EasternWest]

Re: Our next captain?

Higgins is a superstar talent, but doesn't work hard enough yet IMO. He also seems reticent to go when it's his turn. I think he will captain eventually, but I don't think the time is right yet.

Boyd for mine, Murph close.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Our next captain?

I'm with Lantern 100%.

Also, I have a lot of respect for our leadership group and think that they are one of the best in the league. When was the last time there were any disciplinary issues within our playing group? I am not privy to insider club info, but I am scratching my head trying to remember the last time one of our boys played up enough for it to be reported in the media (something to do with Aker?).

I think that there is a lot of respect within our team for their leaders, and there is a lot to be said for the work ethic of players such as Boyd and Cross, and the influence they have on the younger boys in the team.