Chaps,

Figured i'd start my first message board with a topic that has been bugging me for a while now.

And it is the topic of the melbourne captaincy. Now personally i don't particularly like James McDonald, and i think given the choice, if i was coach, i would've let McDonald go and have roberston stay, because i think he has more to give. But that is a different issue.

So McDonald has to retire sometime, the question is, who should take over?

I think from all reports, Mcdonald has a whole heap more to give within the club. All the players speak extremely highly of him, and at the stage where we are, i think its fine to have him running off half-back to contribute his two cents while he makes an impact on the development of the younger players. For the next captain...it gets a bit harder. I don't think Melbourne will go for another older captain for a 1-2 year period like this time, they'll be wanting to create a football legacy with a group of players moving up as one group. So with that in mind, possibly Mclean, Sylvia or the long shot in Davey.

Chaps,

Figured i'd start my first message board with a topic that has been bugging me for a while now.

And it is the topic of the melbourne captaincy. Now personally i don't particularly like James McDonald, and i think given the choice, if i was coach, i would've let McDonald go and have roberston stay, because i think he has more to give. But that is a different issue.

So McDonald has to retire sometime, the question is, who should take over?

Chaps,

Figured i'd start my first message board with a topic that has been bugging me for a while now.

And it is the topic of the melbourne captaincy. Now personally i don't particularly like James McDonald, and i think given the choice, if i was coach, i would've let McDonald go and have roberston stay, because i think he has more to give. But that is a different issue.

So McDonald has to retire sometime, the question is, who should take over?

2011 he will retire. Grimes would not be ready by then. Mclean id be happy with.

At the moment, it isn't particularly clear. Flash would be the front runner, but at times, he still gets dragged in by niggling. A captain cannot. I suspect this is a major factor, why Macca is staying. We lack strong leaders. He may not be the most skilled, but the players still respect him. Pick a new captain after '10.

At the moment, it isn't particularly clear. Flash would be the front runner, but at times, he still gets dragged in by niggling. A captain cannot. I suspect this is a major factor, why Macca is staying. We lack strong leaders. He may not be the most skilled, but the players still respect him. Pick a new captain after '10.

Besides Macca we do lack strong leaders. Macca is great in every way except lacks a strong pressense on the field IMO.

For what it's worth Matthew Lloyd is one of the very best...ever.

Besides Macca we do lack strong leaders. Macca is great in every way except lacks a strong pressense on the field IMO.

For what it's worth Matthew Lloyd is one of the very best...ever.

yep, i am aware that McDonald will Captain out next year, but i dont think that melbourne lacks leaders at all. I think that Sylvia has had a new lease on life this year, and he is my bid, apart from Davey to get the best and fairest.

And it has probably come from having a bigger responsibility at the club. so i wouldn't be opposed to having Col as captain.

Also if Davey was to be captain would he be the first Indigenous Captain?? not necessarily in the league, but at Melbourne for sure

For long term purposes just give it to Scully..... :D

yep, i am aware that McDonald will Captain out next year, but i dont think that melbourne lacks leaders at all. I think that Sylvia has had a new lease on life this year, and he is my bid, apart from Davey to get the best and fairest.

And it has probably come from having a bigger responsibility at the club. so i wouldn't be opposed to having Col as captain.

Also if Davey was to be captain would he be the first Indigenous Captain?? not necessarily in the league, but at Melbourne for sure

I see your point, Col may have really shown us on field leadership to an extent but I don't think he would be ready for the off field things that the captaincy invloves.

Moloney- Bleeds red and blue, and loves the club past and present. Plays with passion and grunt.

Moloney- Bleeds red and blue, and loves the club past and present. Plays with passion and grunt.

I would agree with this as a good choice.

IMO as good a leader as he was it was a mistake to have Neita (a full forward) as Captain.He was often out of the play when we weren't playing well and therefore helpless to lead.

I think captains should always be chosen from players that are likely to be in the thick of the action and I think Moloney would fit the bill well.

Davey would be a great captain in my opinion, not to mention the mentoring role he seems to have already assumed with Jurrah. The captain has to be one of the best two or three players at the club and Davey is currently the best. McLean will be lucky to stay in the top 22, Moloney isn't at that level either and all of the kids need to concentrate on their footy. Green would also be good choice but the Flash would be an inspiration. I also think Macca has done a pretty good job in a terrible year to have it.

I think from all reports, Mcdonald has a whole heap more to give within the club. All the players speak extremely highly of him, and at the stage where we are, i think its fine to have him running off half-back to contribute his two cents while he makes an impact on the development of the younger players. For the next captain...it gets a bit harder. I don't think Melbourne will go for another older captain for a 1-2 year period like this time, they'll be wanting to create a football legacy with a group of players moving up as one group. So with that in mind, possibly Mclean, Sylvia or the long shot in Davey.

For mine McDonald is the epitome of a very good leader, no arrogance nor flashiness.

He should be co-captain with, I think at this stage, Moloney.

I'd like to see a changing of the leadership guard over the next 2 years with Green/McLean/Davey/Rivers all in the leadership group.

I think a combo for 2010 of Macca & Moloney would be the tough leadership to show the kids the way.

Junior will be captain in 2010. End of story.

Moloney- Bleeds red and blue, and loves the club past and present. Plays with passion and grunt.

I don't think he's good enough to be captain though, personally. I want a gun to be our next captain and hopefully take us through to win a flag. There's no doubt Moloney has fantastic leadership qualities, but he's not the most skilled, nor will he ever win us a game off his own back. Sylvia might, but he has had too many discretions for the moment. Let him play a consistent, full season next year and then I'd think about him for the leadership group, following that, he'd be one for captain.

I don't think he's good enough to be captain though, personally. I want a gun to be our next captain and hopefully take us through to win a flag. There's no doubt Moloney has fantastic leadership qualities, but he's not the most skilled, nor will he ever win us a game off his own back. Sylvia might, but he has had too many discretions for the moment. Let him play a consistent, full season next year and then I'd think about him for the leadership group, following that, he'd be one for captain.

Davey may be the best player at the club at the moment but i dont think hes a leader.Maybe he is with the indigenous boys but not overall.Isnt a strong speaker & i think is too shy.Leaders need to be strong & set the example & be a big talker on the field & in the media.In my opinion Sylvia is our most important player & has come on big time this year & i think the responsability would lift him even higher.Is a grunt player,likes to have a yap & to me is a natural leader,after thet id say Moloney has same sort of leadership skills

I don't think he's good enough to be captain though, personally. I want a gun to be our next captain and hopefully take us through to win a flag. There's no doubt Moloney has fantastic leadership qualities, but he's not the most skilled, nor will he ever win us a game off his own back. Sylvia might, but he has had too many discretions for the moment. Let him play a consistent, full season next year and then I'd think about him for the leadership group, following that, he'd be one for captain.

The best player does not necessarily make the best captain, not saying Davey wouldn't but when i watch the players out there the guy that always fly's the flag in an inspirational way is Moloney. He understands where the club has been and knows where he wants it to be. And as for his ability, he will go very close to B&F this year and i rate him as our best inside player at the club.

It's Beamer then Davey for me in the captaincy race, and i feel the change should happen for 2010.

Davey may be the best player at the club at the moment but i dont think hes a leader.Maybe he is with the indigenous boys but not overall.Isnt a strong speaker & i think is too shy.Leaders need to be strong & set the example & be a big talker on the field & in the media.In my opinion Sylvia is our most important player & has come on big time this year & i think the responsability would lift him even higher.Is a grunt player,likes to have a yap & to me is a natural leader,after thet id say Moloney has same sort of leadership skills

Yerp. I do think Adam is correct in saying how we need a real top player to be captain though.

It's really difficult to make a call on captaincy when you're not privy to the inner sanctum.

However, Demonland would be pretty dull without idle speculation, so here's mine:

McDonald -> Green -> <best of the younger group>

Green for me.

Brad Green is the standout leader on the field for me. Puts his body on the line.

But long term the decision is still to be made.

The long term captain will emerge as the team grows.

i reckon by the time macdonald retires the following list of players could be ready to be captain:

Mclean

Sylvia (he would learnt all the lessons of what it takes to be an elite player in the afl)

Bate

Beamer

Frawley

Jones

i personally want sylvia to be our captain, i just think he is going to be an elite player and great leader because he has learned so many valueable lessons and he can lead by example

McDonald

Davey may be the best player at the club at the moment but i dont think hes a leader.Maybe he is with the indigenous boys but not overall.Isnt a strong speaker & i think is too shy.Leaders need to be strong & set the example & be a big talker on the field & in the media.In my opinion Sylvia is our most important player & has come on big time this year & i think the responsability would lift him even higher.Is a grunt player,likes to have a yap & to me is a natural leader,after thet id say Moloney has same sort of leadership skills

If you don't think what Aaron did on the wing yesterday was inspirational, then you must be deluded. His constant chasing, smothering, tap ons...need I say more...he oozes leadership. He doesn't do it occasionally, he does it every week. The area he does struggle is the niggles he receives. If he learns to deal with this, he'd make a great captain. He may have been shy when he first came into to it, but he's less shy than Macca and on par with him in terms of speaking. If you've listened to Macca (as much as I love him) speak after a number of games this year, he's very awkward and seemingly shy, but amongst the group must exude inspiration. Flash is the same. Aaron constantly sets the example with his chasing, tackling and one percenters.

Furthermore, I don't think we can make an assessment of whether someone is a leader amongst the players, unless we're apart of the playing group itself. I don't deny Moloney has passion and leadership in spades, but he wouldn't be in my best 22 come next year, if we pick up Scully and Trengove. Flash would be though.

The best player does not necessarily make the best captain...

I completely agree. In this case, it's not neccessarily Aaron's skills that put him before Moloney, but it's the one percenters and moments in the game, where he can lift the team, in a way, the skipper should.

Chaps,

Figured i'd start my first message board with a topic that has been bugging me for a while now.

And it is the topic of the melbourne captaincy. Now personally i don't particularly like James McDonald, and i think given the choice, if i was coach, i would've let McDonald go and have roberston stay, because i think he has more to give. But that is a different issue.

So McDonald has to retire sometime, the question is, who should take over?

I got to the part where you said you didn't particularly like James McDonald and my eyes glazed over.

I don't see how any MFC supporter can not like Junior.

Two Blueys and an AA selection...

Just lost a little faith in humanity...