2009 Player Review - # 23 James McDonald

[Disco Demons 92]

The days of having the best player in the side as captain are gone and so should they be.

To think otherwise shows a true misunderstanding of leadership and the requirements of a club captaincy.

By the measures of a great leader there can be no other choice but Junior.

Your antiquated views embarrass you.

Yes, if you have that.

But you don't don't pick the best player if they have inferior leadership skills to another in the side.

That is what the position is all about. Otherwise it becomes just a title.

You often find the qualities that make a player so good are the same ones that make them a good leader.

But there are times when the captaincy is better performed by a player that isn't necessarily seen as being in the best 5 or even 10 players at a club.

Worked just fine for Geelong.

so are the days over for the best player in the side being the captain? No they are not.

[Keyser Söze 0]

so are the days over for the best player in the side being the captain? No they are not.

Ok, because you clearly didn't understand I'll spell it out for you:

The days of choosing a captain, based purely on who is the best player in the side, are well and truly over.

The captaincy is chosen based on who will best perform the responsibilities of the role, and who possesses the greatest leadership skills.

If that player also happens to be the best in the side, then that is a bonus.

Edited October 22, 2009 by Keyser Söze

[Rogue 585]

james macdonald,,,i think there is a strong chance he's not going to last at the club the entire year. Esp if melbourne performs and has a full list of players to choose from.

macdonald played 18 games for 2009 and finished equal 9th in the B&F.

given we have a lot of youth. the fact melbourne came last this year and macdonald has voted 9th best player,,,he's on a one year contract...he's on his way out,,,

if he's not performing he'll be under great pressure to step aside for the youth policy.

thoughts?

Of course he's on his way out.

However, a 9th placing in the B&F suggests he was in the best 22 this year.

I think he'll hold his spot for next year and play a majority of games, but I'd be shocked if he played in 2011.

[Brayshaws' Helmet 143]

So... you're basing it on stats? Really?

I've said the position is about more than just on-field performance.

And are you saying with Green as captain we'd have won more games?

You are the one who brought up this hypothetical.

i am not basing it on stats, i am saying

Green>McDonald

in a fundamental way

[Disco Demons 92]

Ok, because you clearly didn't understand I'll spell it out for you:

The days of choosing a captain, based purely on who is the best player in the side, are well and truly over.

The captaincy is chosen based on who will best perform the responsibilities of the role, and who possesses the greatest leadership skills.

If that player also happens to be the best in the side, then that is a bonus.

who was the last captain to be chosen for being the best player in the side? rather than leadership...

[Keyser Söze 0]

i am not basing it on stats, i am saying

Green>McDonald

in a fundamental way

I agree. In terms of on-field performance.

But not in terms of leadership.

Nor in his abilities to perform the role of captain.

You do realise these things are not mutually inclusive?

[Brayshaws' Helmet 143]

I agree. In terms of on-field performance.

But not in terms of leadership.

Nor in his abilities to perform the role of captain.

You do realise these things are not mutually inclusive?

well you asked me who i would prefer, and the answer is Green as captain.

And given the opportunity imo would've been better.

[rpfc 28,779]

When Green was injured at the start of 2008, the players had a vote and he didn't even make the leadership group.

I asked the question then, and I will ask it now - how can someone be such a ghost when he is injured that the players don't see him, or his leadership?

I just don't see Brad Green as a leader of men.

And if we are going on best player - Aaron Davey would be captain.

One last point - James McDonald is the most decorated player on our list; 2 Blueys and an AA selection.

He deserves his 2nd year of Captaincy above anyone else.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

so are the days over for the best player in the side being the captain? No they are not.

Being the best player at your club not a pre requisite for being a successful captain. Its not a mutually exclusive situation either

Harley, McDonald, Lloyd, Mitchell, Maxwell, Cassisi and Johnson are good capable players and leaders at their Club in their own styles. Are they the best player at their Club? No.

[1858 285]

Bailey couldn't get him to re-sign quick enough. A good captain holds his own on the footy field but is also an extension of the coach both on and off the ground. To argue against McDonald as captain is more or less being at odds with Bailey and what he believes/knows is required to develop our list.

[Guest delicious jurrah coffee]

Bailey couldn't get him to re-sign quick enough. A good captain holds his own on the footy field but is also an extension of the coach both on and off the ground. To argue against McDonald as captain is more or less being at odds with Bailey and what he believes/knows is required to develop our list.

thats very debatable, im talking about bailey not macca, 7 out of 44 games, thats a very bad record, it would want improve dramatically nxt season.

[Disco Demons 92]

Being the best player at your club not a pre requisite for being a successful captain. Its not a mutually exclusive situation either

Harley, McDonald, Lloyd, Mitchell, Maxwell, Cassisi and Johnson are good capable players and leaders at their Club in their own styles. Are they the best player at their Club? No.

Rhino,,,who was the last player to be made captain because they were the best player in the team?

[Rogue 585]

When Green was injured at the start of 2008, the players had a vote and he didn't even make the leadership group.

I asked the question then, and I will ask it now - how can someone be such a ghost when he is injured that the players don\'t see him, or his leadership?

I just don't see Brad Green as a leader of men.

I think it's a valid point, and apparently Green isn't the most outspoken guy around (but I doubt McDonald is either).

From memory, DB said that with an influx of players new to the Club and the fact that Green, as an older guy, had a delayed start were factors in Green missing out.

However, Green was voted into the leadership group (mid-season?) so the players may see something you don't.

[Guest delicious jurrah coffee]

Rhino,,,who was the last player to be made captain because they were the best player in the team?

good response id like to hear that answer?

[1858 285]

thats very debatable, im talking about bailey not macca, 7 out of 44 games, thats a very bad record, it would want improve dramatically nxt season.

Correct me if I am wrong but the thread title is 'james mcdonald' is it not?

I don't know what you were "talking about" as I wasn't even replying to any specific post, I offered a general opinion on the subject of the thread.

Edited October 22, 2009 by 1858

[Guest delicious jurrah coffee]

Correct me if I am wrong but the thread title is 'james mcdonald' is it not?

I don't know what you were "talking about" as I wasn't even replying to any specific post, I offered a general opinion on the subject of the thread.

if its a macca thread, why did your post involve bailey?

[Keyser Söze 0]

Rhino,,,who was the last player to be made captain because they were the best player in the team?

Easy. Shaun Burgoy... Oh.

[1858 285]

if its a macca thread, why did your post involve bailey?

McDonald has obviously been endorsed by Bailey because Bailey sees him as playing an important part both on and off field for the club - pretty simple. I see this as giving a lot of credibility to McDonald (ie the subject of this thread). Also if the coach sees McDonald as someone who will aid him in his development of the team then who are we to argue the fact?

It's not that hard.

[Guest delicious jurrah coffee]

McDonald has obviously been endorsed by Bailey because Bailey sees him as playing an important part both on and off field for the club - pretty simple. I see this as giving a lot of credibility to McDonald (ie the subject of this thread). Also if the coach sees McDonald as someone who will aid him in his development of the team then who are we to argue the fact?

It's not that hard.

but you still mentioned bailey twice in your posts? think about it.

[H_T 3,049]

if its a macca thread, why did your post involve bailey?

but you still mentioned bailey twice in your posts? think about it.

JDC, as 1858 has already stated, the post in question was offering a general opinion to the thread, he/she wasn't replying to anyone in particular. Nearly every thread involving a Melbourne player at some stage refers to the coach in some way.

Referring to Bailey (the coach of the Mfc) in 1858's post for this thread is somewhat relevant to the captaincy of the Melbournefc I would have thought. Move on.

Edited October 22, 2009 by High Tower

[Disco Demons 92]

Easy. Shaun Burgoy... Oh.

were are talking about captain not vice captain,,,

shane vice captain?

[1858 285]

but you still mentioned bailey twice in your posts? think about it.

"Think" isn't a word that you should bandy around.

[Guest delicious jurrah coffee]

JDC, as 1858 has already stated he was offering a general opinion to the thread, he wasn't replying to anyone in particular. Nearly every thread involving a Melbourne player at some stage refers to the coach in some way.

Referring to Bailey (the coach of the Mfc) in 1858's thread is somewhat relevant to the captaincy of the Melbournefc I would have thought. Move on.

what are you a moderator, theres no malice in anyones posts, after all your posts in 16mnths maybe you should be upgraded as a moderator, nobodys abusing anyone, why dont you move on, theres no abuse so back off.

[H_T 3,049]

what are you a moderator, theres no malice in anyones posts, after all your posts in 16mnths maybe you should be upgraded as a moderator, nobodys abusing anyone, why dont you move on, theres no abuse so back off.

No. I'm not a moderator. I didn't say there was any abuse or malice, if you read my post correctly you will notice that. I was simply trying to help you make sense of it, 1858 has already given you your answer. Sheesh. Talk about getting out of the wrong side of the bed.

I will gladly move on.

[The Big Ticket 94]

what are you a moderator, theres no malice in anyones posts, after all your posts in 16mnths maybe you should be upgraded as a moderator, nobodys abusing anyone, why dont you move on, theres no abuse so back off.

Relax

Not sure why you brought up Bailey's coaching record in a thread that supposed to be about Junior.