Moloney next Captain?

[stuie 7,374]

Who knows what the evergreen Junior can manage, but chances are he won't be around next year. So with that (and the many,many discussions about the next captain) in mind, I'd like to state i think Beamer will be the next captain.

I have always been a big call for Davey or Green to take over when the time comes, but I've noticed something lately..

Davey - VERY respected, well liked, seen as a leader by the brothers especially, but has a short fuse under pressure and doesn't seem to be as outspoken as others in huddles etc

Green - Also very respected, gives his all every week and plays anywhere he's needed without complaint, capable of a captain's goal, but has not been in the leadership group in recent years

The main thing is, when you hear the younger players talk about their experience with the club, who they look to for guidance, who has helped them, and who sets the tone on the track and during the game the names that constantly come up are McDonald, Jones, and Moloney.

It seems like Jones has been great with teaching the young boys preparation (a strong point of his) and the like but out of him and Moloney it would be an obvious choice for captain.

Beamer loves the club more than anybody, is intently listened to by the team, and if he's able to direct his aggression a little better is capable of being an onfield enforcer, protector, and attacker. Being fairly young too means he could hold the mantle until someone like Grimes or Frawley, or even Scully or Trengove are ready to lead the club.

From an outsiders point of view he was never my first choice, but listening to the players and watching the team train and play, I think it would be a great choice.

What do you guys think?

[Bleasey as that 99]

I'd be very happy with Beamer as our next captain...

And I know for a fact that many of our new draftees from 2008 onwards have all said that Beamer has been the best mentor around the club. An interesting statement made by one of our draftees that Mclean was arrogant around the club and no-where near as welcoming as beamer....

Go Dees!

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Ah no.

Even if he actually did bleed red and blue.

Like his spirit and his passion. I question his output and decision making under pressure.

[stuie 7,374]

I agree a bit there Rhino, but being captain doesn't mean he needs to be our best player does it? I'm with you 100% about disposal, but I would never question his endeavour, and maybe the captaincy would be the catalyst for him to focus his passion.

[PeterJames 46]

His output is fantastic, 2nd b&f last year and will go very close again this year. It's not always the best player as well. He should be captain from next year with Green i think being unlucky after his last two years.

[Sir Why You Little 37,038]

His Form on the park would have to improve drastically for him to be captain.

I do not doubt his passion, but i want a player who leads by example which Junior Mac does beautifully right now.

[Eth 4]

Brad Green looks the most leader-ish out on the field.

But Junior hasn't retired yet.

[stuie 7,374]

Don't get me wrong, I'm a massive Green fan and think he has been our best player this year... but I very rarely hear his name mentioned by other players, especially the younger generation.. I'd love him as captain, but I'm trying to judge it on what's happening at the club not what I would want.

And again, I did say that Beamer would need to focus a bit better etc, but I think he could be the type of captain to lead us into an era of confidence and attack rather than the more fatherly example of Junior who has led us without flaw during our time of growth and development.

From next year we should be starting to hunt other teams, and you can't deny that Moloney would be a non-flinching front piece for that.

(Backed up by Green for his Junior like leadership through actions, and Davey for his skills and standing amongst all our players)

[titan_uranus 25,020]

Brad Green looks the most leader-ish out on the field.

Shhh.

Don't let rpfc hear you.

[jayceebee31 761]

Green captain-Grimes to be added to leadership group.

[stuie 7,374]

Grimes should absolutely come into the leadership group, as should Frawley I think. Start developing those 3rd-4th year players into strong leaders.

[1858 285]

His work rate is very good, his passion is excellent and if it is true that he has a mentoring role with the younger players then that is an asset. Having said that, I wouldn't have him as captain. As some others have mentioned, his decision making is not the best and he is not as effective as he should be as a player. Regardless of the fact that he does encourage players and sets standards in certain areas, a good captain is an extention of the coach as well as a player in their own right and I just get the feeling that Bailey could do better.

[scully31 0]

Giving moloney captain will only make him more determined and will turn this into great on field form.

[stuie 7,374]

Who would you suggest fills ALL those areas 1858? Aside from Junior who may retire, and Grimes who isn't quite ready for that yet.

[Daz's Dee's 113]

At this stage I can see James mcdonald playing on next year so the captaincy is filled! So that's possibly another 18 months for others too proove there worthas a captain who knows what will happin and who may step up. Grimmes may be right and ready, Beamer may continue to grow and lead or will someone jump out of the blocks and be an irrasistable choice (maybe a 3rd or 4th young player) but if it were now he would be a good chance IMO

Edited June 8, 2010 by Daz's Dee's

[1858 285]

Who would you suggest fills ALL those areas 1858? Aside from Junior who may retire, and Grimes who isn't quite ready for that yet.

Fair question, we don't have an obvious candidate who ticks all the boxes and I think that is what you are getting at here.

Regardless, I would favour Green over Moloney to cover most of the important criteria (that I personally favour anyway).

He is generally a consistent and polished performer up forward and has added elements to his game over the years that make him more accountable. As a player he is not in the fold as much as a mid but IMO he is effective for us and has good maturity and disposition as a player (I have nfi what he is like as a clubman which I admit is pretty important). I also think Green is an intelligent player which is important to development and assisting the coach. His versatility is also very handy which means (similar to JMac) he can move around the ground where required to help out and he has solid experience in this area. Obviously we prefer him kicking goals but never the less he has proven himself on a wing or in defence. I think he is ready to take a step-up. Whether Bailey and the club think so is a different matter.

[dee-luded 2,959]

I'd like to see Junior go around one more year. But I'd also like to see Moloney honoured as well with the Leadrship.

I think we need Both at the club at the moment & I think they both compliment one anothers deficiencies.

So,,, I'd like to suggest, For one Year only,, Dual captaincy, to carry us through this period of introducing Youth into our new team.

I think after 2011 there will be many players that will have arrived to a point of leadership where we could well be Ready to launch ourselves into the Hurly Burly of the AFL premiership season. I think our rebuild will be well on its way come the start of the 2012 season.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

I agree a bit there Rhino, but being captain doesn't mean he needs to be our best player does it? I'm with you 100% about disposal, but I would never question his endeavour, and maybe the captaincy would be the catalyst for him to focus his passion.

Never said it did. I dont think Beamer could focus his endeavour or passion more than he does. Its just his output partcularly in heavy traffic that concerns me.

[Eth 4]

Moloney's more of an off-field captain, his decision making isn't as good as it could be on-field. So how about Junior as captain in 2011 (considering he doesn't retire), then Green, Moloney, Davey, Grimes, Bruce and Frawley as vice-captains/the rest of the leadership group? Miller will be gone, and Rivers...I have a feeling he may be snapped up by the Gold Coast.

I like the look of that list and adding Grimes and Frawley will just boost their confidence.

[jumbo returns 6,741]

Never said it did. I dont think Beamer could focus his endeavour or passion more than he does. Its just his output partcularly in heavy traffic that concerns me.

So, output in heavy traffic equates to captaincy credentials?

[Doggo 32]

Its just his output partcularly in heavy traffic that concerns me.

Care to elaborate?

He's #1 at the club for clearances (67) and contested possesions (92), and #2 for tackles (56) from 11 matches this season. Those are elite numbers for a first-dibs, inside midfielder. Might suggest that his output in heavy traffic isn't as bad as some might think?

The main criticisms i have had of Brent in his career thus far have been his inability to apply enough defensive "chase-pressure" at times, which can sometimes make him look awfully slow and vulnerable in space; and his occasional propensity to just "kick the thing" long (although since the beginning of '09 this has improved markedly and he now regularly lowers his eyes rather than just blazing away).

I'd have never thought his output in "heavy traffic" was of great concern. What is it exactly about this part of his game that concerns you? I'm really interested to hear your reasoning as i think Brent's work in traffic is probably best at the club (although he is soon to be usurped by the two young guns Scully and Gysberts).

[titan_uranus 25,020]

Its just his output partcularly in heavy traffic that concerns me.

Really? I would have thought it's the opposite. His work in heavy traffic is pretty good (Doggo's stats above support that). I prefer him in and under rather than out in the open, or defending.

[DeeLite 0]

Jack Watts? Might be just watt he needs.

[jnrmac 20,065]

JUNIOR AIN't GOING ANYWHERE!!!!

[Rollo2 64]

Beamer as captain? I have to admit I hadn't thought of this before, but you make good points, he is a mentor and does bleed red and blue.

The one issue I see arising is that in a few years could be, say, our fifth or sixth best midfielder behind Scully, Trengove, Gysberts, Davey, and maybe Morton, Grimes or Blease... He would then either have to retain the captaincy despite having much less of an on field leadership role, or would have to be stripped of it at some point. Neither scenario serves him as a player IMO.

.