... and then there were four ...

[Red Sox 2]

I've said this before, if I think Davey as captain, I think of arguing with the umpire and giving away crucial 50s and gimme goals. He did this more than once this year. Imagine that in a tight preliminary final?

There's no doubt he's amongst our top few players and I'm a huge fan of the way he apparently conducts himself on the field. And I've no doubt he's got a great relationship with the young players and other leaders alike. I just feel his on-field temperament is too wayward for a captain. He's too easily ruffled and it costs the team at times.

I love the player and the man Aaron Davey has become, but it's Brad Green for me.

With that in mind, I feel being handed the captaincy Davey could step up further into that man he has become. Abolishing some of the points you and also Hannabal have made, with which I agree.

There is no doubting the obvious relationship and regard he is held in by the players. Also by those outside the club, media etc. I think they give Davey glowing praise at every opportunity and don't, as such point out some of those negatives.

From the outside, it seems Green is more a leader with his deeds on the field and great deeds they are. He couldn't do anymore than he already does, or already gives. He deserves to be given the role.

But I think Davey would step up further and the role might well eradicate the negatives and what a player, leader, captain he would be if that were to eventuate.

[Roost It 1,434]

We have no clear winner because the 3 main choices don't have what it takes to be a great leader. It's the captain after this one that will inspire his players and spell deesaster for the opposition. All part of the rebuild.

[Longsufferingnomore 1,619]

Two points - does Brad Green want to be captain. If it is true that he may have other priorities then he may not want the extra load.

Having heard Green and Frawley interviewed when they became AA's Frawley was obviously not going to be known for his speaking abilities however Brad was succinct and coherent. Also having heard Aaron talk on numerous occasions he also would make a fine spokesperson for the club. Moloney when being interviewed by Schwab about the new jumper was embarrasing to listen to. So I think it is between Green and Davey with Jack Grimes into the leadership group. (Scully an outsider into the leadership group.)

When the Club chose James McD there were a few of us who almost choked on their cereal but obviously the Club knew more than what we did. Same with Neita - we were all nervous when it was announced that he was Captain because of the perceived idea that he did not speak well in public. The Club again knew more than we did.

The Club will make the right decision. They have been making all the right decisions for some time now - lets just have faith in the system.

[Daz's Dee's 113]

My opinion would love to see grimmes get the gig (if the players voted this way)

2nd Moloney would be a strong leader

3rd Davey great player and seems to have grown into a leader (doesn't appear a natural born leader)

4th brad green great player in great form and is "hard at it" but doesn't seem to be a leader. Anyway only my opinion and I think it will be my choices in reverse

[Nasher 33,607]

We have no clear winner because the 3 main choices don't have what it takes to be a great leader. It's the captain after this one that will inspire his players and spell deesaster for the opposition. All part of the rebuild.

Agree 100% - there's no perfect Captain choice this time around.

It would seem there's a truckload of leadership potential in the young players with Scully, Trengove, Watts and obviously Grimes being highly rated for their leadership as juniors.

[Hannabal 4]

Having heard Green and Frawley interviewed when they became AA's Frawley was obviously not going to be known for his speaking abilities however Brad was succinct and coherent.

It's amazing how Green's nomination in the squad of 40 has lead to him being elevated to AA status.

I keep hearing people refer to a player's speaking ability when discussing those best suited to the captaincy; and while I'm not deminishing the importance of being able to communicate and show the footy club in its best light, I place far more significance on what they do on the footy field.

Clubs don't always have on offer a player that other members in the team find inspirational. A player that could have you running through brick walls. One that stands up in big moments. A player that will drag their team over the line in a final. A player that intimidates the opposition in the manner of Matthews, Barassi, Carey, Nicholls and Jonathan Brown. And right now we don't either, although, as others have mentioned, our best candidates are too young. But unfortunately for me, despite Davey being the first to phone new recruits and showing great off field attributes, he'd be a poor choice as captain. He has never stood up in a final and too easily been nullified by minders. He's not strong over the footy when the heat is on. To give credit where it's due, he has improved this aspect of his game, but he's not my idea of captaincy in the most important two hours of the week. But as I acknowledge, none presently are.

If new recruits, or first year players, have equal voting rights to the more seasoned players then there's something wrong. Becoming captain shouldn't be a popularity contest. That said, I suspect that the final choice of captain from the group of highest vote getters is the senior coach's. As it should be.

[daisycutter 29,341]

If new recruits, or first year players, have equal voting rights to the more seasoned players then there's something wrong. Becoming captain shouldn't be a popularity contest. That said, I suspect that the final choice of captain from the group of highest vote getters is the senior coach's. As it should be.

One would hope that it's something along those lines.

[jarnott10 0]

I reckon Greeny or Davey this time and in a couple of years, frawley or grimes!

[agent_orange 0]

I reckon Greeny or Davey this time and in a couple of years, frawley or grimes!

Green is best. Last three years, the hardest faced by the club, Green was easily our hardest player and probably put his body on the line more than any other player.

[Grapeviney 9,538]

I'd like to see Sylvia in the leadership group - it might just push him to take the next step up and be the really great player he should be.

I reckon it will come down to Davey and Green. I'm gunning for the former but I think it will be the latter

[Demon3 2,541]

Green will get it and deserves it..

But, i reckon it's time to give the captaincy to a younger player, give him 10 years of leadership, we are still probably 3 years away from a flag shot, i think Grimes oozes leadership. Invest in the youth is what we have done, let one of them lead them to the promised land!

[Jumping Jack Clennett 1,749]

Green is best. Last three years, the hardest faced by the club, Green was easily our hardest player and probably put his body on the line more than any other player.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I agree, Agent O. He's taken more heavy head-knocks than any other Demon, but never shirked the issue next time it's "his turn". I was full of admiration when he returned after his fractured cheekbone in '09 and ran with the flight into an oncoming pack first match back.

He's been around under our last two excellent captains, and has learned to "talk the talk".

I'll be disappointed if he misses out.

[dee-eee 231]

Braddles for me.....a true "Captain Courageous " and in a couple of years the man with the Robbie Flower touch ........Jack Grimes ! Love Aaron of course but can often become distracted by a heavy tag.

[rpfc 28,052]

It's amazing how Green's nomination in the squad of 40 has lead to him being elevated to AA status.

I keep hearing people refer to a player's speaking ability when discussing those best suited to the captaincy; and while I'm not deminishing the importance of being able to communicate and show the footy club in its best light, I place far more significance on what they do on the footy field.

Clubs don't always have on offer a player that other members in the team find inspirational. A player that could have you running through brick walls. One that stands up in big moments. A player that will drag their team over the line in a final. A player that intimidates the opposition in the manner of Matthews, Barassi, Carey, Nicholls and Jonathan Brown. And right now we don't either, although, as others have mentioned, our best candidates are too young. But unfortunately for me, despite Davey being the first to phone new recruits and showing great off field attributes, he'd be a poor choice as captain. He has never stood up in a final and too easily been nullified by minders. He's not strong over the footy when the heat is on. To give credit where it's due, he has improved this aspect of his game, but he's not my idea of captaincy in the most important two hours of the week. But as I acknowledge, none presently are.

If new recruits, or first year players, have equal voting rights to the more seasoned players then there's something wrong. Becoming captain shouldn't be a popularity contest. That said, I suspect that the final choice of captain from the group of highest vote getters is the senior coach's. As it should be.

I agree with all of that and I was leaning toward Moloney only a few weeks ago, purely because of the expectations he places on his teammates and himself in those important two hours; he demands a willingness of the contest.

I have moved away from that because of various issues with off-field related expectations that are placed on the captain.

Green looks to be the best of an adequate lot, primarily because of his leadership on the field but he is on a par with Aaron in representing the club and apparently behind him with involvement in the club and the younger brigade (of which we have such high hopes).

It would be a difficult decision but as I have said before - I would understand either choice.

Edited December 12, 2010 by rpfc

[old dee 23,503]

I agree with all of that and I was leaning toward Moloney only a few weeks ago, purely because of the expectations he places on his teammates and himself in those important two hours; he demands a willingness of the contest.

I have moved away from that because of various issues with off-field related expectations that are placed on the captain.

Green looks to be the best of an adequate lot, primarily because of his leadership on the field but he is on a par with Aaron in representing the club and apparently behind him with involvement in the club and the younger brigade (of which we have such high hopes).

It would be a difficult decision but as I have said before - I would understand either choice.

Agree with you,

However I often wonder if the players get as excited as the fans about who is the Captain!

I am fairly confident that the choice will not cost us a place in the eight next year!

[Guest lambtotheslaughter]

AAron Davey for me

[Adam The God 29,416]

It's Green. No doubt about it.

[don cordner 199]

scully

[Green Machine 63]

Newton??

[The Jacks 0]

Davey for me.

The real leaders amongst the players are already doing what they do and that won't change very much. Sure, the player who eventually gets the nod might have a positive or negative reaction to the appointment, but the players who are already looked up to and already have a big influence around the club will still do so whether they are officially captain or not.

The real difference is in the public eye, and I think Davey would have the biggest (positive) impact on the club how it is perceived if made capatain as opposed to the others apparently in the frame to be chosen.

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

Davey for me.

The real leaders amongst the players are already doing what they do and that won't change very much. Sure, the player who eventually gets the nod might have a positive or negative reaction to the appointment, but the players who are already looked up to and already have a big influence around the club will still do so whether they are officially captain or not.

The real difference is in the public eye, and I think Davey would have the biggest (positive) impact on the club how it is perceived if made capatain as opposed to the others apparently in the frame to be chosen.

Good post

[Red Sox 2]

Agree with you,

However I often wonder if the players get as excited as the fans about who is the Captain!

I am fairly confident that the choice will not cost us a place in the eight next year!

Would be disappointed if the player who received the job didn't covet the role.

[dazzledavey36 52,883]

when all those kids got drafted this year davey was the first melbourne player to giv them all a call to congratulate them.

enough said davey for me.. the younger kids look up to him

[e25 5]

Is that all it takes to get the captaincy though?

I think others excel in that aspect, though not as much, whereas in the hardness stakes Davey cannot compare.

[hardtack 10,422]

Green is the current pin-up boy at the MFC and yes I know a lot of that is because of his Bluey win, but one thing that some may have overlooked, and which I think has much more bearing on his chances of stepping up to the captaincy, and that is the fact that on that same night he also won the Ron Barassi Jnr Trophy, otherwise known as the Leadership Award. And on top of that he was also awarded the Heart and Soul Player Award.

So, I am sure it will be Green with Moloney as his deputy.

Edited December 13, 2010 by hardtack