http://www.melbourne...88/default.aspx

Happy to see the final call go to the coach and has been effectively taken out of the playing group's hands. Neeld is totally within his rights to make such a loaded statement about the captaincy but it really got me thinking.

Becoming captain and struggling both individually and with leadership... why would you snub the beginning of your club's pre-season to play exhibition games? It comes across to me like Brad has put himself ahead of his team with volunteering for the International Rules as he clearly has more pressing issues at the club he is supposed to be captaining.

I might be looking too far into it but I feel like the position Brad is in, he should be doing everything possible to make the most of the role he's been presented with and do everything possible to get best out of himself as an AFL footballer in 2012. That he'd rather be elsewhere playing a hybrid game of little to no significance, really rubs me up the wrong way.

What are your thoughts on this?

Ever taken time off work to attend training/do a course? Brad is captaining his country, it's a fantastic development opportunity.

What are your thoughts on this?

My thoughts are that leading a diverse group of young men, many of which you have barely met, is a very effective way of improving your leadership skills.

That's life experience speaking.

Well said, stinga & Chook.

yeah i've got absolutley no problem with any of our players playig in the Aus team. Put teh injury risk aside and they can only learn from playing with the Aus team and spending some time under a different coach or two

yeah i've got absolutley no problem with any of our players playig in the Aus team. Put teh injury risk aside and they can only learn from playing with the Aus team and spending some time under a different coach or two

I am struggling to see what they will learn, seems the same as playing for the Dees in 2011 lots of big losses!

Brad must think he is cursed!

Jack Trengove should be captain for the next 10 years

Jack Trengove should be captain for the next 10 years

I think he should at least be included in the leadership group for 2012.

I think its a healthy sign that Neeld & Co are wresting control back of the determination of such things. Quite plainly the players themselves have a fawning self interest in how they approach any selection of leader. Neeld will see it for exactly what it is, and who is whom.

Actually, I think Frawley will either be made captain or he definately will figure in the group.

I don't think anybody goes near the Leadership Group or Captaincy until after pre season has been conquered...at this point Nobody deserves anything...This is the perfect time to set a high standard for the next 10-15 years..

Our entire list has nothing more than potential compared to the Top Clubs of the comp.

I still think there will be a player vote, so the input of the players will still be there.

But like many, I hope we choose leaders that we want to lead the club and not just those that the players think provide leadership.

I thought Brad had a poor year as Captain. Having said that, he is not leading me or any of the Demonland posters - his role is to lead the players. Jack Grimes had a pointedly opposite view to me and said Brad was a really good captain.

My position is that I am no position to actually gauge whether or not Brad is an effective leader. Firstly I only have visibility from the outside as to his leadership on the field - the players are the one that hear it and see it first hand. Secondly, Onfield leadership is only part of the gig - I have zero insight into his off field leadership.

I think I am going to defer to people who have inside knowledge rather than me speculating as to Brad's worth from the outside.

RPFC..do yo know for certain theres still a vote ? I got the disntinct impression from Neeld it was the clubs call not the players now. I dont understand at all the idea of voting fo a captain.. What army's soldiers pick its General.

Im all for an appointed captain myself.

RPFC..do yo know for certain theres still a vote ? I got the disntinct impression from Neeld it was the clubs call not the players now. I dont understand at all the idea of voting fo a captain.. What army's soldiers pick its General.

Im all for an appointed captain myself.

It's just one of those things that are done at all levels now.

I don't think it is necessary to make the decision, but I see it as valuable up until the point of the vote - as, in my experience, the 'contenders' are pushing themselves to be do more and to give more to influence their teammates.

After the blind vote is taken the coaches use it as much or as little as they like.

Ususally the best leaders are known to the players and the coaches - sometimes you have a vacuum...

I think Neeld should take the results of the player vote with a shaker of salt...

The coach will choose the best communicators for the Leadership Group....I don't think any voting is necessary. Certainly didn't work last year.

After the blind vote is taken the coaches use it as much or as little as they like.

So in reality its really just for show ?

Ususally the best leaders are known to the players and the coaches - sometimes you have a vacuum...

I think Neeld should take the results of the player vote with a shaker of salt...

I get the distinct idea Neeld will very much sit back ( in a fasion ) and see what cream rises to the top. He wont be fooled. I think he'll be well accustomed to using his cruet.

I confess i invariably place no faith in a team selecting its captain.

So in reality its really just for show ?

I get the distinct idea Neeld will very much sit back ( in a fasion ) and see what cream rises to the top. He wont be fooled. I think he'll be well accustomed to using his cruet.

I confess i invariably place no faith in a team selecting its captain.

Teams don't select the captain; they vote on the leadership group. And I don't trust these blokes to know a leader...

But it has an impact on what the coaches think, well it has in my experience...

Teams don't select the captain; they vote on the leadership group. And I don't trust these blokes to know a leader...

But it has an impact on what the coaches think, well it has in my experience...

I supose it would offer an invaluable insight for the coaches to be aware of how the players see themselves. It might clarify influences and as such enable a astute coach(s) the opportunity to bettter match younger older mentor type pairings.

It concerns me I suppose that given the fairly broad pallete of experience and personalities within a club's playing group that there is a possibility that some who are voting really have no idea about it. A possibility of the 'sheep' effect.

Given there is no self serving attached to any ajudications by the coach(staff) they are more likely to have a better persecive of not only who lead, and who are led but who amongst the leaders would make the best choice as captain.

I understand the position taken by some who profer the ideals of self empowerment and the like , but Im not convinced its appropriate to a professional team situation..

it wil be interesting to see who are included in 2012's leadership and who assumes the mantel.