my moneys on Moloney being Captain. He had an off field indiscretion but through his actions on and off the field following that issue, Moloney displayed that he understod that behaviour was not to be tolerated and then backed it up with a B&F performance. His response to that situation spoke volumes to his character i believe. I think that over shadows his night out and Neeld would see that. Lets not get too hung up with this off field stuff. The real good captains are the ones that can lead by voice and by example. I think Moloney is the guy on the ground and in the rooms that will get in teh ears of the team or an individual. Forget the media fluff, its leadership in the trenches the club really needs now. Moloney is Neelds kind of guy

i read a lot of posts regarding moloneys media capabilities. thats the least of MFC worries at the moment. i wouldnt say Ling was ever going to be an eddie mcguire but he did a fair job as captain

my moneys on Moloney being Captain. He had an off field indiscretion but through his actions on and off the field following that issue, Moloney displayed that he understod that behaviour was not to be tolerated and then backed it up with a B&F performance. His response to that situation spoke volumes to his character i believe. I think that over shadows his night out and Neeld would see that. Lets not get too hung up with this off field stuff. The real good captains are the ones that can lead by voice and by example. I think Moloney is the guy on the ground and in the rooms that will get in teh ears of the team or an individual. Forget the media fluff, its leadership in the trenches the club really needs now. Moloney is Neelds kind of guy

You may be right, however...

Moloney wasn't the model of consistency in 2012 despite his finish in the Bluey and the Brownlow. Averaging 9 touches less in losses to wins (28 in wins 19 in losses - Footywire), in 2010 it was 5 touches less in losses. Jones averages half a possession less in losses, in both years.

That isn't to say he isn't the best candidate, but the waters are muddy when it comes to Moloney, just like every other candidate...

All roads lead to joint captaincy according to rpfc's eyes.

You may be right, however...

Moloney wasn't the model of consistency in 2012 despite his finish in the Bluey and the Brownlow. Averaging 9 touches less in losses to wins (28 in wins 19 in losses - Footywire), in 2010 it was 5 touches less in losses. Jones averages half a possession less in losses, in both years.

That isn't to say he isn't the best candidate, but the waters are muddy when it comes to Moloney, just like every other candidate...

All roads lead to joint captaincy according to rpfc's eyes.

Very interesting post RP, and if anything, highlights that Jones wouldn't be a bad choice as skipper. We know what we've got with him, from what I see he has onfield leadership, and from what I see offield (nb. I don't follow him on Stalkbook, only Twitter!), he always seems to get players involved in things, espeically the new recruits.

We saw with Junior tha tyou don't have to be the best player in the team to be a good captain, and Jones has that written all over him. I would be interested to know what Junior did behind the scenes that made him a good offield Captain (I obviously saw what he did onfield). Serious question - Can anyone tell me?

RP, you've probably posted it alrea, but who do you think the joint captains will be? I'm leaning toward Green and Grimes, with Grimes to do as much of it as his body will let him. If we get 22 games + finals out of him, he will earn the right for stand alone in 2013, but at least Greeny will be there should we not.

I can see Moloney, Grimes, and Trengove as the best leaders sharing a responsibility none deserve to have by themselves.

That is counterintuitive to my last post to have Moloney in there but there is beauty in nuance.

So, as he obviously has leadership qualities, what does he now lack that would be against him in earning the captain title?

I know you're referring to comments about him surfing, so I may be confusing your intentions, but quite simply Jones hasn't earned the right to captain. He had a much improved 2011, but he simply hasn't played well enough or reached the outstanding playing levels expected of a potential captain. And in that regard nor has Trengove. Let Jones concentrate on being a better footballer without bestowing honours upon him that are presently above his station.

i read a lot of posts regarding moloneys media capabilities. thats the least of MFC worries at the moment. i wouldnt say Ling was ever going to be an eddie mcguire but he did a fair job as captain

Ling has been a very accomplished media performer, but more importantly, he earnt the right through the respect of his teammates and the club.

I know you're referring to comments about him surfing, so I may be confusing your intentions, but quite simply Jones hasn't earned the right to captain. He had a much improved 2011, but he simply hasn't played well enough or reached the outstanding playing levels expected of a potential captain. And in that regard nor has Trengove. Let Jones concentrate on being a better footballer without bestowing honours upon him that are presently above his station.

Playing ability-wise, I would have Jones along way ahead of Junior at the same time in their careers, and in all honesty, Junior was never in our Top 5 players. But then come to think of it, neither is Nick Maxwell, neither was Tom Harley (he was along way from their Top 5), Brett Kirk would've been near it.

A lot on here don't rate Jones' onfield ability very highly, which we're all entitled to our own view. But as it currently stands, we have a lot of players who could, should and hopefully WILL be better than Jones, but they aren't...yet.

There's a lot less risk putting him in instead of Trengove, but the return of taking a risk with Trengove is undoubtedly greater.

Again, I think a Green/Grimes joint venture is the way to go.

Playing ability-wise, I would have Jones along way ahead of Junior at the same time in their careers, and in all honesty, Junior was never in our Top 5 players. But then come to think of it, neither is Nick Maxwell, neither was Tom Harley (he was along way from their Top 5), Brett Kirk would've been near it.

James McDonald's on-field exploits reached a level vastly superior to where Jones is now. There's no doubt that due to McDonald's initial slight frame and early knee reco that he took half a dozen years to find his feet, but the argument isn't to compare them after 6 years of footy, you compare them at the time McDonald was appointed captain. By the time McDonald was made captain he'd made the All Australian team as a midfielder and won 2 B&F's. How does that compare to Jones record ? Do you think anyone was advocating McDonald as captain after he'd played 6 seasons ? The notion of appointing him captain for 2003 is absurd. McDonald ultimately became captain in 2009. Nathan Buckley wrote an article years ago nominating McDonald as one of the competitions most underrated players and one of his most difficult opponents. McDonald was one of the best tacklers I've seen at Melbourne and far superior to Jones in this regard, which is an area of concern for me.

Jones had a good year last year. He had a B grade year, which was a step up for him, but the captaincy is presently well above his station.

And to compare Jones to people like Harley ? Have you ever heard Harley speak ? Are you aware of the respect he commanded at Geelong ? Harley was made captain at 28 in his 10th year in the AFL. I can understand that occasionally a defender, or a lesser player may captain a club due to other attributes they bring to the table. Occasionally it will make sense, but from a midfielder's perspective I'd expect them to be a long way ahead of a player like Jones. If he aspires to captaincy maybe he can aspire to reaching a much better playing level.

James McDonald's on-field exploits reached a level vastly superior to where Jones is now. There's no doubt that due to McDonald's initial slight frame and early knee reco that he took half a dozen years to find his feet, but the argument isn't to compare them after 6 years of footy, you compare them at the time McDonald was appointed captain. By the time McDonald was made captain he'd made the All Australian team as a midfielder and won 2 B&F's. How does that compare to Jones record ? Do you think anyone was advocating McDonald as captain after he'd played 6 seasons ? The notion of appointing him captain for 2003 is absurd. McDonald ultimately became captain in 2009. Nathan Buckley wrote an article years ago nominating McDonald as one of the competitions most underrated players and one of his most difficult opponents. McDonald was one of the best tacklers I've seen at Melbourne and far superior to Jones in this regard, which is an area of concern for me.

Jones had a good year last year. He had a B grade year, which was a step up for him, but the captaincy is presently well above his station.

And to compare Jones to people like Harley ? Have you ever heard Harley speak ? Are you aware of the respect he commanded at Geelong ? Harley was made captain at 28 in his 10th year in the AFL. I can understand that occasionally a defender, or a lesser player may captain a club due to other attributes they bring to the table. Occasionally it will make sense, but from a midfielder's perspective I'd expect them to be a long way ahead of a player like Jones. If he aspires to captaincy maybe he can aspire to reaching a much better playing level.

Point taken re Junior.

I'd rather a captain put in a B-grade year, more to the point, 22 B-grade performances, as opposed to 3 A-grade ones, followed by 2 D-grades, then 3-C grades, etc, etc. Using those players I named shows that you don'thave to be an A-grade player to be a captain.

I also question everyone's opinion to so confidently say what a player is like amongst his teammates, especially offield where the public don't have access to such happenings.

I have just watched the last 3 interviews of Jones on Dee TV. The latest one was with Ellie McKenzie, which are generally more light-hearted than informative. Then I watched his B&F speech, and the interview after the Gold Coast game. I see a bloke who is honest, wears his heart on his sleeve, is straight to the point, and would only need to tidy up in some very small areas, of which a little bit of media training would easily fix. While he has been called a meat-head on here, I think he's a lot like where Shane Crawford was around the same time in his career (in terms of media potential). That's my opinion, and I couldn't give a toss if you don't agree!

Point taken re Junior.

I'd rather a captain put in a B-grade year, more to the point, 22 B-grade performances, as opposed to 3 A-grade ones, followed by 2 D-grades, then 3-C grades, etc, etc. Using those players I named shows that you don'thave to be an A-grade player to be a captain.

I also question everyone's opinion to so confidently say what a player is like amongst his teammates, especially offield where the public don't have access to such happenings.

I have just watched the last 3 interviews of Jones on Dee TV. The latest one was with Ellie McKenzie, which are generally more light-hearted than informative. Then I watched his B&F speech, and the interview after the Gold Coast game. I see a bloke who is honest, wears his heart on his sleeve, is straight to the point, and would only need to tidy up in some very small areas, of which a little bit of media training would easily fix. While he has been called a meat-head on here, I think he's a lot like where Shane Crawford was around the same time in his career (in terms of media potential). That's my opinion, and I couldn't give a toss if you don't agree!

I don't consider him a meat-head and I'm pleased you don't give a toss if I disagree, as you shouldn't, although I'm not sure why the need to clarify.

Let's be happy to disagree.

I don't consider him a meat-head and I'm pleased you don't give a toss if I disagree, as you shouldn't, although I'm not sure why the need to clarify.

Let's be happy to disagree.

Happy to agree with that!

Amazing how WYL's comments about Jones not being the captain-type becuase he goes surfing has turned in to much more.

God we need this season to start!

You all have no idea about who will lead the club. I think i have a pretty thorough understanding of our entire list in and out, and here's how i think the group will look.

Skip: Jackson Trengove

Vice Skips: Jacquie Grimes-Braden Green

Other Ones: Brenton Moloney-Mike Jamar-Gerald Frawley

C; Trengove

VC: Grimes

LG: Moloney, Rivers, Frawley, Green

Colin Garland and Mitch Clarke into the Leadership group.http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2012/02/02/1226261/233693-mitch-clark.jpg

C - Frawley

VC - Trengove and Moloney

LG - Jamar, Jones, Green, Garland and Clark

What I want

C - Trengove

V - Grimes Jones

L - Moloney Watts Rivers

What I expect

C - Green

V - Moloney

L - Grimes Rivers Trengove Clark Jones

Colin Garland and Mitch Clarke into the Leadership group.http://resources1.ne...mitch-clark.jpg

Where are you getting that from?

Mark Neeld: "We've got a specific role for Mitch to play."

think it could mean more then just playing in the forward line?

Special press conference at 1:30 today, maybe captain announcement?

Special press conference at 1:30 today, maybe captain announcement?

im thinking more likely the announcement of the teams new medical staff

Old enough, according to Swooper.

Northey says a player's maturity is a far more accurate gauge of their readiness to captain than their age.

"Some people like 'Vossy' are mature at 21, others aren't mature until their 30s," Northey says.

Trengove is still the frontrunner IMO.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/128486/default.aspx

The Spencil

Beamer © JT (VC) Jamar (DVC)

I am yet to take a punt though, i will say

C - Green and Trengove

VC - Frawley, Moloney

LG - Clark, Watts, Grimes