I like it, especially with Chunk as vice-captain.

The idiot in me also likes the idea of numbers 31, 9, and 2 being the top three in the club ...

Very surprised at Jordie over Rodan. Can't help thinking it indicates the FD don't think Rodan will be playing a lot. Maybe he will be a fill in or a super sub. I thought his training reports indicated he might do more than that.

Also no Sylvia. Not a surprise, I guess, but still a disappointing reflection on the most naturally gifted player on the list. Doesn't surprise when you hear coaches saying sometimes in reviews when they ask him why he is standing out of position he answers that he doesn't know. Leadership groups do a lot of things nowadays.

I went to the Swans first intra club match last year. It was fascinating how much work the leaders were doing on the ground. Right down to guiding the younger players on exactly where to stand within the centimetre, so that they were in the correct position for the team structure. We can certainly do with plenty of that.

I was about to say "Too Many Chiefs" but Lost Highway beat me to it...

So 1/3 of our leadership group have represented the club in a grand total of 11 games for the club combined...

I don't warm to Trengove as Captain, for his own sake he shouldn't have the extra pressure.

Too many chiefs...

'Leadership' is a most over-used and over-rated phenomenon, a buzz word really, and 'leadership group' is, to me, almost an oxymoron. It is in the nature of things for a natural leader to emerge, such that the ensuing arrangement seems like the 'natural order'.

I prefer to think of these players as professional exemplars, with the emphasis on integrity and ethics. Instead, we'll have so many on the field that they will be leading each other silly.

These guys are also the 'indians'...

It's not as simple as 'leaders telling what others should do' it is a collection of professionals who will show others what is expected of them.

And natural leaders do emerge, but sometimes they are not exactly the people you want your players to emulate.

Having a pre-defined group of players enabled to give advice and enforce standards is very effective in my experience.

I was about to say "Too Many Chiefs" but Lost Highway beat me to it...

So 1/3 of our leadership group have represented the club in a grand total of 11 games for the club combined...

Two captains - that's the chiefs. Hardly too many.

So 1/3 of our leadership group have represented the club in a grand total of 11 games for the club combined...

Given our record in recent years, are you implying that is a bad thing?

Edited January 18, 201312 yr by sue

I really like the selections. I would of preferred to see Jamar in there over McKenzie (nothing against him, I like him), only because we already have 3 existing MIDS being Grimes (also DEF), Trengove and Jones. It would of been nice to see the Russian as coverage for the rucks. All in all very pleased to see Byrnes and Dawes.

seems big to me

more like a social club committee

Assuming that they were all selected any one week and were all on the ground at once, that amounts to HALF being leaders: should we name the other half as the FOLLOWERS GROUP?

Edited January 18, 201312 yr by monoccular

Im also not a big fan of 2 captains....it smacks of indecision, Trenners is a bit young with Blokes like Clark and Jones in the side, who i think are more natural captain material.

Would be happy with Grimes or Jones as captain and Trengove as vice with a view to taking over from either of these two one day.

Was hoping the 2 Captain thing would be curtailled...Oh well

But Happy that Dawes & Byrnes are straight in...It's why we got them...

So will we have a whole new season of stories that Jamar isnt happy at melbourne because he was thrown out of the leadership group, he isnt getting on with Neeldy or he just isnt happy full stop. I hope not.

But Im happy with the 2 captains and Jonsey is the obvious choice as vc. Now for all the criticism from the outside to begin.

Melbourne unveils new leadership group

Great inclusions! Thought Rodan would have snuck in but happy enough.

Well done to Jordie McKenzie as well! Very level headed person he is.

Well done to Jonesy as well!

Thoughts on the Russian making his way out?

Ever heard him interviewed?

Who are we to complain about a leadership group.

If we went by the players performance on and off the field prior to 2012.

We shouldn't have had more than 3 in the leadership group.

Now we have 9 and probably another 3 on the fringe of being named.

It says to me that as a group we are improving rapidly.

I do agree with the omission of Jamar. He had a woeful year on the ground,

although I can't say what he did or didn't do around the club.

He won AA on the back of his understanding with Moloney.

When Moloney didn't want to play last year, it left Jamar with no-one to play with.

I like the leadership group but they should have made Grimes captain with Trengove and Jones as his vice captains.

I like the leadership group but they should have made Grimes captain with Trengove and Jones as his vice captains.

Plus 3 others that would make 6, easily enough in my view.

At nine it is 40% of a side of 22 seems a little ridiculous to me.

But it is not the number that is important it is their abilities that counts.

With eight last year we had one real win,

so obviously it would not have matter if we had four or fifteen the results would have been the same.

At the end of the day IMO it does not matter just have guys who are good players.

Bit surprised Byrnes got in over Rodan, but otherwise pretty happy with the group. I really rate Jordie not just as a clubman but as a heart and sole team player. But I actually think he will develop into one of those players the team needs to perform.

Well done to all that got the nod.

At the end of the day IMO it does not matter just have guys who are good players.

... better still, who are good leaders.

Which seems to be the case here.

Plus 3 others that would make 6, easily enough in my view.

At nine it is 40% of a side of 22 seems a little ridiculous to me.

But it is not the number that is important it is their abilities that counts.

With eight last year we had one real win,

so obviously it would not have matter if we had four or fifteen the results would have been the same.

At the end of the day IMO it does not matter just have guys who are good players.

Wow.

That sort of attitude won't get us out of the bottom 4.

Plus 3 others that would make 6, easily enough in my view.

At nine it is 40% of a side of 22 seems a little ridiculous to me.

But it is not the number that is important it is their abilities that counts.

With eight last year we had one real win,

so obviously it would not have matter if we had four or fifteen the results would have been the same.

At the end of the day IMO it does not matter just have guys who are good players.

Your last sentence reminds me of the old saying about which is better, a team of champions or a champion team?

Strong leadership transforms behaviours and creates a high performance culture. Having good players is obviously essential, but with regards to them translating into great leaders, it's a fallacy.

Edited January 18, 201312 yr by McQueen

Im also not a big fan of 2 captains....it smacks of indecision, Trenners is a bit young with Blokes like Clark and Jones in the side, who i think are more natural captain material.

I'm sure you're in the best position to judge that.

I'm sure you're in the best position to judge that.

Im not in a position to judge anything, thats up to the club.

But in case you didnt notice, this is a forum where opinions are put forward and subjects discussed.

Personal attacks bring nothing to healthy debate.

Im not in a position to judge anything, thats up to the club.

".... it smacks of indecision"

Not judging?

Im not in a position to judge anything, thats up to the club.

But in case you didnt notice, this is a forum where opinions are put forward and subjects discussed.

Personal attacks bring nothing to healthy debate.

Wasn't intended as a personal attack, my apologies.

I'm just not sure how having co-captains smacks of indecision. Is there really any other option at the moment?

Wasn't intended as a personal attack, my apologies.

I'm just not sure how having co-captains smacks of indecision. Is there really any other option at the moment?

Nathan Jones. Head and shoulders above the rest.