Jeff White says: Lack of senior leadership to blame

[Jaded No More 68,974]

As per usual, the weekly Monday excuses and blame games have been rolled out.

This week, Jeff White fronted the cameras to let us all know that the senior leaders of the club are to blame for our loss and indeed our poor form.

So far this year we've had:

-Injuries

-Players letting the coach down

-Not being ready to play

-Having a losing mentality

-Losing concentration

-Over-possessing

-Not running and carrying enough

-Running and carrying too much

-Senior players not putting in

-Everyone not putting in

That is an impressive list of excuses.

Now, just back onto the leadership issue. This is hardly the first time we have had problems with a lack of leadership.

We've had players like Yze and White leading our club for years, because they were good players, not because they were good leaders.

Apart from Neitz who has been a consistently good captain, but who can only do so much from FF, we haven't had a really great leader at the MFC for a long long time. The fact that we have to consider Bruce for the role says it all. He might be a good player, but he does not have the sort of leadership traits that makes someone a great leader of the pack. He is also not a big-game player.

It seems that the players in our side who show most leadership, are all 23 and under. McLean being the obvious one, but also Jones, Bell, Rivers and even Bartram have shown the determination that all leaders require.

So maybe, just maybe, we are not destined for glory or success until these players mature and are given the responsibility of leading the club. Because as Jeff White said, our senior leaders are not pulling their weight, and that is hardly news.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

Yep. As Jaded said, after the West Coast game his facial expression was as dire as I've seen it, and that's including when he had it caved in. It takes a bit of guts for a mature leader at the club to come out and say that the leaders weren't putting in. To be honest, I think this is one of the rare times where a player's reason for failed performances is given and I wholeheartedly agree with it... We can umm and aah about the coach, injuries, supporters, draw etc etc... the one TRULY unacceptable thing so far this season is how the leaders who have been out there have done anything BUT lead. Brock comes in and leads from the front, and the contrast is startling, and more than a little worrying.

Good on Jeff for saying that, but obviously I'm not gonna pat him on the back TOO much.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

There is no excuse.

It's just that “footy sucks sometimes” remember?

[waynewussell 6,237]

they are only excuses if they aren't accurate explanations of what went wrong. I'd say four or five of those listed are, in fact, accurate indicators.

[Gorgoroth 13,019]

same old same old, dont care what you have to say only care what you do

[praha 11,240]

And to think Miller would have one day captain this club

[CHAMP 347]

As per usual, the weekly Monday excuses and blame games have been rolled out.

This week, Jeff White fronted the cameras to let us all know that the senior leaders of the club are to blame for our loss and indeed our poor form.

So far this year we've had:

-Injuries

-Players letting the coach down

-Not being ready to play

-Having a losing mentality

-Losing concentration

-Over-possessing

-Not running and carrying enough

-Running and carrying too much

-Senior players not putting in

-Everyone not putting in

That is an impressive list of excuses.

You have left out the perennial "being a bit flat". One of my personal favourites because it may or may not embody elements of not being ready to play, poor concentration, not putting in satisfactorily and has the added benefit of not being too specific .

[Jaded No More 68,974]

they are only excuses if they aren't accurate explanations of what went wrong. I'd say four or five of those listed are, in fact, accurate indicators.

And apart from injuries, we should be able to control and fix all of these 'indicators', instead of coming out every week with something new to add to our list of problems.

[Jarka 767]

I completely agree with White, our senior players have been letting us down and let's face it, nothing will change untill that whole generation retires because Daniher will continue to play them. Leadership issues has been our achilles heal for the last 5 years.

[deanox 9,989]

i was impressed with nathan jones' leadership on sunday arvo...

[Yze_Magic 3]

Lack of leadership has been our downfall ever since the days of Garry Lyon

Garry had good support in the leadership department, while poor old Neita has had to stand alone as our leader for his entire time as MFC captain. Not one person in the last 8 years has stood up to say "I want to be the next skipper"

[kramer 0]

i was impressed with nathan jones' leadership on sunday arvo...

his disposal needs some work

[fired up 77]

No disrespect to Neita i think these days a captin or leader should play in the midfeild or back to direct, inspire and lead way when the heats on.

GL and DN captins at FF great leaders lift team.

Viney in centre in and under hard all day

Who inspires most.

[Jaded No More 68,974]

Not one person in the last 8 years has stood up to say "I want to be the next skipper"

I think you'll find that Brock McLean did.

He declared himself an option in the papers last year, and then went on to back it up every week on the field, and in the finals, and yesterday when he picked up 22 disposals in half a game.

We do have leadership at the club, but it comes in the form of a few inexperienced kids.

[brey9186 102]

Jared Rivers at CHB is a perfect spot for a captain, would prefer just the one captain (Brock from 08' forever) but if the club follows the current trend of co-captains, Rivers would be the next choice if we choose to "skip" a generation

[Gorgoroth 13,019]

agree jaded mclean stands out so much its scary

neitz is a good captain, not a great one, lyon would trow himself to CHF when the game was in the balance and steam in and lay a massive tackle or hit, neitz just doesnt do this

[Still Waiting 94]

The leadership problem will only be fixed when Brock McLean is appointed captain next season.His deputy should be Jonesy.These two guys are the hard nuts of a future change in thinking at Demonland.If this change does not occur along with the release of Daniher then we will not play finals for a few years!We absolutely need to divest the list of some quite skilled, but fairly soft middle age and older players.Just have a look at Brocky's face in the media when we were getting our pants lowered over the past month or so.These two must be kept,rewarded and promoted so that other younger players that join our club observe early, what is required to be a success at this level.Some of our experienced "stars" are losing their appeal to other clubs by insipid performances week in week out.Their tradeability is weakening.Make some decisions Dees or suffer more embarassment; and dont we need that at present.

[45HG 1,559]

gave up on the leadership group a few years ago when green, bruce and miller were included. still waiting for them to get serious, and honest, about the leadership group

[beelzebub 23,383]

geez...c'mon !! aren't we taking this one week at a time ?

[45HG 1,559]

just got to take it one game at a time, with a good four quarter effort with 110% effort on the ball with full marks to the opposition and yeah nah

[Gorgoroth 13,019]

yep im taking each farcical loss one week at a time

[Dee*ceiving 1,690]

i was impressed with nathan jones' leadership on sunday arvo...

Agreed, Nath looks to be a natural leader. And that bald head is teriffic.

[tooly 0]

Sorry guys, but i have been to my last game this week, will work weekends

[Jonesy is the next captain 0]

As per usual, the weekly Monday excuses and blame games have been rolled out.

This week, Jeff White fronted the cameras to let us all know that the senior leaders of the club are to blame for our loss and indeed our poor form.

So far this year we've had:

-Injuries

-Players letting the coach down

-Not being ready to play

-Having a losing mentality

-Losing concentration

-Over-possessing

-Not running and carrying enough

-Running and carrying too much

-Senior players not putting in

-Everyone not putting in

I would actually call them honest facts and good on Jeff White for being blatantly honest. We have had many injuries, the players are clearly not listening, they are clearly handballing way too much, and everyone is generally lacking. How are they excuses and not just plain facts?

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

I would actually call them honest facts and good on Jeff White for being blatantly honest. We have had many injuries, the players are clearly not listening, they are clearly handballing way too much, and everyone is generally lacking. How are they excuses and not just plain facts?

They are excuses that they are using to justify their mediocre performances with.