6 hours ago, samcantstandya said:

Kade isn't captain material in my opinion, you need someone who is a certainty to play every week.

For your info, Chin has played 23 games in each of the past 3 seasons. Is solid, dependable, injury free and internally highly regarded. Only Trent Rivers and Ed Langdon have played more games in the past 3 seasons.

Edited 23 hours ago23 hr by John Crow Batty

41 minutes ago, DEE fence said:

Max's off field work with Trac, Oliver, MMM and everything else has been first class, he has a long media career ahead without doubt. I'm not sure the on-field role of leader is quite the same anymore, everything is about lines and roles, and leadership groups. Also I would ask are Gen Z+ are they really fussed about who is captain? (Genuine question, does it get a extra 2-3% performance out of the team). Captain has become much more about being a spokesperson for the club, which is a poison chalice at the best of times.. Max's public speaking ability is off the charts for a footballer, and TBH he really took some heat recently.

Once upon a time a hard nut like Viney would have been my first choice, but those days seem gone.

Really?

I personally cringe when Max speaks publicly to be honest.

Each to their own.

I still think it’s Levers to lose.

The only thing that’s preventing him from being next skip would be his body, really.

If he has a good pre season, gets confident in his body again, stays on the bloody park & can play good footy again then he’ll be an absolute shoe in after Max.

36 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Really?

I personally cringe when Max speaks publicly to be honest.

Each to their own.

I know you might not be able to publicly post some of your reasons, but I’m genuinely curious why you don’t rate Max as a skipper?

Not saying I necessarily disagree given how the past few years have gone (both on and off field), but ultimately if the players are voting him in he must be inspiring some level of confidence from the group

Edited 22 hours ago22 hr by demoncat

Infrequent visitor these days and can't be bothered going through all posts. Simply, Max should remain captain and for at least 5 years post retirement.

Some don't appreciate the gift we have with this man, and may never do so.

Honestly if we had an obvious replacement - not too young nor old, unlikely to get dropped and obvious leadership qualities - it may well be inspired to give that guy the chance and Gawn might appreciate just being a player. But who is he? With so much change at the club it might actually be wise to still have constants, like Gawn captaining anyway. And if next year is fairly smooth and most of the negativity's gone he might actually enjoy still being captain. I do think they need to look at the leadership group and see if improvements will help Melbourne start winning some close games and avoid that Saints nightmare. But Max must stay captain.

I think Lindsay is definitely future captain material.

16 hours ago, Demon Jack said:

I think that Max stays as captain for at least more season before someone new takes over.

I can't help but notice how prevalent and vocal with the group Kade Chandler has been in some of the recent output from the media team. Could he be a smokey?

Kade Chandler is an avarage player whose inconsistencies are many. LUCKY to get a game in 2026

11 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Never rated Max as a skipper and still dont.

In saying that, I think he will do one more year and then hand the bat over.

Daniel Turner would be my next pick, but keep an eye out for Xavier Lindsay over the next few years.

Rated internally highly for his leadership qualities at such a young age.

Every body has their own opinion but I have no idea what you want from a captain. Max number one (maybe of all time)

Max is the obvious choice....but if he was not captain, would he be be any less of a leader within the group?

Geelong took a chance on a Joel Selwood, disregard the age, he had all the qualities needed. Geelong had many options of great players.

Really think we need to develop leadership....and the only way to do that is giving someone the responsibility probably a bit before they are entirely ready.

Max if not captain, would likely be VC and assisting whoever gets the gig.

Honestly just pick a captain that gives good rev up in the huddle at the start of matches and we will be just fine.

Gawn has done a great job as a Captain , I think it is time to give it to someone else. Gawn can concentrate on being a champion footballer.

Players would have to vote but the final say would be the coach. Turner , Steele(short term) , Lindsay would be my picks.

I reckon Max does enjoy the odd personal accolade as well as being a great team man. Don’t think taking the captaincy from him would serve any good purpose for the club. It would be good to start grooming XL as a future captain though. (Other young players probably also potential leaders)

11 hours ago, ANG13 said:

It’s time for a new captain in my opinion, unfortunately not a lot to choose from to replace Max though.

I’m not in this camp as I still have no issue with Max being skipper but if they want to develop someone along side him then I’m happy with that

10 hours ago, Palace Dees said:

Simply, Max should remain captain and for at least 5 years post retirement.

A non-playing Captain would be unique and guaranteed to confuse the opposition. Let's do it!

16 hours ago, Cranky Franky said:

Definitely for renewal. Bring on Rivers & Chandler

Max has been a fantastic captain IMO.

Agree, Rivers and Chandler the succession path.

 With where western culture is at this point in time, servant leadership has evidence of driving superior team performance. Servant leadership is a philosophy where the leader's main goal is to serve their team, putting the needs of individuals within the team first to help them grow and perform at their best.

This philosophy says individuals within the team don’t need a formal title to be a leader. Koz is a great example. He’s developing very nicely as a leader of our indigenous players. He takes leadership during games to make things happen on behalf of the team. His unspoken leadership within Australia’s indigenous community is clear. Just look at the adoration of indigenous kids when around Koz – and his returned humbleness and lack of ego. Koz is exhibit A for Matthew Wheelin’s leadership. 

Poster comments about leadership exhibited by Chandler, Disco, Roo, Lever – all speak to servant leadership expectation that those without the formal title to step up and voice accountability. Viney’s character is such he will always exhibit leadership through actions without needing the formal title. 

In Max we are truly blessed – unprecedented player accolades, accomplished media communicator, high integrity, all round beautiful human being. 

That the Dees men’s program seriously under-performed in 2024 and 2025 necessitates questioning of leadership. President, Board and CEO leadership have been properly addressed. 

The reality is the Dee’s women’s program had a brilliant 2025 program when there was the same tumult with MFC President, Board and CEO. 

Max showed extraordinary servant leadership with coach Goodwin, delivering a flag in 2021. The players didn’t see daylight between the views of coach and captain, even on a personal player friendship basis. That’s integrity. However, it could be argued it appeared Max’s servant leadership prioritised serving the coach over the players. 

This coach-captain prioritisation was tested when some player on-field standards dropped on occasion in 2024/25 – as seen by we fans and publicly voiced by Trac. 

When Brad Green reported a key reason for Goodwin’s departure was that his voice no longer had the ears of the players, could this statement flow to Max as well? 

Leadership is never perfected. It is a life-long learning journey. No doubt Max’s leadership journey will grow under new coach, CEO and President. 

But it could also be time for a new voice. 

Ordered transition is good governance, good practice. None of us enjoyed the uncertainty, anxiety and public embarrassment of MFC’s recent changes of President Roffey and CEO Pert. 

Stability and good governance appear to have returned to the Melbourne Footy Club. I’m confident good governance and considered captain transition will prevail. 

We’ve needed a new captain for 2 years, big dopey jokey has run his race.

But if there was a window to hand over to Viney that’s certainly gone now, especially with him missing all of preseason to date.

Same goes for Lever. Can’t trust his body or his form.

Perhaps there was a window for Tracc to be humble enough to accept the challenge in 2024.

Petty’s another whose career trajectory in 21 looked like he could captain a side by now. I actually think he’s given it a fair crack as a forward in terms of on field effort under duress, even if the body language wasn’t always good. He could captain the side if he found his best form at CHB.

A Gawn-Chandler co captain year and hope we’re better placed next year?

15 hours ago, Dee-tonator said:

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

And with Max as captain, that's at least one thing that definitely ain't broke.

Are we a united team - No

Do we perform well under pressure - No

Do we exhibit all the little signs of well led teams (picking each other up, communication, backing each other up) - No

Were our players in great shape, indicating strong training culture in the offseason - Absolutely not

It’s far from Gawn’s fault, but the player leadership is really poor.

I tend to agree that Gawn has run his race. We fell back into a team of individuals since the flag and that is Gawn and Goodwin’s biggest failing. If I were King I’d be stamping TEAM on the forehead of the next Captain.

3 hours ago, hank said:

Every body has their own opinion but I have no idea what you want from a captain. Max number one (maybe of all time)

Ha. He wouldn't even be in my top 3 of best Melbourne captains I have seen in my time supporting the Dees.

1. Garry Lyon

2. David Neitz

3. Nathan Jones

Max is an absolute champion footballer in every aspect from an on-field work. But that doesn't automatically mean you are a great leader, and Max aint a great leader.

Would be interesting to see how Gawn performs as leader without turbulent players like Petracca and Oliver who with depressing regularity allowed our midfield to be slapped around all too often by no names for the past couple of seasons. Viney to a lesser extent is a culprit as well in our recent past disfunctional, ego driven and selfish midfield. Fresh faces to serve might rejuvenate him.

Edited 9 hours ago9 hr by John Crow Batty

1 hour ago, DeeSpencer said:

A Gawn-Chandler co captain year and hope we’re better placed next year?

2026 - Gawn & Rivers co-captains.

Vice captains - Lever, Viney, Chandler and Turner.

2027 - Gawn steps aside, then Lever and Viney also step aside

Captain - Rivers. Vice-captains Chandler, Turner & one of Lindsay, Langford or JVR.

Incredible story If Turner was the next captain given his pathway into the AFL, he’s had to be patient and now he is one of our better players

Matty Whelan’s response to the suggestion of Koz being captain at some point, verbatim…

(Laughs) “No chance. Not a chance. That’s never gonna happen… ever.”

Matty said he wouldn’t be surprised if Chin was one day given the captaincy. He said Chin would have to be the most dedicated player we have, and that he’s fully committed and invested. I said Chin is always so serious, even when having a lighthearted convo. Matty said that’s in his nature, even when they’re mucking around, play-fighting etc. Chin looks dead serious but everyone is used to it now.

Edit: forgot to mention… earlier I asked Koz what would happen should he one day be offered the captaincy. I can’t be sure but I think I saw a blood vessel burst in his eye 😁 JK. He actually said he doesn’t think that would happen but it’d be cool if they offered it to him. I said Oh so you’d accept it? He said nah but it’d be good to know they rate me <3

Edited 7 hours ago7 hr by Ghostwriter