Jump to content

The Captaincy

Featured Replies

Posted

I've been thinking about this for some time and I've concluded that it's in the interests of the club and of our skipper for many years that we have a change of captain for next year.

The winds of change are blowing through the club as it is and with Neita in his final years I think the club should be looking at a role similar to that which Alistair Lynch had in his last two or three eyars with the Lions. He was used in the last line of attack and used sparingly. He was often rested during a match and usually missed the long interstate trips. As a result Brisbane got the most out of him and it extended his career. The same should be done with Neita but it can only be done if he takes off the mantle of official team leader - he's going to lead in his own way on the forward line whether or not he has the title!

Despite those altercations overseas and his ordinary leadership debut against the Tigers this year, I'd give the job to Brock McLean - he has what it takes.

 
Despite those altercations overseas and his ordinary leadership debut against the Tigers this year, I'd give the job to Brock McLean - he has what it takes.

Good points Freddy, and I agree we should be trying to get the most out of Neita. What I've heard and read into the whole caper is that the Europe thing has pretty much cost Brocky any shot he had at the job next year. With that said, however, I think that you can lock him in for the job in 2009, notwithstanding a disastrous season for him in 2007. Which is probably a good course to take, really. I think Brock needs to put another season into his game before he takes on the top leadership role. The noises being made suggest to me that Neitz will be the man again in 08, but that will DEFINITELY be it.

i just think if neita has another injury interrupted season next year we've gone backwards leadership wise... i think the job should be given to Brad Green, then give it to Brock or Nath Jones in about 3 years time...

 
i just think if neita has another injury interrupted season next year we've gone backwards leadership wise... i think the job should be given to Brad Green, then give it to Brock or Nath Jones in about 3 years time...

yes i agree

I'd be happy for McLean to captain the club from next year.

One thing is for certain though, after Neitz I don't want any other captain of the MFC other than Brock McLean.


2008 - Neitz

2009 - McLean (might be a year too soon, if so McDonald for a year or two)

Apologies to Bruce and Green but, as Hannabal implied, you can only follow Neitz with someone with tangible leadership ability.

why not give it to brock mclean this year

we have a new coach, a whole new football department, the list has changed a fair bit, things are chainging off-field, in the board room

for the good of the club, brocky needs to stand up now and take charge of things, and he will be captain for the next 7-10 years!!!

whilst neita mightn't be the captain on paper, do you really think he would change his style and presence around the club? let him "mentor" brock in the role, which would be a better outcome than neita retiring at the end of 2008, and throwing mclean into the deep end with cam bruce and brad green as his 2 senior players to look up to...

brocky for 08

why not give it to brock mclean this year

we have a new coach, a whole new football department, the list has changed a fair bit, things are chainging off-field, in the board room

for the good of the club, brocky needs to stand up now and take charge of things, and he will be captain for the next 7-10 years!!!

whilst neita mightn't be the captain on paper, do you really think he would change his style and presence around the club? let him "mentor" brock in the role, which would be a better outcome than neita retiring at the end of 2008, and throwing mclean into the deep end with cam bruce and brad green as his 2 senior players to look up to...

brocky for 08

As tempting as it may seem, the Captaincy is quite a burden for a bloke who struggled a bit last season, and then got into some embarrassment last month.

It will be especially gruelling for a new captain to take over as the 150 celebrations will mean alot of commitments for the captain and I think the club has come to the realisation that only Neitz could handle it next year.

 

Some thrive with the pressure of the captaincy, others do not, would brock thrive next year with the added responsibility, i think he would do a good job provided he does not fall into the trap of thinking "i'm captain i have to do everything"

If not Neitz i'd throw chook in the deep end.

Since it's a year of change with a new coach and new assistants it's time for Neita to step down and for us to develop a new leadership. I agreed with Freddy.


I believe we need to take it off Neiter. If he was giving it up we would know by now.

I think we should punt on Green or Bruce and make them live up to the promise.

I cant split them but my gut goes for Green.

Then it is up to brock to wrench it off the incumbent. If he does it in one year, good on him.

I believe Bailey has to influence this issue, in conjuction with the player leadership group.

Rip the scab off it and do it soon.

I will support his input and final decision.

It is best for Nieter, the leadership group and the supporters.

You need to factor in the additional off-field responsibilities of the captain during our 150 year anniversary. Too much of a burden for a new captain.

Neitz for 1 more year, then McLean.

Brock needs to get his head & body right first get back to basics well before any talk of captaincy.

I agree.

You want to be able to invest 110% complete faith in a captain, and I for one wouldn't be able to do that with Brock just yet.

I don't think we can simply say 'Neitz for one more year and then Brock for 2009' because a number of things could happen next year ie. a shocking season from Brock, someone else stepping up to the plate moreso than Brock or, heaven forbid, more off-field antics from Brock.

Now perhaps I'm taking the extreme option here, but I think simply concluding that Brock should captain in '09 when we're currently in 2007 is even more ridiculous.

Speak to me at the end of '08!

I'd be happy for McLean to captain the club from next year.

One thing is for certain though, after Neitz I don't want any other captain of the MFC other than Brock McLean.

Agree 100%

Brock is the best leader we have apart from Neita. Giving the leadership to anyone else will be settling for second best.

So either make Neita go around again, or take a bit of a risk and give it to Brock. What's the worse that could happen?


I think Brock would make a great leader...in a year or 2's time. Some players (and brock may not find this true but) struggle at an early age with being given the captaincy. He struggled in 2007, no fault of his own but i think you can rush a player into being captain and if they fail, it can add some time to their development. Captancy is a big thing and requires a lot of knoweledge about the game and extra effort both on field and off. Im not doubting that brock would be a terrific captain...what he did against st kilda in 06 was inspirational. However i think that there is a good chance a young player with limited afl experience would struggle being given it too early. My choice for captain would be Green or McDonnald.

McLean in 2009. He's not ready for it next year.

QFT.

QFT.

What about Bruce and Green as Co captain for this year only. It would share the load for what will be and arduous year.

I like Brock but I think he is still has to get consistent particularly with his body.

I'd also like to take some of the pressure away from neita let him concemtrate on footy and his aging body.

When is anyone truly ready to become Captain ? This club needs a hard nosed attitude from a hard nosed leader. And if it's a year or so "too soon", so be it.

I'll spew up if Green, Bruce, or anyone else captains this club after Neitz.


When is anyone truly ready to become Captain ? This club needs a hard nosed attitude from a hard nosed leader. And if it's a year or so "too soon", so be it.

I'll spew up if Green, Bruce, or anyone else captains this club after Neitz.

Correct weight, Hannabal! A good leader will step up no matter whether they are "ready" or not. McLean looks the man for the job-and why not next year? New coach, new captain, new era!

...He was used in the last line of attack...

wouldnt that be the first line of attack? lol :unsure:

When is anyone truly ready to become Captain ? ...

im going to go out on a limb here and use the example of brad miller. he looked like being a reasonable footballer with leadership potential until he was talked up by everyone, elevated to the leadership group and made one of the faces of melbourne (ie on the membership cards) which is when he started to struggle.

i agree with you hannabal, good leaders will rise to it, and i think brock will be a good leader. but i dont want to cruel him under an unneeded burden if we dont have to, and i hope the footy dept can sit make and make a decision about whether they think he will survive with the title or not.

on another note, did they wait until February this year to announce if neitz would be captain again? i wonder if that suggests they were thinknig about changing it last year?

I agree that Brock's the logical choice, but think he needs another season. The worry, for me, is that you dont want your captain to be tagged out of a game the way Brock was this year. I have every confidence he'll learn to shake a tagger, but I'd rather see him do it without any added pressure. That's basically the only thing that worries me- his exploits at the end of year trip were a storm in a teacup and should have no bearing on the decision.

I'd spew if they even thought of giving it to Bruce, but I'd understand giving it to Green in a transitional role- the only problem is it might create an awkward situation if he does a decent job between now and when Brock is ready: Brock is obviously the better choice, but how do you strip someone of the captaincy when they've done nothing wrong, and what effect will it have on their morale? If Neitz doesnt want it next year (sounds like he'd have preferred to hand it over but wont get to), then I think J-Mac is the perfect stopgap solution until Brock is ready: he'd do a fine job, he's old enough that he'd be ready to hand it over in a year or two, and from a sentimental point of view he deserves the honour.

 

We need a leader now. Neiter is lucky to hang onto his spot.

Brock is not yet ready.

If it is to be Brock, so be it, but the worst thing is that nothing happens.

Neitz = Nothing. IMO he should have retired.

No news on the captaincy and no strongly worded claim on the presidents position as well....

Whats going on?

When does training start?

We need a leader now. Neiter is lucky to hang onto his spot.

Brock is not yet ready.

If it is to be Brock, so be it, but the worst thing is that nothing happens.

Neitz = Nothing. IMO he should have retired.

No news on the captaincy and no strongly worded claim on the presidents position as well....

Whats going on?

When does training start?

Please don't say Neitz is nothing cause alot of people love the big fella and might get angry (me included) but i am in no mood 2 argue as i just popped a tyre driving ANYWAYS what i feel about this situation is that Neitz plays his possibly last year in the clubs 150th year as our captain in seize of unstopple glory showing his pride for the club and his burning desire for the club playing all 22 games plus finals then retiring while still in fantastic form. This may seem biaesed or unrealistic but im not talking about kicking 8 goals a game im talking about Neitz putting his body on the line and crunching some bodies kicking 2-5 goals a game setting an example for the new kids and remember that a fit Neitz is a very very good player.

In terms of who takes after Neitz atm i would say Green because Mclean doesnt quite look ready on the field and is a long way off off the field.

So in short:

2008 --> Neitz

2009-2010 ---> Green

2011 (and onwards) ----> Brock Mclean

This way Brock is prematurly thrown into the deep in and Green who has played some of his best footy as captain can strut his stuff for that period until Brock is ready and Neitz gets his final year of glory which he throughly deserves.


Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Featured Content

  • GAMEDAY: Essendon

    It’s Game Day, and the Demons are staring down the barrel of an 0-5 start for the first time since 2012 as they take on Essendon at Adelaide Oval for Gather Round. In that forgettable season, Melbourne finally broke their drought by toppling the Bombers. Can lightning strike twice? Will the Dees turn their nightmare start around and breathe life back into 2025?

      • Like
    • 23 replies
    Demonland
  • PREVIEW: Essendon

    As the focus of the AFL moves exclusively to South Australia for Gather Round, the question is raised as to what are we going to get from the  Melbourne Football Club this weekend? Will it be a repeat of the slop fest of the last three weeks that have seen the team score a measly 174 points and concede 310 or will a return to the City of Churches and the scene where they performed at their best in 2024 act as a wakeup call and bring them out of their early season reverie?  Or will the sleepy Dees treat their fans to a reenactment of their lazy effort from the first Gather Round of two years ago when they allowed the Bombers to trample all over them on a soggy and wet Adelaide Oval? The two examples from above tell us how fickle form can be in football. Last year, a committed group of players turned up in Adelaide with a businesslike mindset. They had a plan, went in confidently and hard for the football and kicked winning scores against both home teams in a difficult environment for visitors. And they repeated that sort of effort later in the season when they played Essendon at the MCG.

    • 0 replies
    Demonland
  • PREGAME: Essendon

    Facing the very real and daunting prospect of starting the season with five straight losses, the Demons head to South Australia for the annual Gather Round, where they’ll take on the Bombers in search of their first win of the year. Who comes in, and who comes out?

      • Like
    • 489 replies
    Demonland
  • NON-MFC: Round 05

    Gather Round is here, kicking off with a Thursday night blockbuster as Adelaide faces Geelong. The Crows will be out for redemption after a controversial loss last week. Saturday starts with the Magpies taking on the Swans. Collingwood will be eager to cement their spot in the top eight, while Sydney is hot on their heels. In the Barossa Valley, two rising sides go head-to-head in a fascinating battle to prove they're the real deal. Later, Carlton and West Coast face off at Adelaide Oval, both desperate to notch their first win of the season. The action then shifts to Norwood, where the undefeated Lions will aim to keep their streak alive against the Bulldogs. Sunday’s games begin in the Barossa with Richmond up against Fremantle. In Norwood, the Saints will be looking to take a scalp when they come up against the Giants. The round concludes with a fiery rematch of last year's semi-final, as the Hawks seek revenge for their narrow loss to Port Adelaide. Who are you tipping this week and what are the best results for the Demons besides us winning?

      • Haha
    • 189 replies
    Demonland
  • CASEY: Geelong

    There was a time in the second quarter of the game at the Cattery on Friday afternoon when the Casey Demons threatened to take the game apart against the Cats. The Demons had been well on top early but were struggling to convert their ascendancy over the ground until Tom Fullarton’s burst of three goals in the space of eight minutes on the way to a five goal haul and his best game for the club since arriving from Brisbane at the end of 2023. He was leading, marking and otherwise giving his opponents a merry dance as Casey grabbed a three goal lead in the blink of an eye. Fullarton has now kicked ten goals in Casey’s three matches and, with Melbourne’s forward conversion woes, he is definitely in with a chance to get his first game with the club in next week’s Gather Round in Adelaide. Despite the tall forward’s efforts - he finished with 19 disposals and eight marks and had four hit outs as back up to Will Verrall in the second half - it wasn’t enough as Geelong reigned in the lead through persistent attacks and eventually clawed their way to the lead early in the last and held it till they achieved the end aim of victory.

    • 0 replies
    Demonland
  • REPORT: Geelong

    I was disappointed to hear Goody say at his post match presser after the team’s 39 point defeat against Geelong that "we're getting high quality entry, just poor execution" because Melbourne’s problems extend far beyond that after its 0 - 4 start to the 2025 football season. There are clearly problems with poor execution, some of which were evident well before the current season and were in play when the Demons met the Cats in early May last year and beat them in a near top-of-the-table clash that saw both sides sitting comfortably in the top four after round eight. Since that game, the Demons’ performances have been positively Third World with only five wins in 19 games with a no longer majestic midfield and a dysfunctional forward line that has become too easy for opposing coaches to counter. This is an area of their game that is currently being played out as if they were all completely panic-stricken.

    • 0 replies
    Demonland