With Neita on the long term injury list

[The Red Fox 216]

The elected leadership group consisted of:

David Neitz (captain), Cameron Bruce, Brad Miller, Brock McLean, Adem Yze, James McDonald and Russell Robertson.

Of those Neita is injured, Yze can't get a game, and McLean has been temporarily demoted.

That leaves us with Bruce, Miller, McDonald & Robbo.

So who should lead us through the next two months and beyond?

[mikeod 21]

I think Bailey will go for McDonald - which for mine would be the right choice.

[Swampfox 190]

McDonald

[Nasher 33,616]

I'd give it to McLean if he weren't such a bonehead.

In preference order of the current leadership group

Bruce

Miller (yes I have changed my mind since last week)

McDonald

I'd spew if it were Robbo, and it definitely won't be Yze.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Rivers.

[Dannyz 2,760]

Gotta be McDonald.

Good leader.

[Jaded No More 68,950]

I'd give it to McLean if he weren't such a bonehead.

In preference order of the current leadership group

Bruce

Miller (yes I have changed my mind since last week)

McDonald

I'd spew if it were Robbo, and it definitely won't be Yze.

You have to be kidding me. Who cares what he did during the off-season, it has had ZERO effect on his form to date and he is leading our club in contested possessions. He got punished, he learnt his lesson. Time to move on.

I assure you that being a 'bonehead' has never stood in the way of great leaders like Jonathan Brown, Ben Cousins or Barry Hall.

He is a much better leader and a far more influential player than Bruce, Miller and McDonald combined.

What the hell is the point of appointing a 28 year old Cameron Bruce, who can barely hit a target, to the captaincy? And don't even mention McDonald. Do we really want a 17-rounds captain?

Either rotate the captaincy, or just give it to McLean. If he can't hack it, or if he stuffs up, we make a change.

If we're going to move forward as a list and as a club, we have to entrust our younger players with more responsibility. We all know they are our only hope.

By the way, given that McLean was part of the leadership meeting today, I assume he's already been reinstated.

[Nasher 33,616]

You have to be kidding me. Who cares what he did during the off-season, it has had ZERO effect on his form to date and he is leading our club in contested possessions. He got punished, he learnt his lesson. Time to move on.

I assure you that being a 'bonehead' has never stood in the way of great leaders like Jonathan Brown, Ben Cousins or Barry Hall.

Unfortunately I'm not kidding, and I don't disagree with anything you have said there, but to appoint him as captain would be hypocritical to say the least, not to mention being a kick in the guts to the rest of the players and the leadership group who have routinely done the right thing.

Beyond that, what's the point of disciplining someone if you're not going to stick to it.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

McLean needs to focus solely on his footy right now, the less distractions for him the better.

[Dannyz 2,760]

McLean needs to focus solely on his footy right now, the less distractions for him the better.

yeah good post.

Give it to McDonald. We all know he will do the job. Passionate about the club, tough player etc.

[dee-luded 2,959]

The elected leadership group consisted of:-

David Neitz (captain), Cameron Bruce, Brad Miller, Brock McLean, Adem Yze, James McDonald and Russell Robertson.

Of those Neita is injured, Yze can't get a game, and McLean has been temporarily demoted.

That leaves us with Bruce, Miller, McDonald & Robbo.

So who should lead us through the next two months and beyond?

David Neitz (captain) , Cameron Bruce, Brad Miller, Brock McLean, Adem Yze, James McDonald and Russell Robertson.

For what It's worth, I'd like to see a rotation between, James McDonald, Brad Miller, Brock McLean. edit :- Rivers

[titan_uranus 25,020]

Rivers.

I like it. But, considering he's not a poll option, I vote for Bruce. Not because I want it, but because I think that's what will happen (saw him giving a press conference today).

[Jaded No More 68,950]

Unfortunately I'm not kidding, and I don't disagree with anything you have said there, but to appoint him as captain would be hypocritical to say the least, not to mention being a kick in the guts to the rest of the players and the leadership group who have routinely done the right thing.

Beyond that, what's the point of disciplining someone if you're not going to stick to it.

Well, as long as they don't misbehave off the field, who cares how old/ordinary/skill-less they are

Do we want a captain who actually does the hard things consistently? Do we want a captain who will put his balls on the line every time? Do we want a captain who influences matches in the midfield? Do we want a captain who will be at the club in 2, 5, 7 years time?

If the answer is yes, then appoint McLean.

Hypocritical would be to appoint Junior when we are focusing on youth. Hypocritical would be to appoint Bruce when we are focusing on actually being able to hit a target.

Enough of this soft and safe mentality. Give McLean the job, and if he stuffs up, he stuffs up. Big deal. We can't do much worse anyway.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

You have to be kidding me. Who cares what he did during the off-season, it has had ZERO effect on his form to date and he is leading our club in contested possessions. He got punished, he learnt his lesson. Time to move on.

I assure you that being a 'bonehead' has never stood in the way of great leaders like Jonathan Brown, Ben Cousins or Barry Hall.

Sponsors, coaching staff, leadership group and supporters do What his off field antics show is his lack of maturity and judgment that make a leader. He has said he wants the leadership so let him show he is worth it.

As for your examples:

Jonathan Brown is great footballer but is only started out as a leader. He is not great and hardly a bonehead incident.

Ben Cousins and his endeavours has almost single handly destroyed his career, destroyed his captaincy and left a gaping hole in his old club.

Barry Hall is not a great leader. Could have been but wont. If the AFL tribunal had adjudged correctly, Hall should have a holiday after his jumper punch and the Swans lost the GF in 2005. And recently a dumb ass act. Flawed persona there.

Also in another sport there's a good reason why Warne with a wonderful cricket brain and dazzling Australian spinner never captained Australia. Why???

Either rotate the captaincy, or just give it to McLean. If he can't hack it, or if he stuffs up, we make a change.

If we're going to move forward as a list and as a club, we have to entrust our younger players with more responsibility. We all know they are our only hope.

By the way, given that McLean was part of the leadership meeting today, I assume he's already been reinstated.

I suggest rotate the captaincy amongst Green, Bruce, McLean and Miller. If McLean is that good he will earn it. Hell, it was only 3 weeks ago he was struggling for his spot. He has this season to show he is worth it.

[QueenC 74]

I suggest rotate the captaincy amongst Green, Bruce, McLean and Miller. If McLean is that good he will earn it. Hell, it was only 3 weeks ago he was struggling for his spot. He has this season to show he is worth it.

I went for Green (despite the obvious issues), but this answer actually works for me.......

I was never a fan of the annual leadership rotation that St Kilda used to do, nor do I like the current captaincy in triplicate at the Swans, but given we are experiencing a current supposed leadership vacuum (or drought), it may be useful to see what this lot actually may (or may not) offer, or learn.

And Rhino's right, if McLean (or any of the others) are good enough then they will earn it, and we will get to see it, hopefully. Besides there really isn't anything to lose now in 2008 and a decision on the captaincy is going to have to be made in the near future so the club may as well learn or try to teach what they can now.

[Jaded No More 68,950]

I suggest rotate the captaincy amongst Green, Bruce, McLean and Miller. If McLean is that good he will earn it. Hell, it was only 3 weeks ago he was struggling for his spot. He has this season to show he is worth it.

Fine by me. I can't see an official captaincy handover before the end of the year anyways.

McLean will no doubt stand out as the hardest worker, best contested ball winner and most influential player... he already has.

By the way, which sponsor, support or coach is going to stand up and protest if we appoint Brock McLean captain? He is hardly a criminal. He was involved in a silly brawl overseas, did a couple of burnouts at a training ground and lost his license for going 20km over the speed limit. All stupid incidents, which may show a level of immaturity (I know 50 year olds who lost their license for speeding), but that immaturity certainly does not translate on the field.

At 21 he is bound to make some mistakes, but it's not the mistakes you make but how you bounce back. So far, he has not set a foot wrong.

[Deeoldfart 8,033]

McLean needs to focus solely on his footy right now, the less distractions for him the better.

Abso-bloody-lutely!! Reinstate Brock next year if he proves that he can keep his nose clean for the rest of the year.

[Swampfox 190]

Never liked multiple captains or rotations either as it all about leadership and choosing a sole captain even in a temporary role shows good leadership

This is the season bailey will need to make some tough decisions and this will be his first one

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Fine by me. I can't see an official captaincy handover before the end of the year anyways.

McLean will no doubt stand out as the hardest worker, best contested ball winner and most influential player... he already has.

He has played two to three good rounds lets line up the consistency before we brag.

By the way, which sponsor, support or coach is going to stand up and protest if we appoint Brock McLean captain? He is hardly a criminal. He was involved in a silly brawl overseas, did a couple of burnouts at a training ground and lost his license for going 20km over the speed limit. All stupid incidents, which may show a level of immaturity (I know 50 year olds who lost their license for speeding), but that immaturity certainly does not translate on the field.

If Brock is appointed Captain because he has earned the right well and good. It was clear coming back from a country based football match he was on ready for it. And the leadership group supported by the Coaching team dropped him from the leadership group. Its a fair statement from his peers.

He has played two good, one alright and two poor games this year. The stupid incidents reflect a lack of judgment and a maturity which is fine when you are 21. It just means he waits a little longer for captaincy.

Its a good time to get greater consistency into his play. He needs to know and understand what is required to be a high ranked AFL player. He has a little way to go.

[Jarka 767]

Brad Green is the best choice imo, but it just highlights how badly the club stuffed up the leadership group in the first place. McLean would be an inspired choice (and definitely a brave one) but I'd prefer him to work his arse off all year to redeem himself, mind you I think he'd do a great job.

None of the current v.c.'s scream out 'pick me'.

Edit - It's a pity it's not a public poll

[diesel 420]

Rotate it. If cream is supposed to rise to the top lets apply that theory and see who has the goolies. I would inlude those outside the leadership group given the (physical) abscence of Neitz and Yze from the team.

[beelzebub 23,378]

I would have personally thought this a no brainer.

There are separate issues regarding the captaincy of this year and next.

James McDonald has easily earnt the respect and right to lead the Dees in the interim. All others with possibly the excepion of Rivers aren't even in the contest.

Brocky has put ...ooh..one good game together in a string ??.. happy for him to earn his right to put his hand up for the job next year...but thats next year.. And he'll have company in Jared I would think.

Junior for mine !!

[jacey 333]

How quickly does the wheel turn around here.

Few weeks ago, Brock was slammed and Nathan Jones was hailed as the new captain. A few weeks later, his name hasn't even being mentioned.

IMO i don't like interm captains or rotating captains and am of the view, with a fresh start, we need a fresh face as captain. Brock is my choice with Jones, Rivers as deputy.

I think Jmac will get it though.

[Rogue 585]

Well, as long as they don't misbehave off the field, who cares how old/ordinary/skill-less they are

Do we want a captain who actually does the hard things consistently? Do we want a captain who will put his balls on the line every time? Do we want a captain who influences matches in the midfield? Do we want a captain who will be at the club in 2, 5, 7 years time?

If the answer is yes, then appoint McLean.

Hypocritical would be to appoint Junior when we are focusing on youth.

Hardly. Hawthorn have been building a team for the future, but they chose Vandenberg to Captain. He wasn't an influential player who was going to be around in the long term.

A focus on the future doesn't mean our Captain now needs to be young. We should be choosing the best man for the job, and - without knowing the players personally or having any links with the inner sanctum - that's probably McDonald. McLean's played a handful of decent games after stalling last year. His actions off-field also suggest that he might be a little immature.

Regardless, the real decision will be made in 2009. Let's hope that it's an easier one than in mid-'08.

[beelzebub 23,378]

I think some need to differentiate between this year and next....two different ketles of fish !!