Captaincy thoughts?

[Gershwin]

Who was the only bloke who confronted Cotchin after he felled Jones? Geary. And who came in to support Geary when Martin came in to support Cotchin? Nobody!

[shanegrambeau]

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-20 ... 548241cf9b

[shanegrambeau]

So the captain issues has resolved itself thanks to a broken leg..

Gears as off-field captain..no honour lost.

Match day captain will be......?

[Saintmatt]

So the captain issues has resolved itself thanks to a broken leg..

Gears as off-field captain..no honour lost.

Match day captain will be......?

Spot on.

Think it just has to be Jack Steele - our first gun midfielder since Lenny who’s openly stated he wants to be Captain. And leads by example on ground. Gears can help him transition into the role from afar without having to worry about his own form.

Get it done Saints

[bigcarl]

Maybe it’s Steele. Hard to say from the outside who holds the most respect among the players. They will get their chance to vote on it and that will be a useful guide.

[saint6709]

Have to feel for the bloke - I don't know how long a fibula puts you out for, but he may be another early retirement ? He's had a bad run with this legs the last few seasons

I hope his operation goes well for him

[Life Long Saint]

Who was the only bloke who confronted Cotchin after he felled Jones? Geary. And who came in to support Geary when Martin came in to support Cotchin? Nobody!

Still don't get how that wasn't 50m. Late head-high tackle after a free had been paid.

[To the top]

In captaincy (and coaching) appointments there is a changing of the guard, the new appointments bringing their energy and focus

You do not replicate the prior occupant of those positions

Hence the use of “transition”, to me, is a nonsense

Ratten joined St Kilda as an Assistant Coach under Richardson and attended his obligations and responsibilities accordingly (they even drove from the Eastern suburbs together)

Despite this Ratten has not replicated Richardson, challenging the players and particularly our younger players to showcase their skills and to take the game on instead of performing a role

The next Captain will similarly make his mark - in his own image

[B.M]

The best leader will be made captain, not necessarily the best player.
If the best leader is Jack Steele, then so be it.

But the best leader could come from the Membrey, Ross, Billings, Howard group

Or there could be another we are unaware of?

[asiu]

Despite this Ratten has not replicated Richardson, challenging the players and particularly our younger players to showcase their skills and to take the game on instead of performing a role

‘n thanx to the footy goddess for that !!

‘n well done Richo for doing the hard yards
whilst we were shite

[B.M]

Do you reckon players aren’t performing roles under Ratten?

The biggest difference is the amount of quality player available in their prime.

[Yorkeys]

get whoever is best at winning the toss?

[B.M]

That’s about the biggest responsibility of an AFL captain!

And at Marvel, even that makes no difference

[Toy Saint]

get whoever is best at winning the toss?

The biggest tosser at the club is probably Jake Carsile

[freely]

The best leader will be made captain, not necessarily the best player.
If the best leader is Jack Steele, then so be it.

But the best leader could come from the Membrey, Ross, Billings, Howard group

Or there could be another we are unaware of?

Agree with this. When Lenny became our first 'rotating' captain, he wasn't on my radar at all.

[shanegrambeau]

The best leader will be made captain, not necessarily the best player.
If the best leader is Jack Steele, then so be it.

But the best leader could come from the Membrey, Ross, Billings, Howard group

Or there could be another we are unaware of?

Agree with this. When Lenny became our first 'rotating' captain, he wasn't on my radar at all.

I used to be all over that philosophy, but now, it’s hard to know if some players - say Ross, certainly Geary, and at times last season - if we be honest - it looked liked Membrey, the way he was going, was slipping so much I wondered whether he would be a regular player anymore.

If we haven’t got a core of players, say ten or twelve, that are absolutely certainties to be banked on week in and week out, from which to select a captain, I think we are doing it wrong. No more considering players who are barely top 22 to be captain. It ain’t right!

[To the top]

Just to respond, under Ratten the players have a role to play obviously but that role differs from the roles they were responsible for under Richardson

I would suggest that in terms of “role”, Ratten and his support staff and their technology are at least 3 steps ahead of where the side were under Richardson

There is a different mindset

That is not to be critical of Richardson

It is a comment on Ratten

And yes, players make Coach reputations as the Hawthorn List made the reputation of Clarkson (noting the contribution in The Age today re Langer, traits he shares with Clarkson)

We trust that the evolving St Kilda List will cement Ratten’s reputation as an innovative and successful Coach

If so, it will be a just outcome

[CQ SAINT]

The best leader will be made captain, not necessarily the best player.
If the best leader is Jack Steele, then so be it.

But the best leader could come from the Membrey, Ross, Billings, Howard group

Or there could be another we are unaware of?

I think that Wilkie should be considered. He is a good player, plays his role and wins his position more often than not.
While he took the long journey around the draft, he won consecutive B&F's and led his team to an amazing turnaround Premiership in the SANFL.
He impacted the moment he debuted in the AFL and hasn't put a foot wrong since. He is an obvious leader.
His profile should make him a solid candidate, it would be interesting to know if he is rated this way by the squad.

[WellardSaint]

That’s about the biggest responsibility of an AFL captain!

And at Marvel, even that makes no difference

You don't know much.

A captain is the only player permitted to approach umpires at each of the breaks, 1/4 time, 1/2 time, 3/4 time, to ask for rules clarification.
E.g. 'selwood keeps getting frees for too high, he's playing for it' or 'King is being held off the ball, can you keep an eye on this' etc

[B.M]

How often does a captain approach the umpires?

The position on captain in football is overrated

As is the position of coach in cricket

Neither make any strategy or tactical moves during games

[Josh Battle]

No point going backwards or sideways. Aim high Sainters and make symbolic changes

I still think we need experience for his deputies and for vice captaincy role (Membrey for mine) but give Steele the captaincy I reckon

Clark along with Marshall and Ben Long also to be elevated to leadership squad

[supersaints2]

That’s about the biggest responsibility of an AFL captain!

And at Marvel, even that makes no difference

If you think the Captain only tosses the coin you have absolutely no idea about leadership

Perhaps read the “Captain class “ by Sam Walker The sub title of this book is “The hidden force that creates the world’s greatest teams”
He studied the 16 most successful sporting teams in history a book with over a decade of research

For the record, only two Australian teams identified were the Collingwood football team from 1927 to 1930 and the Hockeyroos – Australian women’s hockey team from 1993 to 2000

Here are the seven traits Walker identified in the elite captains:
1. Extreme doggedness and focus in competition
2. Aggressive play that tests the limits of the rules
3. A willingness to do thankless jobs in the shadows
4. A low key, practical and democratic communication style
5. Motivates others with passionate nonverbal displays
6. Strong convictions and the courage to stand apart
7. Ironclad emotional control

He found the most talented players were often the worst leaders

The sixteen leaders who make up the Captain Class were never the most skilled, nor were they paragons of sportsmanship. They were often role players, allergic to the spotlight, and famously inarticulate. In short, they will challenge your assumptions of what inspired leadership looks like.

[ace]

Ben McEvoy maybe.

[skeptic]

I kind of like the choice of Marshall

Wasn’t an initial contender but if we’re looking for someone that could take on the role, manage the responsibility, set the tone and grow into it more over time... I kind of feel that he will excel

[Harves Man]

The best leader will be made captain, not necessarily the best player.
If the best leader is Jack Steele, then so be it.

But the best leader could come from the Membrey, Ross, Billings, Howard group

Or there could be another we are unaware of?

I think that Wilkie should be considered. He is a good player, plays his role and wins his position more often than not.
While he took the long journey around the draft, he won consecutive B&F's and led his team to an amazing turnaround Premiership in the SANFL.
He impacted the moment he debuted in the AFL and hasn't put a foot wrong since. He is an obvious leader.
His profile should make him a solid candidate, it would be interesting to know if he is rated this way by the squad.

Wow, thank you CQ SAINT, I didn't know that about him - that's really interesting to know! Sometimes the late bloomers are still terrific players (Dean Greig - AFL record of 39 disposals on debut, for instance and I would give a special shout out to Grant Lawrie - brought out of retirement from VFA team Box Hill - wonderful kick when running out of the backline!).