Captains and Leadership Groups for 2010

[Big Phil]

There has been a few changes to leadership groups over the off-season which will see some clubs adopt new leaders and in particular have new captains. Here's a look at each club and changes that have happened and some possible adjustments.


CENTRAL:

Season 2009 saw the Premiership side with co-captains in Paul Thomas and Matthew Slade. Of course, Slade hang up the boots after the Grand Final victory over Sturt so it is likely that for 2010 Paul Thomas will be the stand alone skipper for the Dogs. I would think that Jason 'Buckets' Mackenzie will remain Vice Captain, while experience runs deep at Elizabeth with the likes of the Gowans', Sibenaler, Switala and Schell playing on again this year. After being touted as a future leader of the club, I wouldn't be surprised to see Scott Dutschke officially added to the leadership group as well.



STURT:

Being a mainstay at the club for over 200 games, Jade Sheedy has lead the way at the Double Blues for a number of years now. The Magarey Medallists has been a great leader at Unley and with his former co-captain Ben Nelson playing on again in 2010, last years Fos Williams winner will no doubt be the skipper of the team from Unley Oval. Perhaps hard-nosed Jace Bode would be a good addition to the official leadership group as well, while Scott McGlone will no doubt continue to show strong leadership down back once again.



GLENELG:

Some senior players depart Brighton Road for season 2010 and will be hard to replace in terms of experience, but from an official leadership point of view nothing was lost. One of the best in the league, Ben Mules will undoubtably be the inspirational leader again next season while I would think Ben Kane will remain his Vice Captain. Brett Backwell was the Deputy, but with a poor season by his standards, maybe Mouse will step down to concentrate on just playing and let someone like Luke Panozzo step in.



EAGLES:

One of the most durable captains, and players for that matter, in the whole league is Mark Mackenzie. He has been a great skipper at Oval Avenue for a few seasons now and he will no doubt continue this reign in 2010 under the guidance of new coach Mick Godden. The Eagles have lost a senior player in Brad Dabrowski through retirement, but I can't see any reason why the likes of Luke Jarrad, Luke Powell, Leigh Treeby and Juston Cicolella wouldn't remain leaders at the club this year. Maybe the likes of hard nut James Rimmington or the talented Jarrad Allmond would be added with a look to the future.



NORTH ADELAIDE:

Last year the Roosters had a new skipper in Damon White and his performance in 2009 gave no reason as to why he wouldn't continue on as skipper again in 2010. With experienced deputies like Trent Sporn and Heath Younie, the Roosters have a solid leadership group with plenty of other experienced players around them. With some doubt on Trent Sporn playing on next year, maybe the likes of James Allan or Magarey Medallist Rhys Archard will step up into an official role. In terms of having some younger blood through the ranks, maybe the likes of a Damian Cunningham or Matthew Wright could be added to the official group.



WEST ADELAIDE:

In only his second year at the Bloods, Ryan Ferguson certainly led from the front for his Andy Collins coached West Adelaide. Backed up by David Piasente, a former skipper himself and Shane Birss, 'Fergy' was a great leader at Richmond Oval and will continue on in the role again next season. As early as today, West Adelaide have officially announced a couple of additions to this official leadership group for next season. Magarey Medallist James Ezard and youngster Ben Fisher have been appointed Vice Captains as well for next season which is great those players, who certainly deserve the accolade.



NORWOOD:

A pretty extensive leadership group was the case for the Legs in 2009 with 5 Vice Captains backing skipper James Gallagher, who will surely continue on in this role again in 2010 under new coach Nathan Bassett. One confirmed change from last season will be Kris Massie who has retired but I would think Brett Zorzi, David Trotter and Nick Duigan will continue on again as leaders. Perhaps Stephen Doyle needs to step down to just concentrate on getting his body right, while maybe someone like hard nut and fan favourite Paul Puopolo will step in.



PORT MAGPIES:

Some quality leaderships departs Alberton Oval ahead of new senior coach Tony Bamford's debut for season 2010. These losses are no doubt hard to replace with club legend and former skipper Corey AhChee retiring, Daniel Elstone off to the Roosters while B&F winner Brad Murray headed back home to Victoria. It's well publicised that discipline issues will probably stop Jeremy Clayton captaining the club but someone like Kristian DePasquale or hard nut Mark Dolling would surely be considered for official leadership roles at the Magpies.



PANTHERS:

Under the reign of new 5 year coach Ron Fuller, South Adelaide will be appointing a new skipper to replace the retired Jason Torney. With a very young squad and not a lot of senior experience at Noarlunga, there are a few names that spring to mind as new leaders of the Panthers. Ben Warren would have to be considered while a Brad Crabb or Michael Handby may be considered for on field leadership roles in 2010. Other considerations may be Josh Thewlis, Dylan Williams or former Norwood player Mitch Sandery.

[Big Phil]

An article from the Messenger on the leadership situation down at Noarlunga...


http://hills-and-valley-messenger.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/panthers-captaincy-race-down-to-three/

Panthers’ captaincy race down to three


LEADING MEN: Ben Warren (front) and Josh Thewlis are among the Panthers' captaincy candidates.

THE battle for the South Adelaide captaincy appears to be a three-horse race with Michael Handby and Josh Thewlis challenging favourite Ben Warren for the role.

There has been a leadership vacuum at the Panthers since the end of last season, with more than half of the club’s seven-man leadership group retiring.

Skipper Jason Torney and experienced trio Mathew Smith, Thomas Hateley and Ben Neagle have all called time on their SANFL careers, leaving only Warren, Mitchell Sandery and Bradley Crabb from last year’s leadership group.

Assuming coach Ron Fuller decides to go with a player from last year’s squad rather than a new recruit, Warren appears the most likely candidate given he is the club’s most experienced and high-profile player.

Added to that, he was recommended for the role by Torney, when he announced his retirement last season.

The only question marks over the spearhead is how long he plans to continue playing for and whether it is better to have a captain that plays in the midfield.

Warren has said himself it would be unusual for a full-forward to be skipper but there is a precedent given the Panthers’ captain from 1996-97, David Stoeckel, played up forward.

If the club decides it wants a leader who is closer to the action, Handby or Thewlis could be its preferred option.

With 140 games under his belt, Handby has played just five less than Warren, but he spent time in the Reserves last season and with several new midfield recruits (at last count the Panthers have signed nine new players), he may not be a walk-up start in Fuller’s new look outfit.

Thewlis (68 games) heads a group of several players around the 60-game mark, including former Norwood players Adam Cockshell (64) and Mitchell Sandery (63) and homegrown product Dylan Williams (59).

Thewlis fits the mould of previous Panther captains including Clay Sampson and Kym Koster who led from the front and had a willingness to put their body on the line for the team.

Fuller was on holiday in Singapore last week and could not be contacted but it is understood he will be looking to finalise the position when preseason training resumes.

[Rucciangelo]

STURT:

Being a mainstay at the club for over 200 games, Jade Sheedy has lead the way at the Double Blues for a number of years now. The Magarey Medallists has been a great leader at Unley and with his former co-captain Ben Nelson playing on again in 2010, last years Jack Oatey winner will no doubt be the skipper of the team from Unley Oval. Perhaps hard-nosed Jace Bode would be a good addition to the official leadership group as well, while Scott McGlone will no doubt continue to show strong leadership down back once again.

I hate it when the MEDIA get it wrong!
Does this mean that Trent Goodrem is our new skipper?

[Big Phil]

STURT:

Being a mainstay at the club for over 200 games, Jade Sheedy has lead the way at the Double Blues for a number of years now. The Magarey Medallists has been a great leader at Unley and with his former co-captain Ben Nelson playing on again in 2010, last years Fos Williams winner will no doubt be the skipper of the team from Unley Oval. Perhaps hard-nosed Jace Bode would be a good addition to the official leadership group as well, while Scott McGlone will no doubt continue to show strong leadership down back once again.

I hate it when the MEDIA get it wrong!
Does this mean that Trent Goodrem is our new skipper?

Yeah, yeah, yeah, my bad

I meant Fos Williams, not the Jack Oatey of course...

Sturt have 1 Premiership player from the Dogs now in Giles, that's enough

[nickname]

And also, I don't think Ryan Ferguson is called 'Fregy' and David Piasente is not a club.

[Big Phil]

And also, I don't think Ryan Ferguson is called 'Fregy' and David Piasente is not a club.

Okay, it was late when I wrote it, all fixed now though

Thanks guys

[Barto]

STURT:

Being a mainstay at the club for over 200 games, Jade Sheedy has lead the way at the Double Blues for a number of years now. The Magarey Medallists has been a great leader at Unley and with his former co-captain Ben Nelson playing on again in 2010, last years Jack Oatey winner will no doubt be the skipper of the team from Unley Oval. Perhaps hard-nosed Jace Bode would be a good addition to the official leadership group as well, while Scott McGlone will no doubt continue to show strong leadership down back once again.

I hate it when the MEDIA get it wrong!
Does this mean that Trent Goodrem is our new skipper?

Aw hell naw.. I dont want that Delta woman hanging around the club.

[purch]

STURT:

Being a mainstay at the club for over 200 games, Jade Sheedy has lead the way at the Double Blues for a number of years now. The Magarey Medallists has been a great leader at Unley and with his former co-captain Ben Nelson playing on again in 2010, last years Fos Williams winner will no doubt be the skipper of the team from Unley Oval. Perhaps hard-nosed Jace Bode would be a good addition to the official leadership group as well, while Scott McGlone will no doubt continue to show strong leadership down back once again.

You forgot to mention James McLeay down back too BP.

[Big Phil]

STURT:

Being a mainstay at the club for over 200 games, Jade Sheedy has lead the way at the Double Blues for a number of years now. The Magarey Medallists has been a great leader at Unley and with his former co-captain Ben Nelson playing on again in 2010, last years Fos Williams winner will no doubt be the skipper of the team from Unley Oval. Perhaps hard-nosed Jace Bode would be a good addition to the official leadership group as well, while Scott McGlone will no doubt continue to show strong leadership down back once again.

You forgot to mention James McLeay down back too BP.

I did consider mentioning him purch, but I figured because he missed a lot of footy in 2009 with that ankle injury, he may just want to concentrate on getting the body right. He is one of the more experienced players anyway, so is probably a natural leader down back.

[Jimmy]

james mcleay will be a future sturt captain!

[Big Phil]

james mcleay will be a future sturt captain!

I can see that too Jimmy, but do you think he is next in line when Sheedy hangs up the boots ?

Who was the official Vice Captain for the Blue Boys this year ?

[DOC]

james mcleay will be a future sturt captain!

I can see that too Jimmy, but do you think he is next in line when Sheedy hangs up the boots ?

Who was the official Vice Captain for the Blue Boys this year ?

They have not named him yet.

[Big Phil]

james mcleay will be a future sturt captain!

I can see that too Jimmy, but do you think he is next in line when Sheedy hangs up the boots ?

Who was the official Vice Captain for the Blue Boys this year ?

They have not named him yet.

Gees, I'm on fire in this thread, , I meant who was Vice Captain for Sturt last season ?

[Fhud]

cant see any reason why damon would not captain north for many years to come

[heater31]

STURT:

Being a mainstay at the club for over 200 games, Jade Sheedy has lead the way at the Double Blues for a number of years now. The Magarey Medallists has been a great leader at Unley and with his former co-captain Ben Nelson playing on again in 2010, last years Fos Williams winner will no doubt be the skipper of the team from Unley Oval. Perhaps hard-nosed Jace Bode would be a good addition to the official leadership group as well, while Scott McGlone will no doubt continue to show strong leadership down back once again.

If Bode is even being considered then perhaps he has had a major attitude change in the past 12 months.

Macca would be next long term skipper I think

[Jimmy]

james mcleay will be a future sturt captain!

I can see that too Jimmy, but do you think he is next in line when Sheedy hangs up the boots ?

yep.