Captains and Leadership Groups for 2010
Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 10:28 pmThere 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.
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.
