Leadership groups

[westozfalcon]

There is a growing, almost established, trend for AFL clubs to have a 'leadership group'.

I reckon teams are better off just having a captain and a vice captain. The skipper and his deputy should be mature, experienced players of good character who are respected by their peers and who's performances have spoken for themselves over a period of time. Because of this they command respect whether they are playing well or poorly. They have nothing to prove.
As they say "form is temporary, class is permanent".

Other players will have peaks and troughs in their confidence over the course of a season depending on how well they are playing. When they're going through a purple patch of form they will naturally be more vocal and encouraging at training and at team meetings and gee up their team mates. If they're going through a lean patch they will become more quiet and self-centered. Another player in good touch will take up where they left off.

By appointing a pre-determined leadership group, a club is narrowing the focus of the squad and expecting the players to look to the 'leaders' at all times even if some of them are in poor form and subsequently moody, cynical and down on confidence.

[Mr Beefy]

Yeah I agree, I'm not sure wether its more about sharing responsibilty or there is no stand out captain like in GWS' case. Aren't their simply experienced blokes and inexperienced blokes? Leaders and non-leaders (not necessarily followers)?

I bet the captain of the concordia cruise ship wishes he had a couple of co-captains to share the blame, I mean responsibility.

[saintal]

Agree with the opening post.

I seem to recall the Power having about 9 in their group last year.

[Dirko]

GWS

Sums up the leadership group and 3 Captain strategy...

[Booney]

Agree with the opening post.

I seem to recall the Power having about 9 in their group last year.

Correct, so did the WCE and two clubs had 8, three clubs had 7.

[Strawb]

GWS

Sums up the leadership group and 3 Captain strategy...

Backline, center line and forward line captains what a top idea

[rd]

Now that all the modern teams seemingly have 18 leaders on the ground throughout a match - why do we still need runners? First thing I'd do if I'm ever AFL boss is to do away with runners - they crowd the playing area and always seem to be in the way - surely the 3 end of quarter breaks during the game is enough time to tell the players what to do and all these leadership groups shouldn't need a runner coming out to them!

[the big bang]

Now that all the modern teams seemingly have 18 leaders on the ground throughout a match - why do we still need runners? First thing I'd do if I'm ever AFL boss is to do away with runners - they crowd the playing area and always seem to be in the way - surely the 3 end of quarter breaks during the game is enough time to tell the players what to do and all these leadership groups shouldn't need a runner coming out to them!

rekon i could count on one hand how many times a runner has been in the way of play in the last 10 years of veiwing football. anyway......

i absolutely agree with the opening post. a captain, vice captain, and at the very most, a deputy-vice is all that is needed.

[Rik E Boy]

One skipper. The end.

regards,

REB

[Media Park]

One skipper. The end.

regards,

REB

Wayne Carey.

Regards,

Media Park.

[Rik E Boy]

One skipper. The end.

regards,

REB

Wayne Carey.

Regards,

Media Park.

Wade.