Demon dilemma - who should captain the Dees?
April 23rd 2008 07:15
THE Melbourne Football Club is in disarray. 0 wins, 5 big losses, no real positives in sight.
But there is something that can be done as early as this week to prepare the Dees for a brighter future - naming the right captain to take over from the injured David Neitz.
The Dees will go one of three directions on this issue - name an older player as a short-term fix, go down the co-captaincy route or bank on a youngster to drive their fortunes upwards.
Who, then, are the major contenders through my eyes?
The older brigade:
James McDonald
'Junior' as he is known is about as blue-collar as it gets. Dedicated, respected, selfless and consistent on the football field. One of the major contenders if the Dees opt for someone from the older generation.
Brad Green
Green has responded magnificently since being dumped from the leadership group at the start of the year. Will the fact he isn't in the group go against him though?
Cameron Bruce
Has bounced back from an appalling 2007 and is one of Melbourne's true guns when fit and firing. Commands respect on the field, but what about off it?
Young guns:
Brock McLean
Anointed the future captain in waiting even as far back as 2006 but off-field indiscretions during the pre-season may hurt his chances. Speaks his mind. Is respected for his hardness on the field and one would think will become captain of the side at some stage.
Nathan Jones
Another young man who hasn't put a foot wrong on or off the field. Growing in stature around the club and on the field. But would the captaincy be a burden on a blossoming career?
Jared Rivers
Melbourne's most important player and key backman. Never been spoken about as leadership material which begs the question why? He is a gun of the competition, doesn't hit the back pages for the wrong reasons and has the respect of his teammates.
The darkhorse:
Cale Morton
Would Melbourne have the balls to pick an 18-year-old first year player as their next captain? Stranger things have happened and the skinny kid has excelled in his five games so far this year. A definite roughie, but may come into considerations later on if the Demons choose an older player to replace the inspirational Neitz.
For what it's worth, I think the Demons will play the conservative hand and choose co-captains, most probably Bruce and McDonald.
Who would I like to captain the side though? Easy. There is only one truly natural leader at Melbourne and it is Brock McLean, and, despite his misdemeanors, choosing an aggressive, straight-shooting hardman is exactly what the Dees need to lead them out of the doldrums.
But there is something that can be done as early as this week to prepare the Dees for a brighter future - naming the right captain to take over from the injured David Neitz.
The Dees will go one of three directions on this issue - name an older player as a short-term fix, go down the co-captaincy route or bank on a youngster to drive their fortunes upwards.
Who, then, are the major contenders through my eyes?
The older brigade:
James McDonald
Brad Green
Green has responded magnificently since being dumped from the leadership group at the start of the year. Will the fact he isn't in the group go against him though?
Cameron Bruce
Has bounced back from an appalling 2007 and is one of Melbourne's true guns when fit and firing. Commands respect on the field, but what about off it?
Young guns:
Brock McLean
Anointed the future captain in waiting even as far back as 2006 but off-field indiscretions during the pre-season may hurt his chances. Speaks his mind. Is respected for his hardness on the field and one would think will become captain of the side at some stage.
Nathan Jones
Another young man who hasn't put a foot wrong on or off the field. Growing in stature around the club and on the field. But would the captaincy be a burden on a blossoming career?
Jared Rivers
The darkhorse:
Cale Morton
Would Melbourne have the balls to pick an 18-year-old first year player as their next captain? Stranger things have happened and the skinny kid has excelled in his five games so far this year. A definite roughie, but may come into considerations later on if the Demons choose an older player to replace the inspirational Neitz.
For what it's worth, I think the Demons will play the conservative hand and choose co-captains, most probably Bruce and McDonald.
Who would I like to captain the side though? Easy. There is only one truly natural leader at Melbourne and it is Brock McLean, and, despite his misdemeanors, choosing an aggressive, straight-shooting hardman is exactly what the Dees need to lead them out of the doldrums.
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