Opinion Hawthorn's next captain

[wallyt99]

Both very young but future captains I see Bruest and or Gunston.

Bruest needs to lift his on field leadership - but so did Sam Mitchell.

Being captain is as much about off field behavior as on - hence I think Gunners and Bruest are great candidates (although probably next to next captain).

 

[Turly]

I don't see any any reason to overlook Burchall, Suckling or Hill but for the symbolism I like Rioli as first indigenous Hawthorn captain.

Suckling is no hope to be honest.

 

[Turly]

Contenders
Langford
Gunston
Langford
Gunston

Shiels not in contention??? :S

He's a great leader

 

[Symons]

I think the same - Max would've been a lock had his body been right, and I've been saying for a long time that Shiels is definitely captain material.

He's one of my favourite players and I'd be stoked if he got it.

 

[MC_9]

The more I think about it, the more I think Lewis should be at least given it for a couple of years. Firstly I just think he is the most deserving, he will become a better player as captain.

Secondly I really don't want to give it to anyone that is under the age of 26. There is a lot of pressure that comes with being captain of an AFL club. We have seen first hand over the last couple of years, plenty of very good young players go backwards with the pressure of being captain.

 

[Noneedforaname]

No-one mentioning the Birch?

I know that Hodge would like to hang onto it, but really, he is going to have to work harder to maintain the impact he does on the field soon. That's a reality for all older players. Like it revitalised Crawford and Mitchell recently, I say pass it on earlier and perhaps get better footy out of him, while developing that new leader. Can still be the 'spiritual leader', but I say make some more room at the top for someone else to step up.

As much as I moan about Lewis sometimes (and curse his stupid long bombs into the forward line - he is the king of it!), he is the one with at least something of a public persona, media friendly face etc etc. All these other names being mentioned are a few years behind that I reckon.

Lewis and Birch for vice for me.

Gunners, Whitecross and that ilk, maybe the next generation, then Shiels and co after that. Give these kids time to develop without the pressure of leadership speculation hanging over them

 

[heh]

I vote the Schoe.

 

[wallyt99]

The more I think about it, the more I think Lewis should be at least given it for a couple of years. Firstly I just think he is the most deserving, he will become a better player as captain.

Secondly I really don't want to give it to anyone that is under the age of 26. There is a lot of pressure that comes with being captain of an AFL club. We have seen first hand over the last couple of years, plenty of very good young players go backwards with the pressure of being captain.

Older players can crumble under pressure too - ala Richie Vandenberg who lost form soon after being made captain.

Lewis would play some great games its true.. but whether he would become better overall Im not sure.

Shaun Burgoyne in my view is the best candidate of the current crop - but us obviously too old. (Ageist I know!)

 

[MC_9]

Older players can crumble under pressure too - ala Richie Vandenberg who lost form soon after being made captain.

Lewis would play some great games its true.. but whether he would become better overall Im not sure.

Shaun Burgoyne in my view is the best candidate of the current crop - but us obviously too old. (Ageist I know!)

I agree. But I think Lewis has shown enough this year alone, that when he is given the responsibility of leading the Hawks he lifts. The Port Adelaide game a few weeks ago is a perfect example. He was brilliant, and did everything in his power to get us a win in Hodges absence.

 

[Sirlemsip]

To be honest I feel that Lewis would be very similar to Hodge in his method of captaincy. Certainly this is not a bad thing, but is there a reason to transition to Lewis for a couple of years whilst Hodge is still around? Hodge, if playing to AFL standard and earning his place in the team through performance, should remain captain as long as he is around.
If you are looking at the next in line assuming that Hodge does continue for 2-3 more years, then I would have thought at that time Lewis/Rough would be too 'old' to be given Captaincy for only a year or two, at that time i'd be looking at the candidates around 25/26 such as those already mentioned here - Whitecross, Gunston, Shiels etc.

One name I haven't seen so far is McEvoy. I know he came from outside the club, but at that time he will be 26/27 and he was talked about as the only choice to take over from Riewoldt before he crossed over.

 

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

After reading the article on the AFL website about Hawthorn's next captain, I'd like to see who everyone thinks it'll be. In the article, Hodgey said that he thinks Liam Shiels is the next captain, because he said he wants to play for a few more years. He also said that Isaac Smith and Cyril Rioli both have great leadership qualities, but honestly I can't see Cyril becoming captain because he's too quiet and I honestly don't think he shows good leadership on the field during games.

Here's the article anyways: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-06-16/the-next-hawks-skipper

I could see Shiels as the next Hawthorn captain, but he would need to cement his spot in the 22 first.

Anyways, thoughts?

Shiels is cemented in the best 22.

A - Rough and Lewis

B - McEvoy and Whitecross

C - Shiels and Langford

 

[WillowSF]

I'd rather Hodge pass on the captaincy sooner rather than later. Lewis deserves some time at the helm. If not my picks would be Birchall, Shiels or Stratton. Can't see Whitecross even coming close...

 

[ViperV10]

I'd rather Hodge pass on the captaincy sooner rather than later. Lewis deserves some time at the helm. If not my picks would be Birchall, Shiels or Stratton. Can't see Whitecross even coming close...

I can certainly see him coming close....but only if he shakes off his knee problems and plays consistent games over the next two years. A born leader.

 

[MatthewSpangher]

Spangher. Close thread.

Good Answer

 

[SSSSSS]

Big Boy. Can see him just packs and taking a huge grabs in our defensive side to save the game. Seems like the sort of player who can impose himself on those moments. Stratton for the exact same reason.

Lewis and Shiels also. Langers because he bleeds for Hawthorn but I don't know if he has the leadership qualities yet. Seems well spoken though.

Others who are under consideration are Whitey (I'm sure he will be best 22 but it's always a doubt with two knee recos), Gunstall and Birchall. Roughy doesn't seem to scream captain on field but the boys love him off field.

 

[Noneedforaname]

I can certainly see him coming close....but only if he shakes off his knee problems and plays consistent games over the next two years. A born leader.

Yeah, this is a worry. How well will he come back, will he ever regain that form and step up again as he probably would have done? Terrible shame if he never realises his potential. Terrible loss to the playing and future leadership group as well.
We've had some pretty good form with players coming back from injury, so no reason why he can't do the same. Fingers crossed for the guy after missing 2 GFs.

 

[Phil McCreviss]

I reckon we may see a mass exodus if we go back to back. Wouldn't be in the least bit surprised if Hodge, Lake and Sewell retire.

Lewis has the captaincy in the bag if Hodge goes sooner rather than later.

 

[arupist]

I reckon we may see a mass exodus if we go back to back. Wouldn't be in the least bit surprised if Hodge, Lake and Sewell retire.

Lewis has the captaincy in the bag if Hodge goes sooner rather than later.

3-peat, 3-peat.

 

[B&GBlood]

Spangher. Close thread.

But we would need twelve co-captains

 

[cryptor]

I reckon we may see a mass exodus if we go back to back. Wouldn't be in the least bit surprised if Hodge, Lake and Sewell retire.

Lewis has the captaincy in the bag if Hodge goes sooner rather than later.

Lake and possibly Sewell. Hodge, no chance.

 

[Phil McCreviss]

Lake and possibly Sewell. Hodge, no chance.

Nah he is close. Very close to retirement.

Will go again if we don't win it this year.

 

[madhawksfan]

Selwood, Hodge, Jack, Boak and Pav are the leaders of the best sides at the moment. Things I see in common with these captains is they are good contested ball winners and lead through their actions.

Players on our list who have enough experience and fit these criteria are (in no particular order): Lewis, Shiels, Birchall, Stratton, Bruest and Gunston.

Lewis will be too old if Hodge stays on another 2-3 years (which I hope he doesn't as he might be in decline by then).

I'd personally go with Shiels as he is the ultimate team man in terms of playing whatever role the team needs.

Bruest is my smokie as he has been quite consistent in big games over the past couple of years.

 

[marklar]

As much as I love Stratts, I just can't see him being captain. For me it would have to be another mid, so probably Lewis, Shiels, Langford/Anderson in that order depending on when Hodge hands over the keys.

 

[cryptor]

Nah he is close. Very close to retirement.

Will go again if we don't win it this year.

It will be a matter of when his body gives up on him. Mentally, I think he's prepared to play for the rest of his days.

 

[MrPremiership]

Riley Milne.