There's been some talk about our on-field leaders as of late by our supporters, players and even our coaches. Wanted to start a separate thread to discuss not only the current leaders but our future ones too?
Our current leadership group is as followed:
Captain: Tom Rockliff
Vice Captains: Daniel Rich, Dayne Beams, Pearce Hanley, Dayne Zorko and Daniel Merrett.
Now I'm of the belief that we seriously lack some genuine on-field and off-field leadership amongst our playing group.
As the sole Captain of our football club, I believe Rockliff is doing an okay job. He can probably cross the line a bit, but I think he's reformed in that sense. He certainly leads by example, but what's he like off it? To me, he comes off very good as a public speaker for us in the media. Something that is required as a captain. There's been a few suggesting that he may not be the right fit as captain. And to those people, I ask why? I have my own opinion's as to why some may feel like this but I'm also of the opinion that he probably needs a more experienced co-captain to help him out. But then again? Who else is there? I suppose that's the problem we face being such a young club.
On to our co captains, Dayne Beams has barely been on the park due to multiple injuries but has performed well and been vocal in the two times he had been out there.
Daniel Merrett has missed a couple of games and is very important to our young backline. He can do some silly things but the young defence we have around him seem a hell of a lot more confident playing with him then without. Backline just performs better with him there lightening the load on the kids.
Dayne Zorko has comfortably been our best and most consistent player across the 2016 season. He's at least setting an on-field example which is half the battle and something some of our other Vice-Captains are not doing. But what's he like off-field?
Daniel Rich has had an average year. There's no doubt that Rich is a cream on top of the cake sort of player that a club would love to have when challenging for a premiership. But that just doesn't cut it when your one of the more experienced players on our list and member of the leadership group. When he's on song, we play a hell of a lot better. But he goes missing far, far too much for a leader. Leaders are supposed to step up when the going gets tough. IMO, he's more of a barometer for us than a leader.
Pearce Hanley looks to be carrying some sort of niggle, his stats may not look too bad but he is certainly down on his line breaking best. He's certainly one of our most important players and is lethal when he is on song as we've seen consistently in the last 3 or so years. We seem to be seeing glimpses of what we all know he can do rather than consistency. Hip giving him some trouble perhaps? Been disappointing in a year that we've really needed our leaders to step up.
Future Leaders: We have some younger players that I feel have shown some leadership signs in Keays, McStay and Robertson. But are there any standout leaders on our list going forward? Feel Robbo screams leadership type going forward personally.
Interested in hearing some other thoughts. Discuss.
Our current leadership group is as followed:
Captain: Tom Rockliff
Vice Captains: Daniel Rich, Dayne Beams, Pearce Hanley, Dayne Zorko and Daniel Merrett.
Now I'm of the belief that we seriously lack some genuine on-field and off-field leadership amongst our playing group.
As the sole Captain of our football club, I believe Rockliff is doing an okay job. He can probably cross the line a bit, but I think he's reformed in that sense. He certainly leads by example, but what's he like off it? To me, he comes off very good as a public speaker for us in the media. Something that is required as a captain. There's been a few suggesting that he may not be the right fit as captain. And to those people, I ask why? I have my own opinion's as to why some may feel like this but I'm also of the opinion that he probably needs a more experienced co-captain to help him out. But then again? Who else is there? I suppose that's the problem we face being such a young club.
On to our co captains, Dayne Beams has barely been on the park due to multiple injuries but has performed well and been vocal in the two times he had been out there.
Daniel Merrett has missed a couple of games and is very important to our young backline. He can do some silly things but the young defence we have around him seem a hell of a lot more confident playing with him then without. Backline just performs better with him there lightening the load on the kids.
Dayne Zorko has comfortably been our best and most consistent player across the 2016 season. He's at least setting an on-field example which is half the battle and something some of our other Vice-Captains are not doing. But what's he like off-field?
Daniel Rich has had an average year. There's no doubt that Rich is a cream on top of the cake sort of player that a club would love to have when challenging for a premiership. But that just doesn't cut it when your one of the more experienced players on our list and member of the leadership group. When he's on song, we play a hell of a lot better. But he goes missing far, far too much for a leader. Leaders are supposed to step up when the going gets tough. IMO, he's more of a barometer for us than a leader.
Pearce Hanley looks to be carrying some sort of niggle, his stats may not look too bad but he is certainly down on his line breaking best. He's certainly one of our most important players and is lethal when he is on song as we've seen consistently in the last 3 or so years. We seem to be seeing glimpses of what we all know he can do rather than consistency. Hip giving him some trouble perhaps? Been disappointing in a year that we've really needed our leaders to step up.
Future Leaders: We have some younger players that I feel have shown some leadership signs in Keays, McStay and Robertson. But are there any standout leaders on our list going forward? Feel Robbo screams leadership type going forward personally.
Interested in hearing some other thoughts. Discuss.