The appointment of Scott Pendlebury as Collingwood’s new skipper was about as inevitable as Eddie McGuire’s face turning 50 shades of purple this season.
But as unsurprising a choice as it is, the response has been just as predictable, with the entire football fraternity welcoming the crowning of the anointed one.
And why wouldn’t they – Pendlebury is an out-and-out superstar and supporters of all stripes love to watch him go about his business.
His predecessor, however, has never enjoyed such universal support.
Despite leading the Pies to their first flag in two decades, Nick Maxwell is still much maligned.
Unlike Pendlebury, Maxwell was always a workmanlike footballer who was never in the top echelon of players in the league, or even his club.
I overheard a bloke at the pub saying Collingwood has gone from having the worst captain in the AFL to the best.
On what criteria has he judged Maxwell and how is he so sure of Pendlebury’s captaincy before he’s led the Pies out on to the field even once? What is the making of an AFL captain?
Despite what some Maxwell supporters might tell you, on-field performance cannot be discounted.
A captain who can grab a game by the scruff of the neck can be the difference between winning a losing. He can win the game off his own foot or spark his team.
This seems to be the only criteria most people have used to judge both Maxwell and Pendlebury but as we will see, this is only one ingredient.
No matter how skilful or athletic footy becomes, it will always also be a game of momentum and psychology. A demonstration of skill or ability isn’t the only way for a captain to change a game or lift his team.
If a player sees their leader putting their body on the line for them, they will walk a little taller. If they see their captain run 50 metres to lay a shepherd then they will feel the need to reciprocate.
Michael Voss’s enduring commitment to his team and to victory helped him earn the respect of his teammates and inspire them to three flags.
But a captain’s commitment can’t begin and end when they cross the white line. A good captain needs to set the standards for training and preparation.
Only when a leader’s standards are beyond reproach can he demand the same from his men.
However it’s important to balance demanding more from a teammate with preserving the relationship.
Nathan Buckley was always known to be uncompromising in his preparation, to the point of damaging his relationship with his teammates.
One of the most important tasks for a captain is to make a connection with every individual on the playing list. Putting time into building up the individuals and strengthening relationships off the field will always deliver a stronger unit on the field.
Despite the many challenges Essendon faced last year, the young Bombers gave all they had for most of the season and it was obvious to all who watched they were playing for each other.
One of the most basic but challenging skills of an AFL captain is how to influence your team. Whether it be a mental blank, a curve ball from the opponent or an injury to a teammate, it’s easy for a player or even a whole team forget the game plan they practiced over and over in training.
A captain needs to be able to offer that direction.
Not only does the captain have to know the game plan and have a good football brain, he needs to ensure that his teammates will listen to you.
The respect earned through commitment and the support earned by focusing on relationships is the basis for good communication.
When it comes to directing his team, Luke Hodge is a maestro. At his best, Hawthorn is an extension of his will.
All captains will have their strengths and weaknesses but good captains are able to tick most of the boxes.
Pendlebury is already a superstar and inevitable leadership of the club was never in doubt but only time will tell if he has everything it takes to become one of the truly great modern captains.
The Aficionado
Roar Rookie
Yes Gecko, you make a very good point. You don't need a captain who is a dominant player and you certainly shouldn't make your most dominant player your captain. For example, Dane Swan would not have been a good choice as captain. The purpose of this piece was not to reflect on Maxwell's time as captain but to reflect on what criteria captains should be judged. No matter what anyone says, I can't agree that on-field performance is unimportant or that a captain isn't more effective if he can take a game by the scruff of the neck. But I do believe that Maxwell was a good captain because his on-field performance has always been underrated and because he would score well on the other criteria I discussed in the article.
Gecko
Guest
In the 7 year period 2007-2013, 3 of the premiership captains have been battling back-pocket types and another 1 was a tagger. This suggests that you can win a premiership without having a captain that takes the game by the scruff of the neck. It also suggests there's a lot more to captaincy than just what happens on the field. I totally agree with Pendlebury taking over in 2014, but it seems just wrong that people are intent on re-writing history re Maxwell's captaincy performance.
Alicesprings
Guest
Wonder how many games maxwell will get now..wouldn't surprise me if he's in the 2's a lot this season/coaching box. Good leader, very average footballer. Should have given the captaincy over a couple yrs back. As a neutral supporter watching the pies the last few yrs it's obvious that Pendles has been the defacto captain, gets the had ball, lifts the team when required aka selwood and hodge.
Bogga
Guest
It's one thing for the skipper to lead the team by example. That's great. But I think Maxwell's problem was how ridiculous it looked when he was regularly getting the run around. Worse still when he would look all at sea and yell to team mates. Even if he was yelling encouragement, it looked like he was having a go at them. I suppose he didn't have a choice, he couldn't just go into his shell, he's the captain so has to motivate his team. This is the main problem in appointing a captain who regularly gets beaten on game day. Doesn't have to be the best player, but shouldn't be one who gets so regularly beaten (Vandenberg). It's why all the Demon captains look silly, they get beaten every week.
Gecko
Guest
Langou, big business has probably already crunched the numbers to find who gets the most media attention. So which club normally gets the biggest total sponsorship package from big business?
langou
Roar Guru
Depends where you live Gecko. Having lived in a two team town most my life, I can tell you that the media scrutiny on their teams, captains and coaches is as big, if not greater than the scrutiny that falls on Collingwood.
Gecko
Guest
How many readers can rattle off the names of the 2013 captains of Adelaide, Bulldogs and the two Sydney teams without a pause? Truth is that Collingwood gets more media attention than any other team. And currently there's the added pressure of a team in transition (both in game style and playing personnel), so the captain will be dealing with internal and external pressures. The pressure is always on a Collingwood captain. Maxwell handled it admirably, and so will Pendlebury.
Bayden Westerweller
Roar Guru
The laugh is that debate about the significance of the Collingwood captaincy is polarising!
Bayden Westerweller
Roar Guru
True, I would say that one needs to be a Pies' supporter to understand the true significance, but ask the experts, not necessarily ex-Pies players, and plenty of them will say that being a Collingwood captain is a big deal!
Australian Rules
Guest
"captaining Collingwood isn’t quite the same as other clubs, it’s a bloody big deal"...for Collingwood and Collingwood fans.
Bayden Westerweller
Roar Guru
I agree with you on the PR aspect, there is certainly a big element of this comprised in the Collingwood captaincy.
TomC
Roar Guru
Hmmm. I don't really agree with that. Maybe those factors would make the Collingwood captain slightly more conscious of PR than other club captains, but I doubt it would change his role in any significant way.
Bayden Westerweller
Roar Guru
As the most polarising club in the competition, and with the hopes of 80 000 + members plus however many fans resting on the captain's shoulders, a Collingwood captain is always under the microscope to deliver, as much as all AFL captains face this, just that little bit more.
TomC
Roar Guru
Why would captaining Collingwood be different to other clubs, Bayden?
Bayden Westerweller
Roar Guru
As Eddie - no last name necessary, said, he envisages Maxwell as a future CEO such is his leadership. Whilst some people might wonder why, the respect he demands and his ability to control an entire group - captaining Collingwood isn't quite the same as other clubs, it's a bloody big deal, would make him an excellent candidate. It's good to see that Maxwell will continue in the leadership group, he certainly has more to offer. He can counsel Pendlebury in the unlikely event that he is unsure and be counted on if he is injured. Whether he plays on for another season or two seasons, his presence is invaluable.
The Aficionado
Roar Rookie
Very good point. I originally devoted a whole section of the article to the demands on modern captains, such as media and becoming a brand ambassador. I cut it out in order to keep the piece short but it is a very important part of this discussion.
TomC
Roar Guru
Good post, Bayden. I think we might be moving into an era where the captaincy is as much a PR job as an on-field leadership job, so we may see fewer examples of the Nick Maxwell types who are respected on the field but not so well known off it.
Bayden Westerweller
Roar Guru
Maxwell's tenure as skipper was highly underrated, it's my belief that in years to come, people will look back on this era with greater fondness. He certainly isn't Collingwood's best player, in fact far from it, he admitted so at last week's press conference when he said Pendlebury is "just a little bit better." but his leadership was a vital element, the Pies' almost certainly wouldn't have won the 2010 premiership without it. The way he regrouped his shattered players following the draw, it takes somebody respected to do that. You could also say that some of his performances that season were the making of the ultimate triumph. There's no doubt that now is the right time for Pendlebury to take the mantle, he probably could have had the job last season. He is far and away the Pies' best, his leadership has every potential to end up just as legendary as Buckley's, whilst Maxwell's on-field contribution might benefit from being unburdened by the role.
The Aficionado
Roar Rookie
Thanks Atawhai - I'm glad the reference wasn't too obscure.
andyincanberra
Guest
I think Pendlebury will be an outstanding captain. I'm reminded of 2012 when Adam Treloar got a rising star nomination after GWS played Collingwood. Treloar was playing on Pendlebury, in an interview later, Treloar said Pendlebury was coaching him throughout the game and telling him where to run to get in best position. Easy to do when you're up by 100+ points, but I think that it shows a leadership that will serve Collingwood well. As mentioned in the article, Buckley has very high expectations of the professionalism of his players, Pendlebury will be perfect. Also, just on Nick Maxwell, he has been a superb servant of the club and the criticism he has received of late is totally unjustified. Whilst not the best player, he captained a premiership. Contrast this with Chris Judd, awesome player that won a brownlow as captain of Carlton. Nobody rubbished him when he passed the baton to Marc Murphy, even though he was a far less successful captain than Maxwell.