The NRL's best and worst captains

Before aircraft, tanks and machine guns changed the way wars were fought, the battlefields that armies met on could be totally chaotic scenes of frenzied hand to hand fighting and slaughter.

Frequently soldiers would get separated from their comrades and armies would start to fragment.

It was at this point that the fighting men would look for their flag – be it the banner of their local lord, king or their national flag.

Once they saw it they could fight their way towards it and reunite with their own, and in doing so rally their strength as a fighting force.

More often than not the flag did mark where their respective dignitary was fighting. While the flag was still raised it was a sign to all their soldiers that their leader was still fighting and still alive.

It gave heart to those men to keep fighting the good fight. It was also a sign to their enemy that their opponent was formidable. When a flag went down it could lead to a force being routed.

Just like those leaders of yore, the rugby league captain needs to be seen with his flag flying high in the thick of the fight by his troops if they are to find the heart to win.

Although there are examples of teams full of superstars winning the Premiership without having especially strong captains, it is a rare thing. To illustrate this point just have a look at the last ten premiership captains:

2013: Anthony Minichello, 2012: Cam Smith, 2011: Jamie Lyon, 2010: Ben Hornby

2009: Cam Smith, 2008: Matt Orford, 2007: Cam Smith, 2006: Darren Lockyer

2005: Scott Prince, 2004: Andrew Ryan (Steve Price)

While an argument can be made that a couple aren’t superstars, they are the exceptions not the rule.

It can be conversely said that sides with weaker captains can be found at the other end of the table, however, it goes without saying that it takes more than just weak captaincy to get you there.

Paul Gallen is anything but a weak captain but his side has been constantly beset by injury and drama all season.
Injuries to Gallen, Fafita, Lewis, Carney, Tupou, etc have all caused issues, however, the death knell of their season probably came with Todd Carney’s sacking.

Perhaps if Gallen had been able to control Todd better things may have been different. Perhaps a modern day captain’s role is to keep his wayward troops under control off the field as well.

Another side at the wrong end of the ladder are the Wests Tigers. While there is no doubting that Robbie Farah’s on-field performances are superb, recent off-field issues seem to have destroyed his sides morale and consigned them to the status of 2014 also-rans.

Perhaps there is a point where a captain should not be too deeply involved with the politics at the club.

There is no better illustration of what can happen when a side has a weak captain than at the Raiders.

Once a barnstorming playmaker, two consecutive knee injuries have robbed Terry Campese of his speed, power and the ability to put defenders in two minds. He has limped through the last two seasons barely taking on the line, and as a result his sides attack became predictable and one dimensional.

The losses piled up and now he finds himself in the NSW cup. As his own playing powers weakened and his teams results declined it is arguable that he lost the respect and control of some of his players.

Had he still been in good form perhaps he may have been able to keep Dugan and Ferguson in line and focused on football.

While Jarrod Croker is clearly a captain in the making, what the Raiders need now is a strong leader who can raise his flag on the battle field and will the demoralised, yet talented, men in green forward to victory: a modern day Kevin Campion or Mal Meninga.

The 2014 premiership trophy will almost certainly be raised by a very strong captain. Of the sides still in contention there are only six really capable of winning the Premiership.

Both The Cowboys and The Eels are really only a chance because of their captains.

Johnathan Thurston, as evidenced by his performance against The Rabbitohs last Saturday, is the best halfback in the game. His generalship inspires his charges to greater things. With him at the helm it would be easy to believe you can win.

It would be easy to believe in and stick to a game plan. With the superb Matt Scott as his Second in Charge, Thurston could take his side all the way in 2014.

As could Jarryd Hayne.

He is a player at the peak of his powers. The freakish skills of his youth have just grown stronger while the man himself has matured into possibly the game’s best player right now.

He may well be able to lead his troops to out point their opponents in high scoring games. The interesting thing will be whether he can inspire them to hold their defensive line far better than they presently do.

While those two sides could pull off a miracle, this year’s premier is most likely to come from one of the following: The Rabbitohs, the Roosters, the Storm or the Sea Eagles. Along with luck and injuries, it will be their captains that will determine the result.

With John Sutton injured, Greg Inglis has taken the reins at South Sydney but neither strike me as the leaders to break the Red and Green’s 43-year premiership drought.

If Sam Burgess had the ‘C’ next to his name it might be a different story.

Burgess hits the line with a ferocity that both The Bunnies and the NRL will sorely miss in 2015. It is that sort of warrior that inspires team mates to go hard themselves.

Anthony Minichello is finishing his illustrious career in rare form. Averaging 113 metres a game and boasting 14 tries this season, there is no question that he is holding his spot in the side on form.

His team is starting to find form at the right time of the year. Minichello may lead his side to be the first side for twenty years to win back to back premierships. However, you get the feeling that the most influential flags at the Roosters fly above the likes of Sonny Bill Williams, Cordner and Maloney.

The Sea Eagle’s Jamie Lyon captained his side to the 2011 title and his side seems well placed to win again this year. However, six of their best players – including Lyon himself – are over 28 years of age and injury prone.

Lyon’s own form is a touch down on last year, especially his try scoring. He would still, however, command great authority and respect with his team, who themselves are a tight, focused and committed unit, many with their own flags flying above them.

For mine the hands down best captain in the game is Cameron Smith.

The only repeat grand final winning captain over the last decade, the 31 year old Smith has been the backbone of their success for 12 years.

The only grand final the Storm have lost was in 2008 when Smith was suspended. While the likes of Inglis, Slater and Folau have taken the spotlight, he is the one who has driven the side to victory.

He is Craig Bellamy’s on-field general and right hand man. He keeps his troops focused and sticking to the game plan.

This has been particularly evident since the salary cap scandal in 2010.

Since that point his side has had to perform with far less star power. Where Smith used to be surrounded by stars, his pack now is often made up of recycled meat and potatoes. But you wouldn’t know it as a side that sticks to a game plan always looks good.

Apart from Adam Blair, tell me a time that a Storm player has gone postal on the field.

Even when James Graham bit Billy Slater, Smith managed to keep his side focused in the face of a side that was clearly trying to shake them up. Whenever the Storm do fight it is always as one purple mob – and they rarely start it.

Smith’s leadership is second to none. He is always in the refs ear, but never being abusive, and off the field he speaks as well as any in the game.

While his Storm side might not quite have the troops to take this year’s title, if they get a sniff you can bet his flag will be flying high above the most hotly contested spot on the field as he fights to lead his troops to victory.