Gary Ablett certainly inspired his Gold Coast teammates to a stunning victory over the Kangaroos, but his future as the Suns’ captain should certainly not be a certainty.
Ablett’s on-field leadership has never been in question and his performance on the weekend reminded the football world that Nat Fyfe is not unmatched in his ability to turn a game.
The dual Brownlow medalist also proved his detractors wrong in taking the time he deemed necessary to repair his damaged shoulder.
He amassed a damaging 31 possessions in his comeback game against North Melbourne at Metricon Stadium, including three vital goals to ignite his team to their first win since Round 5.
And if Ablett’s return to the game after a 12-week sojourn taught us anything, it’s that Ablett’s main focus should be on his fitness, his body and his conditioning.
Because when Ablett fires, the Suns go from a group of hapless and undisciplined boys to a team capable of dismounting one of last year’s preliminary finalists.
Ablett’s main focus, then, should not be on the team, but himself.
Of course, he is a natural leader once he is on the field and can let his football do the talking. But for the past 12 weeks, the only way Ablett has been able to influence his team is through his mentoring role off the field.
It’s a role that has been highlighted by many – particularly Jonathan Brown – to be one Ablett has not fulfilled dutifully.
Ablett chose not to travel with his teammates when the Suns played away from the Gold Coast, although he travelled interstate for promotional appearances where he was getting paid, leading to intense scrutiny.
And in the face of such criticism, he was silent, and only sparked into action when the drug scandal at the Suns reached its crescendo.
In today’s hyper-mediated football climate, Ablett is simply not up to the task of being the captain his club needs him to be off the field, particularly given the club’s infancy as a franchise team.
But is this really all that problematic for the Suns?
Michael Rischitelli seems the heir apparent and young deputy Tom Lynch has bucket loads of leadership potential, too.
And while Ablett remains the undisputed champion at the Suns – if not the competition – undisputed champions have often been overlooked for the role of captain in the past.
Why? Because great leaders aren’t always the greatest of players.
Sydney’s Brett Kirk was an overlooked rookie who had a terrible kick, yet he was elevated to the role of co-captain at the Swans in 2005 over players with much more talent, such as Adam Goodes. In a similar fashion, premiership captain Nick Maxwell was all heart, but lacked the class of other Collingwood players he led, such as Dane Swan and Dale Thomas.
And in the same way that great leaders aren’t always the greatest of players, great players aren’t always the greatest of captains.
Ryan Griffen was never comfortable in the role at the Western Bulldogs last year. And Andrew Swallow seems somewhat uneasy at the helm of the Kangaroos in 2015. Robert Murphy, on the other hand, has relished his role as captain and taken his game to another level at the Bulldogs this year.
When it comes to Gary Ablett, however, it’s questionable whether he can elevate his already elite and almost unrivalled game. So why put pressure on him to lead at all?
As Ablett’s comeback game showed, when he has the ball in his hand he is indestructible, willing his team to commit to every contest harder. That’s a given with Gary Ablett: that he will play his heart out and inspire his teammates by doing so.
Let him do that.
It may just give Rischitelli, Lynch or another player the chance to elevate their game in their capacity as captain in the same manner as Robert Murphy.
And that’s exactly what the Suns so desperately need.
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
We’re taking a look at one player from each team that needs to make a difference this week, starting with the ANZAC Day games.
Damien Hardwick has predicted Toby Greene's one-match suspension will be upheld by the AFL tribunal, but the triple-premiership coach says he wouldn't ban the…
Round 5 of the AFL provided plenty of action, from big scorelines to upset wins and pressure starting to build on some clubs and coaches already.
Geelong has been crafty and creative in its list management and has quietly assembled a very exciting young group of midfielders and half-forwards.
Brisbane co-captain Lachie Neale will be looking to lead his team to a victory against Melbourne in what will be his 250th AFL game.
It’s high stakes with five teams having lost their first three games of season 2024, and in desperate need of a win.
