An element of your club’s outlook, its premiership prospects, comes down to the future captain.
Who will that be, will the club be led strongly and drive a culture towards silverware? Or is it going to be a dud appointment which then spells trouble?
After Part 1 and Part 2, today we wind up the future captains of our AFL clubs.
Richmond
Incumbent: Trent Cotchin – the most under pressure captain in the league most likely, Cotchin has suffered from the press and pundits alike. Terrific player mind you, a star midfielder who runs all day, uses the ball cleanly and smartly and when the whips are cracking gets stuck in and drags his side over the line.
Has the captaincy helped his footy though, you could probably argue the converse. Was he the right selection? Was there a better candidate? Probably a Coleman medallist it could be argued but Cotchin hasn’t been anywhere near as bad as his reputation would suggest.
Next captain: Nick Vlaustin
Not a great amount of leadership under Cotchin and therein lies some of the issues the Tigers are facing, it’s the gap between a talented side winning finals and Richmond’s record the last couple years, especially this.
Vlaustin however, while not their best player or most fancied is their next best leader. He broke into the league possessing natural leadership ability, he has taken on a great responsibility in marshalling the back six from a young age and while different players with differing levels of ability, it would be somewhat of a Nick Maxwell appointment and that didn’t go too badly for the Magpies after all did it?
St Kilda
Incumbent: Nick Riewoldt – the best captain in the Saints history and one of the greatest captains of all time. All that’s missing on his CV is a premiership but through no fault of Riewoldt’s, he has been super close on three occasions. You could never fault his endeavour to snare the club’s second ever flag. Awe-inspiring, a champion of our game, he too will be a Hall of Famer to cherish for years to come.
Next captain: David Armitage – Two, maybe three years ago, a laughable suggestion. Talented, not seeing his potential, not becoming the leader he could, or should be, but doing enough in a transitioning side to earn a wage.
But he has obviously worked hard on his game, on and off the field, and now the Queenslander is enjoying some properly fruitful years leading the Saints midfield under Alan Richardson back towards finals football. A hard-nosed player who can find plenty of the ball, he has really grown up and it’s these qualities that when the club’s greatest ever skipper decides to step down, Armitage is the next man up.
Sydney
Incumbent: Kieran Jack – the son of a rugby league great captaining Sydney, you couldn’t have written the script any better. But Jack has clearly emerged from his dad’s shadow and forged a great career in his own right.
Not only is he a fine player, tough and hard at the contest, but a sublime professional, he is a selfless teammate and a key driver of the Bloods culture that still breeds so much success in the Harbour city; he is one of the best midfielders in the competition that we probably don’t appreciate enough.
Next captain: Dan Hannebery
It wasn’t too long ago he was the class clown at Xavier throwing eggs around the inner suburbs of Melbourne, but now he is one of the very best midfielders in the game and has become an accomplished, polished gun of our game. He has performed on the big stage, he has now carved a consistency to his game too which makes him dangerous each and every week and his loyalty to the club over returning back home has been admirable.
West Coast
Incumbent: Shannon Hurn – wouldn’t be recognised in Melbourne would “Bung” but was awfully close to raising the premiership cup last year. A prestigious talent, another from the Central Districts footy factory, Hurn can seem unassuming in his leadership but behind closed doors is an utter professional and he demands high expectations from himself and his teammates.
The West Coast defence has been remarkable, especially when a few good men down, yet its Hurn’s organisation, his prowess as an elite half-back, and his temperament that see him as one of the game’s best players and a good club captain.
Next captain: Luke Shuey – Matt Priddis might have the Brownlow to show for his work but Shuey is just as an influential midfielder to their side and at times is the more damaging.
The Victorian has become a key cog in the Eagles machine with his pace and contested work, such a dynamic player that terrifies the opposition. He has grown too, one of the real on-field leaders for the club and is accomplished off the field too, to captain the Eagles is a big gig in Perth but Shuey has the skills on the ground and off it to do so with aplomb.
Western Bulldogs
Incumbent: Bob Murphy – very few players in the league are universally loved and of those none more so than the Dogs skipper. The day he went down with the knee saw a wave of sadness crash over the competition and the news he will return next year saw a matched, inverse response of utter joy.
A hard-working yet skilful player, Murphy has got surprisingly better as he aged, his wiry frame allowing genuinely great years in the twilight of his career. One of the premier half backs of the league, he is an inspiring leader and strongly followed by his teammates.
Next captain: Easton Wood
He has stepped into Murphy’s role and has done a great job. The best intercept mark in the game, Wood has turned into of the competition’s best players capped off by All-Australian honours last year. A strong presence down back and his game craft in leading the backline in Murphy’s absence has been equally noticeable and profound.
He speaks very well, he is a highly intelligent individual and his ability to become a solid, long-standing captain of the club looks inevitable.
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