In his first two years as a Knight, Mitchell Pearce has been their skipper.
Some question whether or not he is the right one to be their captain. Some say yes and some say no.
I personally think he is the right one to be the skipper but part of me thinks he should relinquish the role to David Klemmer. I’ll split the reasons why.
As halfback, Mitchell Pearce calls the shots anyway
He is the main character. As halfback, he is the general of the soldiers.
It may be known generals gather in their masses, but they also lead the troops and call the shots. If he does give Klemmer the captaincy honours, it can take some pressure off of him. I think he’s learned to cope with the pressure but whether he has or hasn’t, either way it’ll be taken off him.
This offseason under Adam O’Brien will bring out the best of him as a player and halfback as it will for the rest of the Knights’ players.
David Klemmer is a hardcore workhorse
No forward in the game makes as much of an impact as the Klemminator. He’s not only taken his game to a whole new level, he’s brought fellow Newcastle forwards like the Saifiti twins, James Gavet, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Mitchell Barnett and Sione Mata’utia to say a few with him.
You remember when Jared Waerea-Hargreaves hit the late shot on Kalyn Ponga? How do I put it? You know the movie 50 Shades of Grey? If Klemmer was on the field, there would be a sequel called 50 Shades of Shit as that’s how much he would have kicked out of Waerea-Hargreaves.
The times are a-changing
The legendary Bob Dylan said that and things are starting to look that way. We have a coach who firmly believes we are a top four side.
I’m not going to make any predictions again though, I predicted us to make the eight this year and well, I’m wrong. I own that and I admit it. All the offseason hype made our players overconfident but that never works well.
We got a coach who is going to push us like he did with Melbourne and Sydney (assistant coach with them of course). Another issue we had this season was Nathan Brown downplaying our earlier thrashings of the season. No excuses and no bullshit. I’m prepared to bet that Adam O’Brien will not be as easygoing.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
I’ve said all I think is necessary. Now to you Roarers, a few questions.
Is Mitchell Pearce the right one to captain Newcastle?
Should he share the role with David Klemmer or relinquish it entirely to him?
Should someone else hold the honours?
Can Newcastle finally crack the eight next year?
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
After watching Klemmer interact with referees so far in his career I would say you need to keep that man as far away from them as possible.
The King of the World
Roar Guru
Nathan Brown had done both with imports and juniors. At one stage, Fitzgibbon, King, Barnett and the Saifiti twins were rookies. Adam O’Brien will be blooding them up well.
1%er
Guest
Very good call Adrian. Mitchell is not the captain you want when you need to get down and dirty. How about Fitzgibbon? Albo seems to think a bit later but for me, put him in there and I think he would be up for it. He seems pretty level headed. Klemmer is already a leader. He doesn't have to say much. More of lead by example. Follow me lads and we will show them. Also, getting rid of Browny was a must. What a weakling he is making excuses like he was for his team the whole while making excuses for himself. He seems to think he can sit around waiting for another call to come and fix a club who are going bad. There's no one in this world who is going to pick up the phone to call him. You and I could have assembled this team? That's the easy part. The hard part is coaching them. Where are all the juniors he promised to bring through? I wish you luck for next year mate but I think you will do much better with Browny gone.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
I think Pearce is the better option. For me, a captain needs to be on the field as much as possible and in the players and refs ear. I would expect Ponga to be getting groomed as the next captain?
Clanger McClunk
Guest
Good story Adrian. There is no stand out for the captain role, not even Pearce or Klemmer. Captains, leaders are born not made and this is where Newcastle has to look for more in recruitment than just footy talent. They need someone with a moderate liking for the grog with a modest ego for the off field part of the job. For the on field part someone who can inspire the team and respected by team mates is a must. I really don't know of anyone in the current roster who fits. The best captain I have seen is Robert 'Rip' Taylor when he played for Lakes United. Blokes like him are not around nowadays. If a team mate made a mistake there was no going up to him giving a cuddle and kiss like they do now, it would be a blast with both barrels and his players responded. If the Knights could unearth someone like Rip their leadership problems would be solved in an instant.
The King of the World
Roar Guru
Point taken but I can see Klem becoming an 80 minute man. However, even though I think he’s the pick for the job, if Pearce remains as such, so be it.
Albo
Roar Rookie
There is only one option at this stage, Adrian. It has to be Pearce. Klemmer can do some forward leading example, but he is not on the field 80 minutes and generally spends all concentration on his own efforts. He hasn’t time to marshall others around him. It has to Pearce, as anyone else in the current squad is just not foreman material , which may be part of the Knights problem ? Fitzgibbon or Barnett might one day be possible skippers in the Cordner mould, but will need more experience. Maybe young Brayley might develop into a Knights skipper at some stage ? He reminds me so much of a young Danny Buderus and looks as committed to his team.