I prefer to remember the Ben Stratton who in big moments clunked huge intercept marks to relieve pressure.
I prefer to remember the Ben Stratton who had the ability to shut down the more influential of forwards.
I prefer to remember a Ben Stratton from a golden era when he was in a backline surrounded by greats.
Ben Stratton isn’t passing the eye test currently. The veteran halfback has struggled for form since he has taken on the role of captain from club favourite Jarryd Roughead.
This year his drop in form has culminated in commentators and spectators calling for him to be omitted from the team entirely. Dropping a club captain would be embarrassing for both the club and player alike.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Instead I would like Stratton to consider passing the leadership baton on.
Stepping down as captain would still, understandably, be a smear on his otherwise distinguished career. However, sacrificing his position for the benefit of the team would be remembered as true to character for a player who goes about his game with little fanfare, simply aiming to limit his oppositions output.
Stepping down as captain to concentrate on form reminds one of Ricky Ponting handing over the responsibility to Michael Clarke citing the need to concentrate on his own batting performance as the motivation, arguably with mixed results. The promotion seemingly boosted Clarke’s sense of personal responsibility, with his average skyrocketing to over 100 the following year. Ponting, conversely, never regained the batting form that cemented him as champion.
Who could succeed Stratton in the role?
Isaac Smith was shortlisted for the role previously. He is well regarded in the club as an intelligent footballer.
Jaeger O’Meara is earmarked as a future leader. His communication skills would be appreciated by some supporters who consider Stratton to be too quiet for the role. Interestingly, O’Meara would be the first Hawthorn captain who started his career at another club.
James Sicily, the fiery halfback, is in All Australian form this year. His strong personality might be what the team need to reset.
Shaun Burgoyne, a seasoned veteran, could fill the role in what will likely be his last year in the competition. Handing over to a Burgoyne could allow the club to go through its due process to find a permanent solution at the end of the year.
It would be a controversial move, but a mid-course correction could be what the Hawks need to get back on track. And, arguably, a sans-leadership in-form Stratton would benefit the club at a time when their distribution from the halfback has been a point of contention.
Dave J
Guest
Like your thinking. Having been a hard core supporter dating back the 70's I've watched the cycle of success and regeneration many times. Clarko did it when he arrived at the club and we saw a big turnover after the 08 flag, although some of this was not by design. I can see what Clarko was trying to do in constructing a list with the ability to pinch a flag before bowed out and then a full regeneration would begin again under Mitch. The problem is that it hasn't worked for various reasons and a big one is the leadership. Stratton was not the man for the role and I'm pretty sure that he was only given the job to try to reinvigorate him after he fell out of love with the game. His leadership does not demand respect among the senior players so we are rudderless at the top ... I want Sicily in the role. He plays a position at half back where he can see the game unfold and he is the type of personality which would thrive under the responsibility. And he has enough male hormones to pull senior players into line when needed. We need to get rid of those players who will not feature in our next tilt. The older blokes that are regularly mentioned are a given but we also have put too much time into duds like Morrison and O'Brien, who does one or two good things for every 10 bloopers or non-contests. I want to see what the likes of Matt Walker, Connor Glass and Kosi have to offer at senior level as well as giving Mitch Lewis an uninterrupted run at it. Happy to debate this further ....
Goanna Roberts
Roar Rookie
I would be surprised if Scully played again this year. He brought value for he team last year which his excellent disposal efficiency and his ability to spread from a contest. This year he has seemingly lost the ability to kick and he looks incredibly one paced.
Brian
Guest
Ceglar should go as well. Its a very long list which shouldn't be there next year and it might not be feasible to remove all of them Brooksby, Burgoyne, Ceglar, Frawley, Hartley, Henderson, Minchington, Puopolo, Reeves, Stratton. There's 10 who should go and that's before you look at Glass, O'Brien, McEvoy & Smith plus any kids who aren't developing. We need to play some kids hlike Walker, Jiath and Ross and find out who can play
Footy Guy
Guest
Mitchells first choice comes to mind O'Meara would be good What about Luke Breust for captain. Luke Breust had a great 2018 almost won the coleman. Liam Shiels- liam shiels is a no nonsense gets a job midfielder, doesn't have a huge profile despite playing 200 games and 3 premierships This whole thing about hawthorn only starting rebuilding they've been doing a rebuild since 2017 when they traded out Mitchell and Lewis (not Mitch Lewis who is a key part of the future), they lost to the Gold Coast beat them by 86 points and geelong by 86 points the week later and big loss saint Kilda round They've never truly been the same. Jordan Lewis, Cyril Rioli, Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell, Jarryd Roughhead, Bradley Hill, Shaun Burgoyne (even though he's still playing he's not the same as he was) they are great players they are the big losses that have stung the most. They made a bold move McEvoy -probably one year left him in, could still retire Burgoyne- No brainer, he'll retire Frawley- He'll definitely retire or be delisted no way he will be at the club in 2021 stop playing him Isaac Smith- should explore his options, be good at adelaide he'll probably re-sign Stratton- Should retire or move to another club like north Melbourne would be a good fit, eagles or dockers originally from wa Ricky Henderson- He'll be delisted for being too old, even though he's still a good player and was great last year Puopulo- Hawthorn have been like fremantle with Ballantyne (kept on playing him years past his useby date) puopolo hasn't been playing consistently good footy since 2017 you could argue earlier he will retire Scrimshaw needs to do more, show be a starting 18 player top 10 pick Scully has been disappointing, he is a number 1 pick only 29 years old, you can't argue that he's too old, with 33 year old kennedy kicking 7 and 36 year old gary ablett still having an influence on games, this guy was an powerful elite hard running mid. Don't tell me he's turned into Bryce gibbs
Brian
Guest
Yes he should and quite frankly he should probably retire at year's end. Gunston, O'Meara or Mitchell would be my candidates. Don't give it to anyone over 29
Mac
Guest
Who cares. It makes no difference to this team of battlers
Dean
Guest
Richie Vandenberg held the captaincy when he was lucky to be in the side and he didn't have the benefit of premiership medals in the cabinet. I don't think the captain's mantle matters all that much. I doubt it would improve Stratton's, or the team's form if he were to step down. Would complete the destruction of his confidence and if the mantle is indeed something to be borne, giving it to somebody else would just create the same problems? They're a proud club on the decline, no matter who is named captain, they're going to be put through the wringer. At least Stratton can fall back on his history with the club. O'Meara wouldn't have that.
Angela
Roar Rookie
Can't figure out why an arm-pincher got the captaincy in the first place
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Absolutely amazed he kept the captaincy for this year tbh. I thought it was pretty clear last year he wasn’t the right man for the job.
Alchemist
Roar Rookie
I thought it a bit strange at the time but who am I to judge as there have been stranger choices. Love him as a defender, was one of the most underrated through our premiership era but just seems horribly out of form now. I wouldn't see any shame in him stepping down mid season. Better than dragging it out if it's weighing him down.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Not sure you want Sicily taking it on... The last thing you want a player to do is change the way he plays the game and think Sicily natural aggression / verbal component of his game is important. They do have a bit gap there. But one not mentioned who I thinks an obvious candidate... Tom Mitchell anyone ?
Birdman
Roar Rookie
McEvoy or Gunston for me, handing over to whoever demonstrates enough leadership credentials over the next 12 months.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Has been mighty as part of our 3peat era but the mantle has weighed too heavily on Stratton (as it did previously on Roughy) which is apparent in his deplorable form since. Stop letting the players pick the capt I reckon.
Goanna Roberts
Roar Rookie
It might benefit Stratton though. If he could recover some form then the club will benefit.
Mark.
Roar Rookie
It seems like even Hawks supporters weren’t in favour of the appointment. Birdman and others, thoughts?
Cracka
Roar Rookie
Not sure changing the captain would help Hawthorn this year or next I think their issues go a little deeper and maybe its time for Clarkson to reinvent the list.
H
Roar Rookie
I hate to say that have the same thought since mid season last year. Despite he has been a good player but leadership yet showed. I suggest Sicily with vice Ishac.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
I like Stratton, seems like a good fella but I think your suggestion has merit. Having said that I don't think the Hawks are doing much this year so maybe he doesn't need to change until years end, the problem with that is he needs to find some form, dropping the captain would be a disaster. Hard choices lay ahead