Adam Goodes has won two Brownlow Medals, one premiership, two club best and fairests and been All-Australian twice but coach Paul Roos says he is not yet ready to captain Sydney.
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Roos yesterday announced defender Craig Bolton and not Goodes would join Leo Barry and Brett Kirk as Sydney’s co-captains for the 2008 AFL season, replacing Barry Hall who stepped down from the role.
Bolton, 27, is five months younger than Goodes and has played 59 less AFL games than his higher-profile teammate but Roos feels Bolton is currently the stronger leader.
Roos said AFL captains were no longer “the best” or “longest serving” player at a club and Goodes had been told he needed to improve certain areas of his leadership to eventually succeed Barry or Kirk.
“It is a gut feel from me but in the end I just feel Craig is more ready to take it on at this particular stage,” said Roos.
“I’m sure Adam will be ready to go if Leo or Brett decide to stand down at the end of the year.
“It’s almost his to lose in a sense going forward.
“I have got no doubt Adam will captain the club but it’s not based on his All-Australian selection, best and fairest or Brownlow Medals, it will be based on the characteristics we want him to show as a leader which he does already.
“But there’s some things I want him to work on during the year which I am sure he will.”
Bolton’s rise to Sydney captaincy caps a remarkable second-chance story for the former Brisbane defender who moved south for more senior opportunities in 2003 after he was twice named a grand final emergency for the Lions.
He quickly cemented a place in the Swans’ vaunted defence and has grown in confidence and become a true leader who often challenges Roos and his coaching style.
“Craig, the way he has developed as a person, as a player and the way he does interact with me in particular as a coach … that’s something I really thought was positive to have as a captain,” said Roos.
Bolton credits Roos for showing the faith which turned him from a fringe AFL player into an All-Australian defender.
“Five years ago I wouldn’t have thought (captaincy) would come around,” said Bolton.
“I’ve probably evolved as a leader over the last few years.
“I probably would not be the player, or even person and leader I am without the input Roosy has had.”
And Bolton is confident he’ll be leading the Swans into September action in 2008, despite claims the 2005 premiers are too old.
He admits the Swans were guilty of “selfishness” and having “too many passengers” in last year’s seventh-place finish, but says the ageing squad are confident they’ll be a premiership force.
“It’s obvious we have a few players who are on the wrong side of 30 but I don’t think that is going to affect us,” he said.
“If we can get them all out fit and ready to play there’s no reason why we can’t be competitive this year.
“Most of those guys are training really well and looking forward to the year ahead.
“I don’t see that as an excuse this year for us at all. It’s an advantage if nothing else.”
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