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61
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 9 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Brisbane in Brisbane
Last post by Baggers -
Concerning, isn't it... most of us find it difficult to immediately jump to a number of names as our on-field leaders  :-[  :(  They should leap out at us. They don't. And we wonder why we cave when heat and change come our way!

I'd also add respect to the list of prerequisites for a leader, respect as a leader that is. They're also vocal on the field, demanding and reinforcing standards and values. Key word: Demanding. Look at how the Bont doesn't hesitate to direct and demand. There have been some great on-field leaders over the decades, both appointed and spiritual leaders.

Leaders never seek to be liked, popular, nice or a buddy. They're too busy bringing everyone together onto the same page, aligned on a course of values with ruthless persistence to succeed and win. Anything less aint good enough. They don't seek to lead through inspiration but rather find ways for others to feel inspired. They don't need motivating.

And, IMHO, Pauly is 100% right in regard to creating, identifying and empowering numerous on-field leaders... not having it all fall on the shoulders of one person - recipe for disaster. To hazard a guess I think Walshy, Pitto, Newey, Crippa & Weiters (in that order) show some aspects of leadership. None take the crew by the scruff and demand it better... except maybe Walshy and Newey. Being nice and positive won't cut the mustard on a gladiatorial field of battle.

Let's see who shows on-field leadership tonight. It'll be needed.
62
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 9 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Brisbane in Brisbane
Last post by Gointocarlton -
Quote from: ElwoodBlues1 – on
Quote from: cookie2 – on
Agreed, our idea of a leader seems to be based around being the “best player “.
There seems little to no emphasis on helping others to improve or to better perform their roles within the team plan?
I’ve played in a team alongside a couple of very gifted players who tried to do it all and remained aloof to others. Needless to say, it was not a very happy team.
Hawks found a captain from the VFL in the mid season draft, reason he was picked was he gets along with everyone and has a friendly disposition. You will always get different groups in football clubs, young, old, introverts, extroverts but you need someone who can get along with everyone and weld them together.
Picking elite players with high standards/expectations isnt always a good idea, I remember Maxwell at Collingwood and Harley at Geelong were in the bottom half talent wise on the list but were good at getting all the different factions together when it mattered. Not all players will love each other or the coach but as long as you have someone who can bring them together on match day it doesnt matter what happens during the week.
Get on yes but needs to be able to demand, give tough love and get a response, think Hodge. Our bloke appears too far in the get on with everyone direction.
63
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 9 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Brisbane in Brisbane
Last post by PaulP -
Rather than putting our eggs in one basket, I like the idea of democratizing the captaincy - having minimum two and ideally three co-captains, on the fairly strict proviso that they are on the same page. That way you cover yourself wrt injuries, the workload is spread out, you get the input and direction from three minds, one may have certain core competencies that the others may lack, and vice versa.
64
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 9 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Brisbane in Brisbane
Last post by kruddler -
Quote from: Lods – on
I just don't think we have anyone on our list at the moment who has all the tricks, attitude and ability required of a Captain.

For a start you need someone who will play every week...that eliminates half the side from the 'get go'
Next you need someone with a bit of mental strength and confidence... and woops, there goes another couple.
We're struggling now.
Age is a factor...you want to be looking at a longer term option for our next captain, rather than just the next few years. That doesn't completely eliminate all our oldies, if they possess other qualities and have proven to be pretty durable.
And 'durability' is also an important factor.


How frequently are they injured,or are carrying injuries.
Are they an outgoing type, or insular type of person who tends to prioritise their own performance, often critical of others who they don't think are reaching standards.
Do they inspire others in a follow me style on the playing field.

Now you're probably going to struggle getting someone who fits every criteria, but have a look the list and you can probably put a line, or at least a question mark over most of them.

https://www.carltonfc.com.au/teams/afl

Gee, you would almost give it to Pittonet.

I said the same thing a few weeks ago.
....and its got nothing to do with whatever 'bias' people project onto me about previous discussions (which shows they've missed the point anyway).

He actually ticks all the boxes, apart from the modern day one of being the best player...and even that he gave a shake after about 4 rounds too.

He does very well with the media.
He plays with passion.
Hs is a physical presence that doesn't mind showing it.
He 'appears' to have the respect of the playing group.
He is team oriented.

How many others tick that amount of boxes?
65
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 9 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Brisbane in Brisbane
Last post by ElwoodBlues1 -
Quote from: cookie2 – on
Agreed, our idea of a leader seems to be based around being the “best player “.
There seems little to no emphasis on helping others to improve or to better perform their roles within the team plan?
I’ve played in a team alongside a couple of very gifted players who tried to do it all and remained aloof to others. Needless to say, it was not a very happy team.
Hawks found a captain from the VFL in the mid season draft, reason he was picked was he gets along with everyone and has a friendly disposition. You will always get different groups in football clubs, young, old, introverts, extroverts but you need someone who can get along with everyone and weld them together.
Picking elite players with high standards/expectations isnt always a good idea, I remember Maxwell at Collingwood and Harley at Geelong were in the bottom half talent wise on the list but were good at getting all the different factions together when it mattered. Not all players will love each other or the coach but as long as you have someone who can bring them together on match day it doesnt matter what happens during the week.
66
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 9 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Brisbane in Brisbane
Last post by Lods -
I just don't think we have anyone on our list at the moment who has all the tricks, attitude and ability required of a Captain.

For a start you need someone who will play every week...that eliminates half the side from the 'get go'
Next you need someone with a bit of mental strength and confidence... and woops, there goes another couple.
We're struggling now.
Age is a factor...you want to be looking at a longer term option for our next captain, rather than just the next few years. That doesn't completely eliminate all our oldies, if they possess other qualities and have proven to be pretty durable.
And 'durability' is also an important factor.


How frequently are they injured,or are carrying injuries.
Are they an outgoing type, or insular type of person who tends to prioritise their own performance, often critical of others who they don't think are reaching standards.
Do they inspire others in a follow me style on the playing field.

Now you're probably going to struggle getting someone who fits every criteria, but have a look the list and you can probably put a line, or at least a question mark over most of them.

https://www.carltonfc.com.au/teams/afl

Gee, you would almost give it to Pittonet.



67
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 9 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Brisbane in Brisbane
Last post by cookie2 -
Agreed, our idea of a leader seems to be based around being the “best player “.
There seems little to no emphasis on helping others to improve or to better perform their roles within the team plan?
I’ve played in a team alongside a couple of very gifted players who tried to do it all and remained aloof to others. Needless to say, it was not a very happy team.
68
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 9 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Brisbane in Brisbane
Last post by Baggers -
Quote from: Thryleon – on
Quote from: Baggers – on


We've got a pretty good idea which Brisvegas will turn up.

Big question is, which CFC will turn up? Will it be the D1ckers game? Aints? Rottingwood? Which quarter will we win and which quarter or two will we capitulate?

The one thing we do know is that we take a few passengers into this game. I speak of H, Cerra, Weiters, Hayward, Crippa is struggling, Hollands works hard but with limited impact... Hopefully they turn it around. Brisvegas don't seem to have any passengers. Maybe they'll relax a smidge considering their opponent - us.

Will Vossy double down on contest and pressure or encourage and back the 'new' game? Until the Aints game I was encouraged by our progress. Then we collapsed back into our 'old' game. I really wanted to believe in Vossy. Hope sprung eternal!

All-in-all, I hope we're competitive ...at least. Hopefully with H doing some ruck time, he'll regain touch and confidence. Hopefully Crippa spends more time forward giving midfield bull work to Hewett. Hopefully Ainsworth gets midfield time. Hopefully on-field leaders develop an understanding that leadership aint about heroics and/or trying to do it all yourself!




You have answer your own question.

When you live and die by your top 20% of performers and those players are H, Cerra, Weiters, Hayward, Crippa, and they have given us what they give us this season, we already know what the ouctome is gonna be, so your question is, how effective will they be this week?

The answer is only Hayward is trending the right way.

I'm not so sure I've answered my own question as there are other more important questions: are these blokes being used properly, does our game plan suit them, are we leading and managing them as best we can?

We know that all are better than they're showing. H has always looked better up the field/helping out with rucking. And I think the questions for the others and their best uses also asks questions. How often do we play blokes out of position? Doesn't a narrow focus of contest and pressure only suit certain types? What happens to more creative and offensive types in this system?

Do our on-field leaders really know what leadership is? Why do they think that trying to do it all themselves is leadership (it aint)? Against Brisvegas this evening will ask of us being able to play a few different ways, as they sure can. They've developed the various skills that a variety of players bring. We haven't. Why?
69
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 9 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Brisbane in Brisbane
Last post by Lods -
Quote from: BluePhantom – on
Quote from: Lods – on
Harry seems to be a bit in no man's land at the moment.
He doesn't seem to be playing as the Key forward marking target, or doing his thing up around the wing half forward.

If we reach the stage where we're doing some extensive list evaluation ;)  ;) ...
I'd stick him back in the VFL and try him as a key defender,
Put him CHF and give Derksen a go at FF

Derksen has spent a bit of time forward in the VFL, but they've also had him doing a bit of back-up ruck work.
He probably needs to have a four or five goal game down there before they give him a chance at senior level.
But yep, he could be an option.
70
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 9 2026 Pre Game Predictions Carlton vs Brisbane in Brisbane
Last post by BluePhantom -
Quote from: Lods – on
Harry seems to be a bit in no man's land at the moment.
He doesn't seem to be playing as the Key forward marking target, or doing his thing up around the wing half forward.

If we reach the stage where we're doing some extensive list evaluation ;)  ;) ...
I'd stick him back in the VFL and try him as a key defender,
Put him CHF and give Derksen a go at FF