Re: Murphy to lead again in 2017
Reply #20 –
We are one of the softest teams in the comp and need a player who the other players know has got their back and can handle themselves when it gets physical..I dont want a knucklehead/thug as captain ie a Mitch Robinson type but I dont want a nice guy either.
Ok the Cripps/Weitering being too young argument has some merit but at the same time I dont see Docherty being able to handle too many altercations either as he is smaller type player and we have seen Murphy in similar situations try his best but it doesnt work and we just get intimidated.
Maybe a Simon White in a Nick Maxwell/Tom Harley role is a compromise until Criipps is ready...
You don't need a tough captain as long as there are other players prepared to fly the flag. Murphy is apparently the best leader at the club and his successor should be the best leader when it's time to replace him, regardless of size, physicality, aggressiveness and/or mongrel. I certainly wouldn't want to see Cripps burdened with the roles of contested ball king, captaincy and enforcer.
I reckon the 'soft' tag will be gone as Bolton moulds the team into what he wants. I'm looking forward to seeing our bigger blokes playing a little unsociable footy.
As others have pointed out, White may not be best 22 if we develop as I think we will, and I don't think White has ever come close to serious leadership group consideration. I certainly can't see him pressing for All-Australian selection as Harley and Maxwell did (not that I think AA selection is a reliable measure).