Murphy to lead again in 2017

[DJC]

Andy McKay has all but confirmed that Marc Murphy will be the skipper again in 2017.

"There will still be a process and there will be every year," football boss Andrew McKay told Fairfax Media.

"But in staying that, the only way he [Marc Murphy] wouldn't be [captain] is if the players didn't vote for him and that wouldn't happen."

McKay has praised Murphy's growth as a leader since he was struck down with syndesmosis in his ankle midway through 2016.

While he was sorely missed on the field by his teammates, McKay says his performance as a leader off the field was first-class.

"One of the benefits of him not playing much last year is it gave Murph the ability to lead off the field and he stepped up to the plate, which was fantastic."

"He really got stuck into the leadership aspect last year which was great.

"Absolutely he has [become a better captain]. It's given him enormous opportunity to lead."

I'm quite comfortable with the process of appointing the skipper and leadership group each season - no resting on laurels.

[cookie2]

I'm looking forward to the return of Murph and I happy for him to be cap'n in 2017.

[JonHenry]

Bizarre that McKay feels the need to comment on how the players will vote.

Why not let the process run it's course and take care of itself?

FWIW I would much rather see Cripps made captain.
He is seriously tough and respected throughout the competition for his competitive nature.

[cookie2]

Bizarre that McKay feels the need to comment on how the players will vote.

Why not let the process run it's course and take care of itself?

FWIW I would much rather see Cripps made captain.
He is seriously tough and respected throughout the competition for his competitive nature.

How are his people skills coming along?

[madbluboy]

Bizarre that McKay feels the need to comment on how the players will vote.

Why not let the process run it's course and take care of itself?

Coaching staff vote as well and Obvoiusly they are all voting Murphy so it would take all the players to completely boycott Marc to stop him getting the gig which won't happen.

[ElwoodBlues1]

Bizarre that McKay feels the need to comment on how the players will vote.

Why not let the process run it's course and take care of itself?

FWIW I would much rather see Cripps made captain.
He is seriously tough and respected throughout the competition for his competitive nature.

I'd give Murphy this season which is still a very developmental, experimental year  for the list and then let Cripps with Weitering as VC take over next year when we are a bit more settled.....

[kruddler]

Coaching staff vote as well and Obvoiusly they are all voting Murphy so it would take all the players to completely boycott Marc to stop him getting the gig which won't happen.

I'll swing another scenario by you....
The coaching staff are the ones that count the votes. Sometimes they forget how to count.

We have a history of it.

[Mav]

FWIW I would much rather see Cripps made captain.
He is seriously tough and respected throughout the competition for his competitive nature.

His injury made that problematic.  He will struggle to be right for Rd 1 and a limited preseason will hamper him throughout 2017.  He'll be under enough pressure without the captaincy as a poor season for him will equal a poor season for the team.  Supporters will expect him to perform regardless of his limited preseason.  Hardly the time for a youngster to take over.

[Thryleon]

I'll swing another scenario by you....
The coaching staff are the ones that count the votes. Sometimes they forget how to count.

We have a history of it.

About the size of it.

Not to mention that marketing takes up a lot of captains time these days.

I also think they are reluctant to "herald a new dawn" by changing captains at the moment.  This is still looking at being another "transition" year where we will battle more than we will win, and that a change of captain will likely come at a time, when we can read the landscape better (better overall outlook) for our team in order to prevent the incumbent captain from wearing undue pressure.

i.e. in about a year or two, when we have our team relatively settled, we will change the captain.  Right now we have a lot of instability, and newcomers, meaning that any change of this nature is likely to cause division in the group.  Not really helpful for us, and better to stay the course.  Besides, Murphy sets a good example to follow (usually) even if he isnt 8 feet tall and can walk through tackles.

[DJC]

I'd give Murphy this season which is still a very developmental, experimental year  for the list and then let Cripps with Weitering as VC take over next year when we are a bit more settled.....

Even with the retirement of Walker and Simpson coming to the end of his illustrious career, I'd be very surprised if Cripps and Weitering get the top jobs so soon.  I reckon Docherty will be vice-captain or captain before Cripps or Weitering get the nod and I suspect Ed Curnow is ahead of them too.

It will be interesting to see whether Weitering makes the leadership group this season ... and whether Gibbs is returned  ???

Rowe and Kreuzer could be leadership group candidates.