Leadership Group for 2024 - Who do you pick?

[bornadog]

I think we need to make a couple of adjustments for 2024.

Bont still captain, but I would think about Naughton for VC

As for the rest of the group - say another 3 who are your choices? Does Macrae stay in the group?

[Bumper Bulldogs]

Great question. Bont and Naughts are locks. I liked the thoughts of DOC down back but I’m not convinced he is in the starting 22. So I would go with Jones and Daniel both in the leadership group down back. I’m not sure that NaCrae gets in as his body language at times isn’t what it should be. So with that in mind I think we need to blood the next gen of leaders. English, JUH, Weightman or even a West move into the role.

[hujsh]

No more VC. It is cursed. If you make Naughton VC he will be injured again

[GVGjr]

Good thread BAD.
We haven't had a great run with the stability of our leadership group in recent years. Sure we had some excellent leaders in Murphy, Wood and Bontempelli but we've also tended to turnover some of the supporting cast a bit too frequently which may or may not be a good thing.
The fact that we've brought in some coaches with specialised leadership background and experience is possibly an indication that fixing our leadership team is a focus for the footy department.

Without knowing the players for their off field ambitions and how they acquit themselves around their fellow players so this is very much a guess but I'd be going with a balance of short and longer term options.

Marcus Bontempelli - This is a no brainer. The public face of the club and a highly respected person in the media and with his team mates.
Adam Treloar - Handles the media well and would be a good support for Bontempelli while Naughton settles in.
Aaron Naughton - Long term commitment by both the player and club. We need to milk everything we can from him.
Tim English - Hasn't re-signed yet so a bit of a risk but after establishing himself as a top end talent it's time to step forward.
Ed Richards - I'm backing that it's Ed's time to set-up and take some additional responsibilities.

In this scenario Macrae, Daniel and Duryea have stepped aside.

[Grantysghost]

Macrae as VC has to be questioned.

I'd change that, for no fault of his own I just think it's a Griffen situation and he was never going to be malleable enough for Bevo's leadership to the stars course in real time.
Naughton makes a lot of sense.

[soupman]

Bont captain.

Lets bypass the VC curse and just have a leadership group.

Naughton, Macrae, Richards, Weightman. Good mix of ages and areas of the field, and all seem to be good characters both on and off field

[Grantysghost]

Bont captain.

Lets bypass the VC curse and just have a leadership group.

Naughton, Macrae, Richards, Weightman. Good mix of ages and areas of the field, and all seem to be good characters both on and off field

Make Baz vc.

[Mantis]

I’m over the whole leadership group thing and want it peeled back to a group of 3.

My choices are Bont, Naughts and Ed.

At this stage the other ‘obvious’ choices aren’t deserving based on in game performances.

Only other 2 I’d have are Libba & L.Jones, but they’ve been excluded due to age.

[GVGjr]

I’m over the whole leadership group thing and want it peeled back to a group of 3.

My choices are Bont, Naughts and Ed.

At this stage the other ‘obvious’ choices aren’t deserving based on in game performances.

Only other 2 I’d have are Libba & L.Jones, but they’ve been excluded due to age.

There is some merit in this logic but given we've brought in Geary I suspect it's to work with a bigger group.

[Mantis]

There is some merit in this logic but given we've brought in Geary I suspect it's to work with a bigger group.

He can work closely with the next batch of leaders... I'd have Darcy, JOD, JUH & Weightman in this group.

[Bulldog Joe]

No more VC. It is cursed. If you make Naughton VC he will be injured again

It does seem cursed, but we are due a good outcome for VC.

Naughton did break the leading goalkicker curse by going back to back.

Perhaps he is the man to change the VC curse also.

[SquirrelGrip]

It does seem cursed, but we are due a good outcome for VC.

Naughton did break the leading goalkicker curse by going back to back.

Perhaps he is the man to change the VC curse also.

Very Will Anderson. Reverse the Curse.

[Dazza]

Bont, Naughton, Richards would be my picks.

Let the oldies worry about recovery

[azabob]

Make Baz vc.

This is the obvious call, not sure why you don't have more support.

[hujsh]

This is the obvious call, not sure why you don't have more support.

They already did. We just didn't know yet. That's why his knee broke.

[weltschmerz]

Captain: Bont
Vice-captain: Naughton
Leadership team: Daniel, Richards, Macrae

[GVGjr]

Captain: Bont
Vice-captain: Naughton
Leadership team: Daniel, Richards, Macrae

Not bad. It will be interesting to see if the club changes anything.

[bornadog]

Captain: Bont
Vice-captain: Naughton
Leadership team: Daniel, Richards, Macrae

I think this is how we will go

[Go_Dogs]

I’d be going with Bont C, Naughton VC.

Libba, Daniel and Richards to wind out the group.

[Raels_d]

C: Bont
VC: Naughton
Leadership: Treloar, Daniel, Richards

[jazzadogs]

Good thread BAD.
We haven't had a great run with the stability of our leadership group in recent years. Sure we had some excellent leaders in Murphy, Wood and Bontempelli but we've also tended to turnover some of the supporting cast a bit too frequently which may or may not be a good thing.
The fact that we've brought in some coaches with specialised leadership background and experience is possibly an indication that fixing our leadership team is a focus for the footy department.

Without knowing the players for their off field ambitions and how they acquit themselves around their fellow players so this is very much a guess but I'd be going with a balance of short and longer term options.

Marcus Bontempelli - This is a no brainer. The public face of the club and a highly respected person in the media and with his team mates.
Adam Treloar - Handles the media well and would be a good support for Bontempelli while Naughton settles in.
Aaron Naughton - Long term commitment by both the player and club. We need to milk everything we can from him.
Tim English - Hasn't re-signed yet so a bit of a risk but after establishing himself as a top end talent it's time to step forward.
Ed Richards - I'm backing that it's Ed's time to set-up and take some additional responsibilities.

In this scenario Macrae, Daniel and Duryea have stepped aside.

I would have Libba in the group ahead of English.

Not many are saying Libba should be in the leadership group? It's this a carryover from his early issues? I think he is now a very mature player, person and leader.

[hujsh]

I would have Libba in the group ahead of English.

Not many are saying Libba should be in the leadership group? It's this a carryover from his early issues? I think he is now a very mature player, person and leader.

He seems a good leader. Does it need to be formalised? Does that suit his style?

I also think it's good to have potential captains in there. Libba won't ever be captain

[GVGjr]

I would have Libba in the group ahead of English.

Not many are saying Libba should be in the leadership group? It's this a carryover from his early issues? I think he is now a very mature player, person and leader.

I don't mind the suggestion, I don't think we can find fault with him especially over the last 2 or 3 years perhaps longer.
Taking the new recruit Freijah into his home is a subtle sign that the club both rates and trusts him. On the field he's exceptionally hard and dedicated trainer and someone that all younger players can look up to.
My only question is that if being in the official leadership group then there is an expectation that he might need to front the media a bit more regularly then is Libba that man? To me Treloar would be excellent at that but if it's just an acknowledgment that Libba is a leader of the club and the players then it makes a lot of sense.

[Go_Dogs]

Good point G.

Libba probably wouldn’t want to do the media stuff, so on that basis maybe it’s a better fit for him to informally be a leader around the club as he most definitely is regardless. It’s a shame really, because I think he’d be a very interesting media performer. While he’s not vanilla and cookie cutter, I’m sure he’d add some great perspectives and insights.

[lemmon]

I like the idea of Libba being formally in the leadership group as it shows that players can turn it around in terms of their professionalism and still be recognised by the club and group in a really meaningful way. I think he's also an excellent bridge between guys who are less inclined to speak up to the Bonts of the world - he seems like he's widely loved across the playing group.

I'd be happy for him to skip out on the media stuff considering the strengths he'd bring to the role.

[jazzadogs]

Captain - Bont
VC - Libba
Deputy VC - Caleb, Naughton
Leadership Group - Richards, Duryea, Liam Jones

I like it. What does it say about how Macrae's leadership through 2023 was viewed internally?

[hujsh]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EA85SQnqKSM&ab_channel=WesternBulldogs

[bornadog]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EA85SQnqKSM&ab_channel=WesternBulldogs

Maybe will help Jacko to concentrate on his footy rather than leadership duties.

[bornadog]

https://resources.westernbulldogs.com.au/photo-resources/2024/02/14/22996699-6bbb-4137-abe8-6e501bb10f42/leadership-group-v3.png?width=1064&height=600

[weltschmerz]

Stoked for Richards in particular, a fantastic 2023 being rewarded and I think he'll be a figure in the leadership group for a long time.

[Grantysghost]

Great group.

Jacko will be relieved I reckon.

[Axe Man]

Great group.

Jacko will be relieved I reckon.

McNeil stiff.

[Rocket Science]

Look I wasn't sure where to plonk this but the chest gradients on our current training merch make it look like the boys went and splurged on some fake tits in the offseason and I'm afraid I now can't unsee it.

https://i.ibb.co/2smZN3K/Screen-Shot-2024-02-14-at-4-53-43-pm.png (https://ibb.co/P93DQGC)

https://i.ibb.co/0npzyZT/Screen-Shot-2024-02-14-at-4-54-42-pm.png (https://ibb.co/grbcZwN)

Anyway more power to them they look fabulous.

[Grantysghost]

Look I wasn't sure where to plonk this but the chest gradients on our current training merch make it look like the boys went and splurged on some fake tits in the offseason and I'm afraid I now can't unsee it.

https://i.ibb.co/2smZN3K/Screen-Shot-2024-02-14-at-4-53-43-pm.png (https://ibb.co/P93DQGC)

https://i.ibb.co/0npzyZT/Screen-Shot-2024-02-14-at-4-54-42-pm.png (https://ibb.co/grbcZwN)

Anyway more power to them they look fabulous.

What has been seen can not be unseen

[Grantysghost]

McNeil stiff.

Think he was just outside that group.

[GVGjr]

I don't mind changes in the leadership group and that we are a bit creative with the setup of it but are we essentially agreeing that perhaps the more quiet Macrae wasn't a great selection?

[bornadog]

I don't mind changes in the leadership group and that we are a bit creative with the setup of it but are we essentially agreeing that perhaps the more quiet Macrae wasn't a great selection?

Did you watch the video on how the players were selected? it is a members only video.

[GVGjr]

Did you watch the video on how the players were selected? it is a members only video.

Yep, I watched it

[Mantis]

I don't mind changes in the leadership group and that we are a bit creative with the setup of it but are we essentially agreeing that perhaps the more quiet Macrae wasn't a great selection?

I think that summation is correct. He never seemed someone who would embrace the role, and given his challenges on-field last year he certainly didn?t ?lead? the way through performance and impact.

I?m extremely surprised that Libba has been brought into the leadership group after an 8 year gap and thrust straight into the VC position? nothing against Libba as the respect levels about how he plays is high, but for me it?s a strange decision? just as the Macrae one was 2 years back.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

I think that summation is correct. He never seemed someone who would embrace the role, and given his challenges on-field last year he certainly didn?t ?lead? the way through performance and impact.

I?m extremely surprised that Libba has been brought into the leadership group after an 8 year gap and thrust straight into the VC position? nothing against Libba as the respect levels about how he plays is high, but for me it?s a strange decision? just as the Macrae one was 2 years back.

I think Libba has matured quite a bit in the last few years. Having a kid has probably accelerated that as well. He's a leader in his actions on the field and he's a smart guy. Being a senior players I think a few of the younger guys look up to him so I don't mind the selection. Perhaps there were issues with on field leadership (Macrae?) and this is a way to get a strong and vocal personality into the leadership group. Nothing against macrae but as others have said, perhaps he's just the quiet type whose leadership doesn't translate on the footy field

[GVGjr]

I think that summation is correct. He never seemed someone who would embrace the role, and given his challenges on-field last year he certainly didn?t ?lead? the way through performance and impact.

I?m extremely surprised that Libba has been brought into the leadership group after an 8 year gap and thrust straight into the VC position? nothing against Libba as the respect levels about how he plays is high, but for me it?s a strange decision? just as the Macrae one was 2 years back.

We brought in Geary with plenty of leadership experience at the AFL club level and some corporate experience with consultancy and training as well and I assume we have done this because there were some gaps in our programme.

Bontempelli excels as player and a leader of this playing group and has a significant presence with our supporters and in the media.
Where we have had some struggles is the group under him. The likes of Trengove, Hunter, Dunkley, Wallis, Macrae and I feel like I'm missing someone else have come and gone quickly for a variety of reasons. Wallis in particular couldn't crack it for a consistent senior game but from all accounts was a great deputy for Bont.
Libba's reemergence is well deserved based on his changing approach to his football. The players seem to respond to him which is important. Naughton is making a lot of progress so it's good to have him locked in for the long haul. Richards is probably close to being a genuine leader and Daniel is a rock solid leader.
I'm intrigued by Duryea's retention in the leadership group given he might struggle with a best 22 type role this year and what drove the promotion for Liam Jones.
I think we might be under utilising Treloar and if Tim signs a long term deal we need to push him up the order/
We have the likes of JOD and Weightman coming though so the balance of older and younger players looks okay.

Geary has a bit to work with in this group.

[bornadog]

I think Libba has matured quite a bit in the last few years. Having a kid has probably accelerated that as well. He's a leader in his actions on the field and he's a smart guy. Being a senior players I think a few of the younger guys look up to him so I don't mind the selection. Perhaps there were issues with on field leadership (Macrae?) and this is a way to get a strong and vocal personality into the leadership group. Nothing against macrae but as others have said, perhaps he's just the quiet type whose leadership doesn't translate on the footy field

Nah, the leadership process as outlined in the video (watch here (https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/video/1489478/inner-sanctum-leadership-criteria?videoId=1489478&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1676347980001&utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AFL_Content+_DogsInsider_Members_O18_2024_02_14&utm_term=https%3a%2f%2fwww.westernbulldogs.com.au%2fvideo%2f 1489478%2finner-sanctum-leadership-criteria%3fvideoId%3d1489478%26modal%3dtrue%26type%3dvideo%2 6publishFrom%3d1676347980001&utm_id=152176&sfmc_id=16171790)) was a process put together through Geary, and the players. The players then use that criteria to vote who they want.

Agree Macrae is the quiet type, and the players decided he didn't meet the criteria on the type of leaders they want.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Nah, the leadership process as outlined in the video (watch here (https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/video/1489478/inner-sanctum-leadership-criteria?videoId=1489478&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1676347980001&utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AFL_Content+_DogsInsider_Members_O18_2024_02_14&utm_term=https%3a%2f%2fwww.westernbulldogs.com.au%2fvideo%2f 1489478%2finner-sanctum-leadership-criteria%3fvideoId%3d1489478%26modal%3dtrue%26type%3dvideo%2 6publishFrom%3d1676347980001&utm_id=152176&sfmc_id=16171790)) was a process put together through Geary, and the players. The players then use that criteria to vote who they want.

Agree Macrae is the quiet type, and the players decided he didn't meet the criteria on the type of leaders they want.

Thanks. But this shows to me exactly why a Libba has come into the group and a Macrae has come out of it.

[meenies]

Regarding Duryea, my thoughts are that his voice and support is still loud and respected. He probably knows he will play more as a backup this year and his leadership will be really important for the emerging players in the twos. Also to VFL players now that Sullivan has gone.

[azabob]

Interestingly there has been a lot of discussion around the older players mentoring our younger players.

Bevo mentioned it today in he press conference, Treloar has openly said he has taken Sanders under his wing, Liberatore is mentoring Gallagher.

Im sure it has happened in previous years but other than Bontempelli and Marra I didn’t hear too much outside of this.

[bornadog]

Interestingly there has been a lot of discussion around the older players mentoring our younger players.

Bevo mentioned it today in he press conference, Treloar has openly said he has taken Sanders under his wing, Liberatore is mentoring Gallagher.

Im sure it has happened in previous years but other than Bontempelli and Marra I didn’t hear too much outside of this.

Yes, I haven't heard the mentoring being done so extensively. Great idea.

[jazzadogs]

Interestingly there has been a lot of discussion around the older players mentoring our younger players.

Bevo mentioned it today in he press conference, Treloar has openly said he has taken Sanders under his wing, Liberatore is mentoring Gallagher.

Im sure it has happened in previous years but other than Bontempelli and Marra I didn’t hear too much outside of this.

Wallis and Weightman another one. It's great if our senior players are paying it forward - sign of a good club culture.