Brad Johnson and the Captaincy

[bulldogtragic]

I love Brad. The heart and soul of our club. This is not a pot shot!!!

But a question was asked in another thread which i think deserves a thread for itself. That is, should Johno play on without the captaincy next year. Not as punishment or knee jerk reaction, but to hand over to say a younger captain like Higgins and usher in a knee era of leadership and allow him to just concentrate on playing. From memory, our last few captains have handed over before they actually retired.

Or, if Johno is in the RW&B should he be captain.


For me, I think a new cpatain and era of leadership will be refreshing and Higgins is the man. Johno should keep on playing and he is a natural leader in any event. It would be good to just let him play and put more responsibility on the younger leaders to standup and improve. That may just be where we get the extra improvement from?

Thoughts.

[Rocco Jones]

I have never really seen Johnno as the "captain type" but I think he is closer to that now than ever. I would love to have Higgins leading the club but with all his injuries I would probably prefer him to concentrate on getting himself right.

[BulldogBelle]

I wonder if it's in Higgins contract that he becomes captain in the next year or two. Do they usually do that?

This is a really tough one though. I think we have a really good thing going with our leadership group and the face captain doesn't really matter.

I think Johnno would be absolutely shattered to lose the title though. I say stick with Johnno

[G-Mo77]

I don't see the point in giving it to someone else yet, if it did it just would be a title next to their name until Johnno retires.

[bulldog]

Johnno is the man he i so inspirational i love the bloke.
Boydy for mine is the next captain

[AndrewP6]

Keep him there until he retires. The young players can show leadership and improve their games without the captaincy.

[LostDoggy]

I think it should be Johno's call - and we respect whatever he wants to do. I agree with the previous poster that Boyd should get the nod otherwise, he is the most inspirational player on our list, from Frankston reserves to elite midfielder.

[Happy Days]

Johnno showed last night that he should still be skipper - he really stood up when we needed him.

[Topdog]

I think it should be Johno's call - and we respect whatever he wants to do.

This is what should happen.

[Studentlib]

Perhaps we could add Callan Ward to the mix of next gen. captaincy. Jonno passes to Boyd as an interim Captain for 2011/2012 turns 30 in 2012 who passes it to Ward for 2013. In terms of competitive attitude, never taking a backward step, hardness at the ball and inspirational acts, I think young Ward has already passed Higgins. With around 100 matches notched up by end of 2012, turns 23 in April 2013 - could make an excellent long term Captain. Last year Murphy predicted on TV that he would be a 200+ game player.
What is his impact around the players or is he still on P Plates as a leader?

[bulldogtragic]

In any event the AFL better have us playing in Melbourne round one for Johno's 350th or else!

[GVGjr]

I think the role or more importantly the expectation by supporters on what a captain should do is a tad overstated.
We have plenty of excellent leaders at the club and I really don't think it's makes a lot of difference who it is.

[LostDoggy]

We saw it with Grant, he stood down to concentrate on his career. Maybe Johno needs to take a step back to prolong his career??? Someone like Gia, Murph, could take over????

[LostDoggy]

Someone like Gia, Murph, could take over????

Based on last night and just in my general viewpoint lately, no thanks.

I too agree that someone like Boyd would be good.

[Ozza]

I think it should be Johno's call - and we respect whatever he wants to do.

Agree completely. He is so obviously our leader. It is up to him if he wants to hand it over and mentor/help next years captain.....for 2 years I hope.

Johno for 400 games!

[westbulldog]

He is a great leader of the Club, a former All-Australian Captain and I would think highly respected by all supporters and all other teams. I hope he remains Captain and holds the premiership cup up in 2010.

[strebla]

It is up to Brad but IF he decides to step down i am really warming to Cooney as our next captain he does everything a good captain does on and off the field a worthy bulldog captain in my eyes

[LostDoggy]

In any event the AFL better have us playing in Melbourne round one for Johno's 350th or else!

I agree completely. However, if the AFL screw that up (which is very possible) I'll go anywhere to watch Johnno play his 350th, even Feral (oops, I mean Football) Park. ;)

As for the captaincy, I think he can go on, has had a wonderful season this year. :)

[1eyedog]

If Johnson wants it, there is no better man at this football club to do it. Boyd followed by Higgins would be next in line IMO.

[LostDoggy]

Does anyone think Cooney will ever get the gig?

[becmatty]

No question about this. Johnno is an inspiration and a legend. I am hoping he plays a couple more seasons as a premiership captain.

After that, who knows - but Boyd, Higgins, Cooney, Griffen, Cross are all worthy contenders.

[Dancin' Douggy]

Ward is absolutely clear captain material. One day.
But Johnno for sure 'til he quits. (after his 400th game)

[dog town]

It is really just a title. You would hope we have enough leaders in our club that the title of captain is almost meaningless. It's a big call but with all the hoopla surrounding Nick Reiwoldt's game the other night it maybe got lost on some that it was one of their ex captains who lifted them over the line. Lenny Hayes was just immense all night. Reiwoldt's game was maybe more influential because of his sheer size but for pure effort and inspiration I thought Lenny Hayes played a fantastic leaders game.

Johnson will probably stay captain but that shouldn't stop the likes of Cross, Boyd, Guido, Higgins, Cooney, Murphy, Hahn, Akermanis, Griffen, Lake, Hargrave and co being leaders in their own right. As durable as Johnson is you would think its unlikely that he will play 22 games plus finals so we are in big trouble if we dont get some leadership out of that next group.

[LostDoggy]

I see Callan Ward as the next Captain