I’m a fan of co-captains. I’ve long argued that there wasn’t anyone within the Parramatta squad who could take on that responsibility themselves and that therefore the role needed to be somehow divided.
In July last year I posted the blog ‘One skipper or more?’, where I wrote: “I like the idea of Hayne having to take more responsibility but don't know if he's ready for that kind of leadership role. Timmy needs more mongrel and is off the park for a long time, and Maitua has even admitted he is not fully comfortable as a leader.”
“As such, I think having multiple skipper where by you can spread the responsibilities and break them down into smaller leadership roles would work particularly well with this group.”
Ricky Stuart is not a fan of co-captain. I wrote this after speaking to Stuart shortly after he came on-board.
“Stuart said at this stage he didn’t see a clear leader amongst the playing group, however, he rejected the idea of co-captains saying that he would see such a decision as a cop-out and he would rather see one of his players step up as a genuine leader.“
So what to take out of today’s announcement that the Eels will implement a triumvirate with Jarryd Hayne and Reni-Maitua as co-captains and Tim Mannah as club captain?
Well, I think my original assertion stands and no one individual stood-up to claim the captaincy. Or more to the point, Jarryd Hayne hasn’t yet got the maturity to lead this side.
Stuart’s problem was such. Tim Mannah is a great public front-man. He is extremely likable, presents well and is a fantastic role model. If he were a half-back, there never would have been a question over who would take over the Eels. But he’s not. He’s a prop, who is only ever going to play half a match. As wonderful a captain as Nathan Cayless was, I think the Eels suffered from having long periods with their leader off the field and I don’t think it’s a situation Stuart would ever have been comfortable.
Reni Maitua is the player’s leader. He has unquestionable respect and seniority amongst the players, but as a forward, he’ll also spend plenty of minutes off the park and he does bring the baggage of his past.
And then there is Jarryd Hayne. He is the player who’s performance most impacts this side and who has led the direction of play around the park for a number of years now. If Hayne wants the ball, he gets the balls. However, there have always been questions about Hayne’s maturity, application and attitude. I personally saw Stuart’s challenge to one of his players to step up, to be primarily directed at Hayne. I believe if there was a player who was going to get the gig as a solo-responsibility, it was going to be Hayne. However, for whatever reason, Stuart clearly does not see Hayne as being ready yet for the pressures and demands of that level of leadership.
Given my earlier sentiments, it’s perhaps not unsurprising that I support the structure the Eels have ended up with. As club captain, Tim Mannah will be no doubt be handed a lot of the public relations responsibilities. He’s the best man in the club for that job.
As the player’s choice, Maitua was always the leading contender and it’s critical that the Eels have a player in a leadership role with the level of seniority that Maitua does, so as to be able to deliver those home truths when they're needed, as well as having the respect needed to lift and inspire.
Meanwhile, Hayne now has the opportunity to grow into a leadership role. No doubt, part of Maitua’s role will be to provide a level of mentoring to Hayne on the leadership front, and the team will have Hayne on the field with the ability to bark orders for 80 minutes from the back. And then there are the possible fringe benefits. The captaincy will no doubt help the Eel’s aspirations to keep one of their most talented local products as a potential one-club player and the additional responsibility could see Hayne find a new gear in terms of his performances and contributions.
On the flipside, it does lay bare the leadership issue within the club. And it’s someone criminal that the club has been so lax in planning for a post-Cayless/Hindmarsh future without having a solid succession plan. There is no doubt that the ideal situation is having one leader, who the buck falls upon. Co-captains present the opportunity for an abdication of responsibility
Let’s not kid ourselves that we’re working with the ideal. It’s a compromise based on necessity. In the end, Ricky did “cop-out” because he had no other choice and it’s another complication that the side will have to adjust to, in what is already looking like a challenging season ahead.
FOOTNOTE: Once more, it was bitterly disappointing to see this news leak out prior to the club's own announcement. Even before the club had the opportunity to announce its Friday press conference, Josh Massoud had broken the story for The Telegraph. It joins a seemingly endless list of big club announcements, which repeatedly have been leaked to media prior to any announcement, negating the club’s chances to formally and professionally make these major announcements. Reni Maitua expressed his disappointment over the leak on Facebook which at least puts him in the company of former captains Nathan Hindmarsh and Nathan Captain who expressed regret as to their retirements being leaked prior to planned announcements.
Replies
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Whilst I didn't actually think that Parra needed to pre-plan a presser about a new captain (given we are not exactly a powerhouse of the competition at present), it's very disappointing that the same problems of leaks to the media remain.
My view on the captaincy;
Players' pick: Reni Maitua
Coach's pick: Jarryd Hayne
Boards' pick: Tim Mannah
The leak: Do we have anyone on our staff that writes for News Ltd?
I'd be interested to see a write up on how captaincy affects players. Perhaps Super can do one of his articles on what a leadership role can do to a player, maybe look at players that have excelled, and players that have crumbled under pressure.
Kind of what happens when you're forced to announce something rather complicated like this over Twitter.
To me the report I read on Big Pond has mis-represented the story. You're on-field captains are surely always your top leaders. Which is not to denigrate Tim Mannah's role but most people's view of captain is the guy/s calling the shots on the field.
Well summarised. I am afraid I am biased, I just don't like the idea of co-captains. Someone has to be in charge of the team on the field, I don't like the idea of divided leadership. RS should have bitten the bullet & made his best call in nominating a specific player as captain regardless of who. Unfortunately from my viewpoint, it reflects poorly on RS. He needs to be strong & decisive in all of his decision making especially at this time with the mess that we r in.
Some of Ricky's commentary and decisions appear to be schizophrenic in nature. This co-captains thing is one example where Phil reported back in November after an "influential supporters' forum",
"Stuart said at this stage he didn’t see a clear leader amongst the playing group, however, he rejected the idea of co-captains saying that he would see such a decision as a cop-out and he would rather see one of his players step up as a genuine leader"
We have also seen him to do a 360 on the retention of Willie Tonga. He has gone from "I'm looking forward to the challenge" to "it's a long road ahead".
I'll only chose players in their natural position!
This is about building a dynasty, preparing for the future!
Hayne is a five-eighth!
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