Should Cayless be our captain next year?

This is not a Cayless Bashing blog. I'm assuming it will be Cayless' last year next year in the Blue n Gold. The question i have is should he be our captain or should we groom someone into that role while Cayless is still around? The obvious choice for Captain when Cayless retires is Hindy, but that will only be for a couple of years, so should we groom someone from next year?The recent trend in the NRL is to find a new captain before the current captain retires. Recent examples of this would be Menzies from Manly and Fitzy from the roosters. So, if we go down this path, who from our players (beside Hindy) can show true leadership skills and be our captain?I think from the current players, I can definately see Morts being our captain in the future but is too young now. Hayne is a great leader on the field but IMO lacks media skills which a captain should possess.I am happy for Cayless to continue captaining the Eels in 2010 however i remember when he was young and was given the captaincy, he went to a new level on the playing field. All of a sudden he became one of the gun props in the NRLAny thoughts?

Replies

jamesy October 14, 2009 at 3:06pm

if hayne does become a one club player and is with us for the next 7 or 8 years of his career i'd definately make him captain after caylo and hindy retire.
Paul Flynn October 14, 2009 at 3:11pm

I think we could go for someone for the future like we did with Cayless, my suggestion is Matt Keating
1Eyed Eel October 14, 2009 at 3:18pm

As one of our greatest achieving and longest-serving captains Nathan Cayless must remain club captain and then Hindy should automatically take over from for the last two years of his contract, before he hands off to Hayne.

I actually think Hayne has come a long way in terms of the way he deals with media - he'll keep getting more comfortable and relaxed in that role and he obviously has already has taken on a leadership role, judging by how animated and talkative he is in the huddles.
Bourbon Man October 14, 2009 at 3:38pm

Here's a thought from left-field. Leave Cayless as captain for next season. Now that Hayne has re-signed, we really have to secure Mortimer. He's a very impressive and mature young man and could take over in 2011. Andrew Johns has already spoken of his leadership qualities. A young captain would provide stability and continuity in leadership

AND

would make it a shit-load easier to keep him :-)
- 1Eyed Eel > Bourbon Man October 14, 2009 at 3:45pm
  
  You can keep that one over in the left-field, BM. You can't seriously expect a 20 year old to have authority over the likes of Hindmarsh and Hayne.
  - Bourbon Man > 1Eyed Eel October 14, 2009 at 4:04pm
    
    Cayless was 21 when handed the captaincy! Mortimer will be 21 next year.
    
    Of course, earlier in the season, I suggested Hayne should be granted the captaincy and was told by yourself and others that it was a bad idea!
    - 1Eyed Eel > Bourbon Man October 14, 2009 at 4:32pm
      
      Hayne has matured beyond my expectations, I full admit that. To answer another comment I don't think it would stifle his game - he's a confident lad and I think he'll thrive on the responsibility (Hayne I'm referring to).
      
      Morts still has a lot to prove. He's going to face second-year syndrome next year and he'll got three other halves who all want his sport. If he got injured and say Humble and Keating clicked and we started racking up cricket scores, there's no guarantee he would come straight back into the side.
ElDoughan October 14, 2009 at 3:38pm

Yer Cayless should definatly be our captain next year. As for after Cayless i think Matt Keating should be groomed as our next captain. As a hooker he already needs to show leadership amoung the forwards and he can play the full 80.
Fiddy October 14, 2009 at 3:42pm

bourban man, i like the idea of Morts being our captain. He speaks well, is not media shy, and i don't think he will have any off field dramas. In regards to Hayne, i think he might be one of those players where being captain might actually impact on his game. i say let him be, let him continue being a "freak" on the field without the added responsibilty of captain. And Morts, well, i think being captain will take him to superstar status
TABONE October 14, 2009 at 5:07pm

Most definately Cayless till he retires.Then Hindmarsh for sure a 1 club man and as for when Hindmarsh retires if Hayne is going to stay with Parra for a long time and hopefully as a 1 club man also then give him the Captains job. To me these 3 guys all have the qualities a captains should have in all area's