As you know Jarryd Hayne and Tim Mannah are our official captains and in their absence Willie Tonga assumed the role against the Warriors.
Tonga's personal performance against the Warriors was dreadful to say the least and no doubt would have been very embarrassed to command more from others, however he was the Captain and the third one this year to stand head bowed in silence behind the line try line after yet another try had been conceded and the team looking down the barrel of another flogging.
We have an extremely young squad who were once again left standing in silence, heads focused on the grass waiting for a General to take charge, rally them together, give direction and a big spray to fire the entire team up. That's what disappointed me the most not to see happening.
We have not had a Captain who invokes fear into his troops in these situations for as long as I can remember. Some people and Captains say they lead through their performance (Hayne, Mannah, Hindmarsh, Cayless) are all in that mould but that doesn't help when you have a young squad getting flogged and your Captain stands beside you with the same body language in silence.
In 2000 Brian Smith made the call on Jason Smith (who was in career best form mind you) that year that he was not required for 2001 and his band of school kids along with the only real senior players in Jason Taylor and Michael Buettner (not exactly intimidating types) could win the competition. We all saw what happened in 2001 in the first 40mins- the grand final was over. A player and real hard head like Jason Smith would have rallied them together, ripped in and fired them up- instead we had a bunch of inexperienced kids and a young quiet Captain standing shell shocked mirroring what happened last week against the Warriors.
I don't know what the answer is but can see in the coming years the likes of Nathan Peats with more experience being that type of personality needed and missing at the moment.
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Agree with you about Peats as our future captain.
We were rudderless on Saturday which isn't any surprise really.
Tonga can't even talk let alone run an NRL team.
We have not had a Captain who invokes fear into his troops in these situations for as long as I can remember
x 2 - The Parramatta "on field" leadership IS the "elephant in the room"
I see Corey Norman, Peats as the likely candidates
the whole co-capt concept is flawed and ineffective
Mannah is a 'hero" not a General and is only available for half a game - this automatically renders him ineffective - and - Hayne is simply "too talented" and is too far away from the "ruck" that his peers have trouble relating
Look at some "less talented" but successful captains that have been able to "inspire" their Team due to their "Dad" like personality/presence - I believe that Norman Peats have the closest "personalities" that a true Leader should have - and both are close to the "ruck" and play 80mins to be effective
look at history for inspiration
Steve Edge
Cameron Smith
George Peponis
Max Krilich
Royce Simmons
Steve Mortimer
Wally Lewis
Ray Price
Alan Langer
Mal Meninga
Look at some "less talented" but successful captains that have been able to "inspire" their Team due to their "Dad" like personality/presence (edit)
I meant to say
Look at some "less talented" but successful captains as well as the talented captains that have been able to "inspire" their Team due to their "Dad" like personality/presence
It's the Dad or Fatherly figure that can blend authority as well as keeping a cool head - type personality that is critical in your Leaders
Sadly, Hayne lacks this aspect, his deeds are super human, but his communication "style" - that of complaining / sulking is what makes his Leadership style less effective
Being serious Brett from the Captains you listed-
Cameron Smith, Jonathon Thurston, Paul Gallen, Corey Parker, Kirk Gidley and Jamie Lyon (can add Robbie Farrah, Michael Ennis to the list) ALL give their team mates big sprays (to inspire) during games and Smith, Thurston, Lyon, Gallen, Farrah and co go further keeping the players on the ground in a huddle after a bad loss so the message sinks in.
Re Jason Smith you should watch some old SOO games, Dogs and Eels games when team mates weren't putting in.
Mannah is too nice and Hayne is too petulant.
What you need is someone who can lead by example and inspire a side whilst garnering the respect of referees, match officials and the media ala Smith.
A good leader also needs to be a good politician. Gaining the respect of both your teammates and the officials. You need to keep the Ref's onside by respecting them and learning the art of proper communication, not continually carrying on like a petulant child ala Hayne.
The referees can definitely be manipulated and some Captains know how to consistently do it.
That's a big spray so to speak Jelly..... Carney could give them a bubbler behind the posts!!!
He is the only player in the Parramatta side that I have seen disciplining players for "stupid" plays. He does not do this all the time, but does admonish team mates when required. You need captains that can "discipline" team mates in crisis situations, as well as offering a cool head - The good ones know which is the BEST form of Leadership - discipline or calm depending on the situation
Norman has shown significant growth as a player during 2014, he is only 23, yet has shown flashes of maturity in play selection, particularly when he starts to take the line on. His defensive capabilities have been strong all year, despite the Warriors fiasco
Norman has ability to read defenses - but he has still not reached his peak.
For a young man that shows natural Leadership abilities, as well being able to read defenses are qualities that cannot be taught
Put this in perspective, a young man with undoubted potential that is playing in a chief play making role in a new side still needs time to develop fully
I have seen enough of the "rough diamond" to feel confident that as a season or two goes by - the 25yo Norman will be a genuine "match winner"
He is a natural born leader.....and captain in the making....maybe not today, but certainly ahead
The two aspects of Normans game that need improving is his involvement, grabbing the game by the "scruff" of the neck, and having a "go" with his running game - but that is also symptomatic of having Hayne outside - it's pretty hard as a youngster to "over rule" the play that is designed to have your super star involved in - particularly in year 1.........but we will see how this develops
the other, that is immediately "fixable" is his kicking game - he often takes the wrong option with the boot, preferring a "chip" type kick on last plays when a genuine high ball should be put up.......and he hardly ever attempts the "grubber" for a Try or Repeat Set when close to the line
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