Joel Thompson For Captain?

[TomRedVRiver]

Every pre-season video and training video i've watched in the past, Joel is always keeping the talk up and pushing team morale. When Paul Vaughan moved over from Canberra, Joel was the first one there to make him feel welcome and comfortable in the side. In fact every time I watch a new recruit interview they all mention Joel's name as the first guy who's there to make them feel comfortable.
He seems like that teammate you want to play for, that bloke you want to line up next to in defence who you know will ALWAYS have your back. He's also an outstanding role model outside of the game, he's always supporting a worthy cause and fighting for those who need help the most. He's a guy with endless empathy and outstanding leadership skills.

What do we think about the possibility for handing him the captaincy?
I understand he needs to lift a little, his form has been lacking of late and injuries have plagued him a little. But I just really feel like he might be the guy for the job. Widdop just isn't cutting it.

 

[Country Dragon]

Every pre-season video and training video i've watched in the past, Joel is always keeping the talk up and pushing team morale. When Paul Vaughan moved over from Canberra, Joel was the first one there to make him feel welcome and comfortable in the side. In fact every time I watch a new recruit interview they all mention Joel's name as the first guy who's there to make them feel comfortable.
He seems like that teammate you want to play for, that bloke you want to line up next to in defence who you know will ALWAYS have your back. He's also an outstanding role model outside of the game, he's always supporting a worthy cause and fighting for those who need help the most. He's a guy with endless empathy and outstanding leadership skills.

What do we think about the possibility for handing him the captaincy?
I understand he needs to lift a little, his form has been lacking of late and injuries have plagued him a little. But I just really feel like he might be the guy for the job. Widdop just isn't cutting it.

He does bring a lot of energy, but he wouldn't be in my starting 13!

 

[Mr Red]

He's always injured, no good having a captain who misses a lot of matches

 

[JohnnoMcJohnno]

I'm a big fan of Thompson. I reckon he'd make an excellent captain. He'd have a much better shot at geeing up the forwards than Widdop, and he wouldn't be afraid to speak his mind to the refs. He's shown leadership off the field with the mental health initiative. He's played in the backs as well as the forwards so he would understand the roles of each group.

But let's face it, Widdop will be captain again.

 

[Weipa Dragon]

He would be a great captain. He stands his ground without being a prick, he is articulate and very intimidating. He sure does rough up opposition so would have that bit of mongrel and spoken skills to shine.

 

[TomRedVRiver]

He's always injured, no good having a captain who misses a lot of matches

I agree Red he's injured a lot, if he could just stay injury free it'd be great to have him out there with the C next to his name. He's fine to play a constant 80 minutes too at full fitness too.
I just think Widdop is vanilla, he's not geeing the boys up and pressuring the referees like other captains are.
Thompson seems like a really inspiring figure, I think he deserves it more.

 

[BennyV]

Thompson is an ideal candidate for captain, he's a real leader and often drags players with him, especially in defence. Off the field, he does a lot of community work and seems well respected.

However, injury and ill-discipline let him down a touch. And realistically, he may be lucky to hold his spot over the next 2 years if guys like Host continue to rise.

 

[Dragonslayer]

I'm leaning to a joint-captaincy arrangement going forward.
I was really supportive of Widdop as captain, but after just 1 yr and seeing his game deteriorate dramatically (wether that be by himself or coaching) he just doesn't have what it takes to lead a team.

IMO, there are really only 5 candidates that could fill the captaincy role.

Dugan, Packer, Frizell, Thompson and Simms.
Out of these you'd have to pick a player or players that you'd want to keep at the club for an extended period of time. It would also help if they were on the field for more than 60 mins a game and were motivational and were at least able to communicate in relatively good English.

So that's why I'm in favour of a co-captaincy and my choice would be Frizell and Dugan, with the other 3 to form a senior playing group that could fit in to the role if one or both are injured or on rep duties.

 

[OzDragon]

You need a captain to always be talking/heard. Friz doesn't strike me as that type of player. He'll do his job and do it well, but I can't see him organising the team on the field. Dugan the obvious choice and Thompson if he can stay injury free and tone down the suspensions.

 

[dragonssamy61]

Thompson is an ideal candidate for captain, he's a real leader and often drags players with him, especially in defence. Off the field, he does a lot of community work and seems well respected.

However, injury and ill-discipline let him down a touch. And realistically, he may be lucky to hold his spot over the next 2 years if guys like Host continue to rise.

Hi benny
I recon we should let packer or sims have a go.
They would definitely put a lot of pressure on the refs
If I was a ref I wouldn't disagree with either of them.

 

[dangerousdave]

The concern with making Duges captain is it means we'd be looking to keep him on the books longer term. Unless he can show us considerably improved ball-playing skills this season, I can't see that being beneficial.

 

[Uplifting]

I get that Thompson does a lot to establish himself off the field - especially with the new guys coming in. But that could mean many things.

Sims and Packer are good leaders up front. But as for the club captain, if Widdop is in the team I think keep him as c.

 

[Gm5]

Sims and Thomo. While Friz is a great player he isn't vocal enough and that's important for a captain

 

[blacksafake]

I don't think you need a C next to your name to be a leader & to me Joel leads them anyway when on the field,especially the line speed in defence. Friz is the same.
I can't see it changing but would be ok if Duges was.

 

[BennyV]

I don't think you need a C next to your name to be a leader & to me Joel leads them anyway when on the field,especially the line speed in defence. Friz is the same.
I can't see it changing but would be ok if Duges was.

Which would be fine if our current captain was one of those leaders.

Widdop MIGHT grow into the role, but at the moment it looks like there are better candidates.

 

[Gareth67]

Finally we have some real size in the forwards , we need a captain who will give inspiration to the pack itself , and of course the entire team .

IMO that individual must come from the forwards themselves , I would like to see someone who constantly charges on to ball , and by so doing geeing-up the rest of the pack .

Simms , Packer both players put their heads down and do just that , either one would make a great captain , at this point far better than Widdop . Thompson has too many suspensions , Frizzell I believe the captaincy would detract from his natural game .

Who knows , if Hutchinson does turn out to be the goods , perhaps he may be able to take on the role himself the following year , nothing like watching a small half tearing strips of the big boys .

 

[Dragon Revival]

I agree with you Gareth67. Need to get both Captain and Coach right and firing.

 

[Uplifting]

Sims and Thomo. While Friz is a great player he isn't vocal enough and that's important for a captain

Action speak louder than words???

 

[TruSaint]

Action speak louder than words???

Not to the refs...

 

[RedVDave]

IMO Widdop doesn't want/like having the captaincy he played far better his previous 2 seasons without it I would give it to Duges or JT personally.