afgtnk wrote: ↑September 3, 2020, 9:58 am
I'm still waiting for one concrete example of how he's shown to be a strong leader, let alone mountains.
You're in denial dude. I rate your footy brain, and we agree on the vast majority of footy related things. This is a massive blind spot of yours unfortunately, and probably always will be.
It's here. It's provided.
There is multiple examples in this thread of his taking leadership on the field... even you concede his role as club captain off the field is a slam dunk, that also accounts for about 90% of the role of captain, which is pretty significant and you want to ignore it... there is endless testimonials about the man and his leadership, there has never been a single negative word uttered about him, but his team mates, his coaches, his administrators, the club staff, players who have left the club, coaches who have left the club, not a single insider has ever uttered a single word about concerns from anyone associated with him as a bad leader...
These clubs leak like a sieve. Players who have left the club, many of which have left on bad terms have absolute no reason not to leak his poor leadership and lack of respect to insiders. Why arent they? Why has this never been a thing over than from a handful of fans on this site?
Answer me that, if this guy is clearly such a poor on field leader that it is to the determent of the football team, why has this never come up in any forum other this this one? Why not on Fox? Nine? Not a single former player, former coach, administrator, commentator, talking head... none on them have ever once intimated this guy has questionable leadership.
We've had some down times where the team hasnt performed to the level you'd expect and when that happens, as we've seen with clubs like the Panthers, Sharks, Broncos now all you here is people citing "sources" about the lack of leadership. Those clubs have been PLAGUED by media personalities openly talking about how there is no leadership at the club, on or off the field during their down times. The bulldogs are getting it too. Parramatta got their fix of it as well a few years ago. The cowboys have faced these questions since losing JT due to poor performance.
He's been the captain since 2015, and not all those years have been rosey. Where is the commentary on our club our lack of leadership during those times. It hasnt existed.
So either we're the most buttoned up organisation in the history of sports, or it's just something that is not out there as a thing in the RL community.
Evidence for:
- The team doesnt roll over when they're down. This is a common theme of teams lacking leadership. The panthers game is a prime example, we got played off the park, most teams go on to concede 40+ in that game. We come out and knuckle down and win the second half. That's a team who has leadership that holds each and everyone accountable. That has been a hallmark of this team since Stuart handed him the captaincy, in 133 games since taking captaincy we've been beaten by more than 12 points only 13 times
- I dont know when the stat goes back to, but im going to assume it doesnt predate Croker's captaincy... during periods of the game when we are down a man with the sin bin, we are the best team in the league in that situation. I think it was we have actually outscored teams 36-32 in those periods. That speaks to the strength of the leadership in this team and Croker is the biggest cog in that leadership machine.
- Multiple times any game he is questioning the officials regarding calls, even in that game after the obstruction try, he's there putting the case forward after the incorrect call. He spoke to them multiple times at stoppages regarding the way the game was officiated (for all the good that did us). I'm not going to cite all the games because it's literally all the games including the one you're pissing and moaning about.
- Croker is a key member of the kick chase team, he always one of the first down field, you yourself have conceded this is generally a good sign of strong worth ethic and attitude. That's leadership.
- GF, completely shuts down Joesph Manu all game, they never really get a sniff down that side of the field despite being physically under matched. When the break is ultimately made on the other side of the field, around half way... Tedesco doesnt score under the sticks, why? Because Croker from the other side of the field is the guy forcing him into a more difficult kick to try and keep the game alive. No one else is near the Tedesco. That's the most high profile example but when a long break is made, you can bet your **** **** Croker is one of the first there to force a wider kick, or to patch holes in the middle to cover for slow forwards. He's saved countless tries just from drifting back into a void left by a fullback shading towards the open side because he's that guy who consistently and constantly makes the effort plays. That's leadership.
- Hodgson has spoken earnestly about him understanding that Croker is the captain of the team and how much he respects him and that role, hence why he pushed Croker to the front of the team and ran out behind him in the biggest game of their lives. That's the respect they have for him. The group he apparently is a poor leader for make sure in they're following him.
- The roosters game, we lose Hodgson, who apparently is General Patten, and we come out against a red hot roosters team and we bash them on our way to a really good win. You're telling me a team lacking leadership would do this?
- Everyone who has dealt with him speaks highly of his leadership qualities, including the co-captain who has spoken
AND SHOWN on the field time and time again the level of respect he has for Croker as the on-field captain.
- Off the park even you concede he's the perfect choice for the captaincy role, which again, that off the field stuff accounts for 90% of what the job of captain actually involves. He's beloved by the kids. He speaks and communicates clearly and effectively with all stakeholders. He's a cleanskin who isnt going to bring negative attention to the club. He's a noted hard worker on the training paddock and many players are on record as saying he sets the standard there. He's able to manage the workload of being a fulltime player with the added corporate responsibilities that come with being a captain.
- He was voted by his peers as Captain of the Year, proving he has the respect and admiration of his captain colleagues as an on field leader.
Evidence against:
- Croker didnt abandon his position in the defensive line to talk to the officials during live play about set restarts
- I dunno... he just doesnt fit my narrative of what a leader is.
Talk about a blind spot, friend.
What you and others are peddling here is, as per above, absolute **** rubbish. So my question becomes this - Stupid or liar?
Because you're either stupid and you dont understand what leadership is unless it comes in a form that fits a very narrow and rigid definition. Or, and my position on this is clear, you're a liar and you dont really believe this **** and it's just a means to pile on to a player you've been piling for years.
