Captaincy 2022 and beyond

[Matt]

I know Croker is still at the club, but as most would agree, his spot in FG or even the sport looks questionable.

Then next obvious option is Whitehead, but again, decline is a real concern here. The next thing is, should he make the switch to lock, does he play 80? Probably not.

Are we looking at a possible "2015 captaincy" delimma again? Ironically, the year Croker took over. Now, it's probably not an issue next year, barring injury to both the above guys, BUT... then who?

Wighton looks the most obvious, but id argue, to be a leader of men, you need to have all of your life working in the same direction, not sure he does. He doesn't take games by the scruff if the neck anyway, so I'd avoid.

Papa is an option. But would a "lead by example" guy work with such a young group? He isnt the loudest guy going around.

Tapine is too hot headed.

CNK?
Rapa? Mr can't challenge?!?

It's an interesting time. But I'd have Fog as a serious option already.

[Billy Walker]

I know Croker is still at the club, but as most would agree, his spot in FG or even the sport looks questionable.

Then next obvious option is Whitehead, but again, decline is a real concern here. The next thing is, should he make the switch to lock, does he play 80? Probably not.

Are we looking at a possible "2015 captaincy" delimma again? Ironically, the year Croker took over. Now, it's probably not an issue next year, barring injury to both the above guys, BUT... then who?

Wighton looks the most obvious, but id argue, to be a leader of men, you need to have all of your life working in the same direction, not sure he does. He doesn't take games by the scruff if the neck anyway, so I'd avoid.

Papa is an option. But would a "lead by example" guy work with such a young group? He isnt the loudest guy going around.

Tapine is too hot headed.

CNK?
Rapa? Mr can't challenge?!?

It's an interesting time. But I'd have Fog as a serious option already.

I’m happy with the Fog. Although in decline I like Whitehead the player, like Whitehead the man, but I’m not impressed with Whitehead the captain. I want to see CNK find the right home in the backline based on form not because there is a (c) beside his name. Jack and Papa - lead by example but that’s all. It’s Fog for me and I’d do it regardless of where Croker or Elliott end up.

Failing that - Adam Elliot would be a great leader. Not sure where he would lead us but geez it would be a wild ride getting there!

[Matt]

I know Croker is still at the club, but as most would agree, his spot in FG or even the sport looks questionable.

Then next obvious option is Whitehead, but again, decline is a real concern here. The next thing is, should he make the switch to lock, does he play 80? Probably not.

Are we looking at a possible "2015 captaincy" delimma again? Ironically, the year Croker took over. Now, it's probably not an issue next year, barring injury to both the above guys, BUT... then who?

Wighton looks the most obvious, but id argue, to be a leader of men, you need to have all of your life working in the same direction, not sure he does. He doesn't take games by the scruff if the neck anyway, so I'd avoid.

Papa is an option. But would a "lead by example" guy work with such a young group? He isnt the loudest guy going around.

Tapine is too hot headed.

CNK?
Rapa? Mr can't challenge?!?

It's an interesting time. But I'd have Fog as a serious option already.

I’m happy with the Fog. Although in decline I like Whitehead the player, like Whitehead the man, but I’m not impressed with Whitehead the captain. I want to see CNK find the right home in the backline based on form not because there is a (c) beside his name. Jack and Papa - lead by example but that’s all. It’s Fog for me and I’d do it regardless of where Croker or Elliott end up.

Failing that - Adam Elliot would be a great leader. Not sure where he would lead us but geez it would be a wild ride getting there!

I can see Fog with a VC this yr. So could well get a C at some point with injuries etc

[Raiders_Pat]

I'm not sure Fogarty would walk in and get the captaincy but I would be keen to see him in the vice captain role. I do think it's definitely something to consider though, at least initially as vice captain and eventually as captain. In an ideal world, I would like to see Fogarty as captain and one of either Papalii or Wighton as vice captain.

[Billy Walker]

Fog isn’t in the same class by any means but there are plenty of examples (I think) of players joining new clubs and getting the (c). I’m thinking Mitchell Pearce at Newcastle and When Mal joined us. I’m sure I’ll be told if I’m wrong.

[Hong Kong Raider]

I'd like to see CNK. He's all heart and leads by example. Also guaranteed to play 80 min - whether on the wing, fullback or centre.

Whitehead is an ineffective captain - hopeless challenges, he cannot lift the side, and refs don't take him seriously due to his complaints about everything and bad language used to communicate with them

[hrundi89]

Would Taps be more consistent and responsible if you gave him the C?

[-PJ-]

TommyTurbo.

[BadnMean]

Fog isn’t in the same class by any means but there are plenty of examples (I think) of players joining new clubs and getting the (c). I’m thinking Mitchell Pearce at Newcastle and When Mal joined us. I’m sure I’ll be told if I’m wrong.

I thought Lance was captain, with Mal taking over in 89...

[Northern Raider]

Would Taps be more consistent and responsible if you gave him the C?

His wife could captain via Twitter. Even manage our bench rotations at the same time.

[greeneyed]

Fog isn’t in the same class by any means but there are plenty of examples (I think) of players joining new clubs and getting the (c). I’m thinking Mitchell Pearce at Newcastle and When Mal joined us. I’m sure I’ll be told if I’m wrong.

I thought Lance was captain, with Mal taking over in 89...

Correct. Lance took over from Ron Giteau in 1986, the year when Meninga arrived. Interestingly, Meninga was captain on game day, in his first game with the club. But that was only because Lance didn’t play in Round 1.

[sprintman]

Fog will be later but not now.

[Azza]

Foghorn leghorn

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[Billy Walker]

Fog isn’t in the same class by any means but there are plenty of examples (I think) of players joining new clubs and getting the (c). I’m thinking Mitchell Pearce at Newcastle and When Mal joined us. I’m sure I’ll be told if I’m wrong.

I thought Lance was captain, with Mal taking over in 89...

Correct. Lance took over from Ron Giteau in 1986, the year when Meninga arrived. Interestingly, Meninga was captain on game day, in his first game with the club. But that was only because Lance didn’t play in Round 1.

So even though I was clearly wrong (thanks BnM) I was actually correct on a technicality (thanks GE). I’ll take it

[BadnMean]

So even though I was clearly wrong (thanks BnM) I was actually correct on a technicality (thanks GE). I’ll take it

He could have just stitched me right up and left it at, "actually Meninga was captain from his very first match."

[RedRaider]

I expect to see the 'c' beside EW to open the season. Jamal as an 80 minute player and at 7 will be close to the action so I expect him to be in some senior capacity within the side. Possibly standing in for EW if/when he is off the field. Rapa takes matters into his own hands often without the 'c' beside his name. Of the youngsters HSS seems to play unflustered under pressure. I don't know if he has any Captaincy experience. I want to see Mooney make it in FG as a player before looking at any leadership role.

[Roger Kenworthy]

Croker will be captain for Round 1. Literally no chance of it being anyone else so long as he's fit.

[Brew]

I don’t know why cause he probably shouldn’t be given extra responsibilities but I’d like to see Jack with the C next thing his name. Just think he is a leader, more with his actions when in 2020 he took it upon himself to show by example.

He is a state and international player, a Clive Churchill and Dally M medalist, that is someone I want leading my team.


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[BadnMean]

Croker will be captain for Round 1. Literally no chance of it being anyone else so long as he's fit.

Barring some good form in the trials, where he absolutely deserves a chance- I don't think Croker makes it into round 1 lineup...

[Billy Walker]

Croker will be captain for Round 1. Literally no chance of it being anyone else so long as he's fit.

He has captained us to the highest number of losses in our club’s history. Sure let’s run with that plan again I guess.

[Roger Kenworthy]

Croker will be captain for Round 1. Literally no chance of it being anyone else so long as he's fit.

Barring some good form in the trials, where he absolutely deserves a chance- I don't think Croker makes it into round 1 lineup...

When it comes to the Raiders I back him to be selected on name, rather than merit.

[Hong Kong Raider]

Croker will be captain for Round 1. Literally no chance of it being anyone else so long as he's fit.

Barring some good form in the trials, where he absolutely deserves a chance- I don't think Croker makes it into round 1 lineup...

When it comes to the Raiders I back him to be selected on name, rather than merit.

I'm really struggling understanding why some people think Croker should get to 300 games. Sure - we want him to get to 300 games if he displayed his former abilities and form.

However Croker was dead set one of the worst, if not the worst centre in the NRL last year. I am not being disrespectful. You can go through the NRL list yourself. Aaron Schoupp, the Bulldogs centre, was better than him. And that's even before a cost / benefit analysis where the Parra centre Penisini and Paul Momirovski would come out on top. Unfortunately he's lost his ability to get through gaps and also chase and score from bombs and kicks. When he's been in the clear, close to the line, and the old Croker would certainly score - he didn't (think of the Cronulla game in the second half). His defence was a liability. Opposition teams will definitely target him in defence next year if he is starting, and based on the last year, he's no threat in attack and does not make many metres coming out of our end. If he's to come back, it should be to show some form and consistency in NSW Cup first.

[jimmy82]

6. J. Wighton (c)
7. Fogarty (vc)

Having the captaincy might be just what he needs to go next level.

[magoo]

I'll take Papa for captain, l believe he's our best player and the captaincy will bring out his best form every game

[FuiFui BradBrad]

I’m always a bit funny when it comes to giving new signings the (C). I dunno, I think newbies need to prove themselves worthy.

It’s a hard one. I’d be interested to see if they do those Leadership personality tests. If they do, give it to whoever tops the results. Sometimes the best leader isn’t the most obvious choice.

Barring that, if I was to take a punt… Rapa maybe?

I'll take Papa for captain, l believe he's our best player and the captaincy will bring out his best form every game

Or he crumbles to the pressure and brings out his worst form.

[MrMilk]

Hard no for Jack as captain. He has always seemed like a confidence player and not comfortable in the media spotlight. Coming off a disastrous post-Dally M season, we need to get him focussed on becoming our matchwinner again

[1992]

Would Taps be more consistent and responsible if you gave him the C?

His wife could captain via Twitter. Even manage our bench rotations at the same time.

I am very confident she would do a better job then Ricky.

Let's go Brandon.

[magoo]

I’m always a bit funny when it comes to giving new signings the (C). I dunno, I think newbies need to prove themselves worthy.

It’s a hard one. I’d be interested to see if they do those Leadership personality tests. If they do, give it to whoever tops the results. Sometimes the best leader isn’t the most obvious choice.

Barring that, if I was to take a punt… Rapa maybe?

I'll take Papa for captain, l believe he's our best player and the captaincy will bring out his best form every game

Or he crumbles to the pressure and brings out his worst form.

Not Papa, he rises to the big occasions

[BadnMean]

I think Papa could rise to it.

He'd need a 2ic for when he's off the field though. That might be a good way to see how Fogarty or someone else get eased into it.

CNK has the qualities but I'm not sure it's easy to captain from FB. He's busy enough when doing that.

[Raider Azz]

Papalii is not going to be captain. He has gone on the record saying he does not want to be captain. He would've been named captain years ago if he wanted it.

[Billy Walker]

Call me crazy but something I look for in a captain is leadership and the establishment and maintenance of culture. It’s beyond me that Havilli who has signed with south’s is in the media talking about his expectations that Starling will bounce back from his latest arrest but I’m yet to see anything from our current captains. Over on the Rapa thread Finchy is tallying up the indiscretions over the last 3 years and it’s an ugly story. Rewind it further and there is gets worse on the foul culture and discipline that has been a feature on the watch of the current captain. Any change works for me but outside influence is needed. Give the Fog the (c)!

[FuiFui BradBrad]

If Croker is gone, and we need to find someone else, I’ll suggest Starling.

Dude looks to have won Best and Fairest and POTY awards in each division he’s played in. Best 9 we have in the team at the moment. Strikes me as the kind of person who trains the house down.

Hand him the 9 jersey and the armband and see what happens.

I’m always a bit funny when it comes to giving new signings the (C). I dunno, I think newbies need to prove themselves worthy.

It’s a hard one. I’d be interested to see if they do those Leadership personality tests. If they do, give it to whoever tops the results. Sometimes the best leader isn’t the most obvious choice.

Barring that, if I was to take a punt… Rapa maybe?

I'll take Papa for captain, l believe he's our best player and the captaincy will bring out his best form every game

Or he crumbles to the pressure and brings out his worst form.

B****y hell. Everyone I’ve put forward for captain this off-season have gone and got themselves in strife.

For the good of the team, I’m going to stop making suggestions.

[Akyle1994]

Whitehead is locked in until 2024 so I think he’s our safest option going forward given recent events.

[Hong Kong Raider]

Just wanted to bring this up again - has Ricky said who will be captain in 2022? I wasn't impressed with Whitehead's captaincy, refs don't take him seriously, he complains too much so it dilutes his effectiveness when there's a real issue, and he shouldn't be using bad language at them (example: Gerard Sutton). I also thought his captain's challenges were poor. And his form was bad - we blamed Sammy Williams for his shocking defence but if you watch closely in the Manly second game Moses Suli made Whitehead into a turnstile.

I'm for CNK, Jack or even a left field option like Tapine. I know you may laugh as he's previously a hot head but he's really controlled that part of his game in the last two years (e.g. Stephen Crichton goaded him after scoring the try and celebrated in his face but Tapine was calm) and he can lead by example with his aggression. Can you imagine if someone like Bellamy or Trent Robinson was his coach? He would be a top 5 player. It would be a leadership group and CNK and Jack can do the majority of the media stuff.

[Billy Walker]

Look if we don’t think Adam Elliot is the immediate obvious choice then the fall back is the status quo - JC is skipper with Whitehead taking the reigns while JC is injured (4 out of first 6 rounds) by which time Fogarty has strung enough together to give him the gig as JC retires, Whitehead battles for a starting role and Fogarty leads us to the promised land.