Disagree with all the Hurley bashing (maybe be bias), but has been through a lot with Essendon and is a stalwart of the club. I am sure he offers a lot of the field as well to younger players.
Having said that Heppell was always going to be captain again, adding McGrath and Merrett is great and Hurley makes a good mix of experience.
I got the alert from the official app and whilst reading the story all I could think about was “I wonder what posters on Blitz will complain about after reading this”. I think I need a break!
Who is better?
The only bashing is for blokes that don’t follow the game plan. Hurley hasn’t bought in to the game plan since the Hird Era.
Don’t get all the Hurley hate around here. Yes he’s not the player he was a few years ago but he’s clearly a man with a lot of experience both on and off the field, and will no doubt impart a lot of knowledge to our young players. I have no doubt a lot of them would ask him for advice. Its a totally valid and understandable appointment IMO.
It’s a four man leadership group and there were two changes from last year. One of the new inclusions is 22.
Are they chosen by the playing group?
I think the group is solid. Nothing stopping others showing leadership on and off the ground.
I’m happy with that
Heppell was always going to be voted in again
For much of the same reasons Hurls does as well. His care for his team mates is huge.
Merrett as has been reported from training is making a big effort to help out other young players and be a positive personality, the things he wasn’t doing previously. I don’t buy the ‘he doesn’t want to be here’ narrative. Any employee can have issues with their employer/work place, doesn’t mean they are angling to leave. Especially if issues voiced and change occurred, Brasher was well onto it.
McGrath a no brainer to be put up, he’s already dragging the entire young group along with him. He’ll be captain in 2023 IMO
…
Of note really is the addition and then deletion of both Shiel and Smith. The latter of you were to take a guess as to who was abusing Saad onfield. I’m not sure he really is a leader. Shiel the big one really to drop out, did he play selfish footy too often and not follow the game plan, his B&F results weren’t great. If there are only 4 spots I’m having the others ahead of him.
Hopefully whatever feedback came their way in the voting process stings the both of them into action
Which game plan, The Whoosha one, Bomber Thompson ? Isn’t that half the argument on this forum not a good game plan or non-existent?
Smiths lack of leadership last season was one of the biggest disappointments.
As I’ve said, the hate is for players that don’t follow game plans.
He hasn’t followed one since Hird was coach.
Ignoring players that are open and on the move, holding up play so the opposition can set up, and then bombing down the line…
Must be our game plan, when most players are trying to get the ball moving and rebound quickly.
Edit: regardless of whether the game plan is good or not… you follow the coaches plan, otherwise you have 22 individuals running around doing their own thing.
ahh the essendon MO since 2005
Maybe that was the game plan?
If Hurley was a rouge, didn’t follow game plan, did what he wanted, why would he be selected as a leader, really contradicts what you are saying.
Leadership groups are dumb just have a captain only
Edit - Merret C
McGrath VC
No leadership group that would have been my choice
I’m hoping Merrett’s inclusion is a sign that he is staying.
More likely it’s a sign that he is leaving.
If you want to believe that ignoring players who are open in the corridor or on the fat side flank and letting the opposition set up, so we can kick the ball straight to the opposition ruckman… feel free.
You lot are a sad bunch
This is about the best group we could have put together.
The only other inclusion I would have liked to see would have been Langford, but he’s still building and will be there next season im sure.
Merretts inclusion is a sign he was voted in - nothing more or less
Langford is definitely being a leader at training right now. He will push up in future years you’d think.