Here are the 7 characteristics we should be looking out for and the question is which player meets these:
#1 – Extreme doggedness and focus in competition. #2 – Aggressive play that tests the limits of the rules. #3 – A willingness to do thankless jobs in the shadows. #4 – A low-key, practical, and democratic communication style. #5 – Motivates others with passionate nonverbal displays. #6 – Strong convictions and the courage to stand apart. #7 – Ironclad emotional control.
I don’t know if we have anyone who fits all those characteristics but I do know that being an introvert or not being the best player on the the team is fine.
I haven’t been able to log on for a while, but there is one player I have always struggled with and that is Langford. Yes, he’s a nice guy and respected by everyone, but I find him one of our most underwhelming players for his size and experience on our list. He has been this way basically his whole career. He has the size and attributes we have been desperately in need of for ever, but lacks the tenacity, doggedness, aggression, courage and passion that Reddog brings week in week out. Yes, he’s important structurally if he plays well, but I find him a constant disappointment when it comes to effort, and that is the one thing I believe, is all we are after as supporters. When I hear people saying he is in our best 3-4 players, or worse yet, suggest he be vice captain, I am genuinely scratching my head wondering if I have him completely wrong.
I say this all as a former Langford hater. I am converted. Langers behind the scenes is one of the few that drives standards, mentors the kids & carry’s himself like a true professional. Martin, Hobbs, Cox, Perkins etc have all said Kyle was the first to have taken them under his wing. Has been a few posts on here where grilled blokes for not adhering to team first standards, sprayed Shiel in front of everyone for interrupting a team meeting and is a bit of an on field coach when it comes to system and on field messaging.
I agree Langers is laconic and doesnt necessarily play with intensity, but behind the scenes he is absolute glue for our list. The talk of him in a leadership position isn’t based on 2 hours on Saturdays, but everything else he does throughout the week.
OK, I can accept he is a much greater leader and club person than I realised and I like him, but I just wished he was a bit meaner and quicker or desperate on the field.
Actually, I’m probably old school, but I was hoping for a coach with real aggression after Worsfold as well. I don’t know what I think of Rutten yet, but with our list, someone like Clarkson who demands and inspires effort. I suppose we’ll see.
You do understand it’s a turn of phrase and not meant to be taken literally. It’s actually exactly what you went on to describe. I’ll be mindful to dial back the hyperbole in the future.
Interesting that Merrett has done the post game on ground media 2 weeks running now and I love the way he has gone about it, hope he lands the captaincy.
alot of essendon fans still like to live in this utopian fairytale where their favourite players get success, instead of the gloomy pragmatic real world.
they then also somehow think that next year the club will just magically grow a set of balls and drop heppell if he’s underperforming, because there’s so much evidence of them doing it prior right ?
we were 2-10 odd this year and they hadn’t dropped him, what makes people think if they keep him around next year, they will drop him then when the heat is on the season to perform ?
it’s only since the bye where they didn’t drop him but moved him elsewhere that the team has started to play better. 3 wins since the bye, 2 now against top 8 sides have come while he’s not in the backline. the only loss to the bottom side was when he was in the backline.
we have how many ■■■■■■■ midfielders already who are spending WAY too much time in the forwardline cos they can’t actually grow a set and make a tough call on hepp ?
but again some want to waste another year next year, and opportunities to develop younger players, simply so they can get a chance at a warm fuzzy good feeling thinking that the team may get successful and drag hepp along with them, neglecting the fact he will simply be one of the anchors that holds the club back/down because you know all good sporting organisations around the world are run primarily based on sentiment.