Yes you read that right. Do not get me wrong Cameron Ling is an amazing player who bleeds blue and white and has even been mayor of Geelong for a day after their 2007 Grand Final win. I tip him to be the new Billy Brownless who will always be a part of the football club even after he retires, yet was he the right choice to lead Geelong in 2010 onwards?
Cameron Ling is the new Geelong captain, however we look at that maybe it was the wrong decision
To me the three obvious choices where Cameron Ling who has lead the club in Tom Harley‘s absence in 2009. Gary Ablett is the other obvious choice and many fans thought him being the captain was the perfect carrot to help him stay at Geelong and over turn the Gold Coast offer.
The third obvious choice in my opinion was Joel Selwood “the wonder kid” who has done what no other AFL footballer has managed to do in only three years. I think its obvious that he will be the captain sooner than later. In last years finals series, many times it was Joel and not Harley or Ling who stood in the middle of the huddles and spoke/ challenged the club to lift.
To me that is what Geelong need rather than picking the ‘romantic’ choice as Brian Cook commented.
Some may argue that his age was a worry and the reason why Geelong would not pick him, however lets remember Brian Cook was behind John Worsfold being picked as the West Coast Eagles captain in the early 90s. What followed was three grand finals, two premierships, 9 final series and 8-9 years of leading the club.
Stephen Kernahan, Wayne Carey & Michael Voss are other successful choices where the club picked a young successful player who had natural leadership qualities and they and the club shined under their captaincy.
One the other hand, Ben Cousins is one recent failure but it does need to taken into account that he already had his issues. Who really failed was the club and not Ben.
So what do you think? Do you think Geelong should have choosen Joel Selwood instead or you think Cameron Ling the “romantic choice” was the right decision? Let us know your views and what you think.
The other people in the leadership group are Gary Ablett, Jimmy Bartel, Joel Corey, Corey Enright, Joel Selwood, James Kelly and Harry Taylor. Any surprises there?
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January 21st, 2010 at 7:53 am
I can’t help but think they have made the right move.
Ablett: Isn’t a natural leader
Selwood: Will be better served by being able to focus on his football and lead when it feels natural rather than having the tag.
Ling on the other hand is a match hardened footballer who has been around the traps for a while. Let him lead the team (often by example) for two or three years and then re-evaluate the options.
Cheers.
January 21st, 2010 at 10:58 am
@James, thanks for your comments. I understand why Cameron Ling was chosen. As you say he is match harden, will do a good job and knows how to lead as he has done it before. He is the safe “know what you get” decision…
However Selwood (and yes im a huge Selwood fan) as the new captain he will have a few years to develop as captain while still playing under and getting help when needed by players like Ling, Scarlett etc. And when they have retired he will be an experienced captain and be able to lead the ‘new’ bread of Geelong players into a new era.
January 22nd, 2010 at 1:29 pm
Jermayn, you have definitely got the wrong end of the pineapple on this one. Ling is absolutely the right man for the job. Selwood has plenty of time.
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January 25th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
I have no doubt Ling will do a fascinating job and will be the right man for the job, I am just exploring the thought that maybe looking long term Selwood could be an even better suggestion. Ling to me is just a short term captain…
February 16th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
Linga is definately the right choice, He is always directing the players on the ground, and always talks at the huddles and he did that all through the finals, just because you saw one piece of footage at half time of the Grand Final of Selwood talking to the boys does not mean that Lingy and tom didnt lead the club through the finals, plus Geelong are the reigning Premiers so we dont need a captain who will lead us forward to be good in a few years we are a good side now and we need an experienced Skipper to maintain that. joel still has a lot to learn
February 17th, 2010 at 10:02 am
@Lauren, thanks for your comments and we at Kick2Kick hope you continue to express your views here
I have no doubt Linga will be a great captain I just personally think its a short term solution where Selwood is a long term solution. BUT you may be right that if Selwood takes over the captaincy now, it could (I personally doubt it but..) decrees their current premiership window where Linga as current captain could mean the window stays open for another year or two.