The Leadership Group.
Written by Nathan Sepe
Loud and proud at the club’s second open training session for the year, Michael Voss announced the new leadership group for 2022, cultivating a mix of unique individuals who allow intellectual football smarts and leadership qualities to provide new determination out on the ground.
“Heavily invested” was noticeably mentioned by Voss in his crowd address, highlighting the unique characteristics that were evaluated when choosing this group, a push for what the club wants to stand for.
When we take a look at our two vice-captains, they don’t fall short of heavily invested, Jacob Weitering and Sam Walsh, both of which have never played a season over eight wins. In saying that, as a player, it would be intensely unmotivating to play your best footy and stand up in a team that often falls flat in big moments, however, these two are a staple of the intensity and passion the club strives for weekly.
Patrick Cripps, the standalone captain, has also presented himself as the ultimate warrior when it comes to on-field leadership, providing those uplifting moments in times of need. Cripps unlike the other two has had experience in the leadership realm, sharing the last captaincy position with Sam Docherty.
When we speak about club values, it is important to recognise those who placed the club above themselves, Sam Docherty to be precise. A player who has faced such adversity put it upon himself to relieve himself of the co-captaincy position for the greater good of the club, a moving narrative that can go the distance to reinvigorate the squad from top to bottom.
All three of these players possess the quality to create character for each individual and coordinate values throughout the club, but let’s dive into each of these three and take a look at where the real strengths lie, and where downfalls can occur.
Captain: Patrick Cripps
Cripps has established himself as the prime leader throughout the last three years in his previous co-captaincy role, however, it’s hard to tell from the outside the impact he has on the group.
Whilst it’s hard to make a judgement based on his on-field attributes, the way he presents himself to the media and speaks about the group should be credited much higher.
When speaking about the role, he emphasised the importance of attachment to the game itself and connecting the group to create the “best place possible” and “maximise our potential”.
Whilst words speak louder than actions on most occasions, often in the past these words have fallen flat, however, with the sole responsibility of captaincy this year for Cripps, maybe the words mean more, not an agreed interpretation between co-captains on what they hope is achieved rather what they know can be achieved.
Cripps is a player that can influence a game both on and off the field, instrumental to the emphasis of a well-rounded club with values that can be measured on and off the field.
When we take a look at the possible negatives with Cripps in this role, the obvious reason stands out that he is much more focused on his game, rather than his ability to lead others for the entirety of the match.
What we’ve seen in recent years with Cripps, is that often his subdued game, which is more assist-based, handballs and short kicks, tends to cultivate a greater mix of positioning and tactical creativity for himself and others, putting us in winnable positions most of the time.
However, when his game is much more contested and physical, he tends to place his focus into individual game-changing, and forget the focus of others around him. This is not a negative solely for Cripps, most on-ballers will have this tendency to hunt the ball and forget what’s around them for the most part.
The three years of experience for Cripps so far may be heavily criticised due to the poor leadership around him, however, it’s a fresh start for most in the club and for Cripps, which may spark some drive he’s lost in the past few years due to poor structures leadership wise.
Vice Captain: Jacob Weitering
Weitering adopting the vice-captaincy was a non-negotiable for many of the Carlton faithful. For a player who has stuck it out since the start of his career in a dire atmosphere and culture, he still has given the club 100% each week.
We got a taste of what Weiters had to offer at the end of last year, filling in the captaincy role for Cripps against Collingwood, a day honouring the legend Sergio Silvangi. Externally there isn’t enough evidence to say his process was a success due to the one-game variable, however, on such a momentous occasion, he stood tall and lifted the team in such an emotional afternoon.
When differentiating Weitering’s unique qualities in comparison to Cripps and Walsh, Weitering’s ability to read the play and shutdown not only his opponent, but others around him is a key quality when making and leading key tactical decisions within the game.
For a side that has now overtime decreased in average age, Weitering is in his prime for that group. Culturally his outtake on how to lead is most likely to be suited to the majority of the group, which can be a relieving aspect for a new leader looking to gain confidence in their character as a valued leader.
If we take a look at where Weiters may struggle, as mentioned before, the balance of being a strong tactical asset and a strong leader may collide for Weiters. As he’s adopted a very intellectual game style, his focus may be subsided by the duties of leading on the ground.
For Weiters, it’s key that he balances the two and finds a way for his leadership to positively influence his own game rather than focusing on others and how they function tactically.
This is probably the best captaincy appointment for the Blues, a determined individual who can manipulate the game with the way he controls the backline, a fantastic asset to a refreshed group.
Vice Captain: Sam Walsh
It is the recognition the young star deserves. A talented and focused individual that has an internal drive like no other, at least nothing comparable to the likes of Chris Judd and Marc Murphy of previous years.
It is an interesting selection nonetheless. Walsh has come across as mentioned, an internally motivated player with an ambition to play his role and ultimately do what’s best for the team, doing the little things to please others.
For Walsh, his strengths are witnessed on the playing field. When times are tough on the field for some players, watching someone like Walsh who possesses such individual brilliance and passion is a motivator for four quarters, and often will do more than words can when it comes down to tight scenarios in matches.
The appointment for Walsh may be considered too young for some, however, we may be overestimating the role Walsh will have in providing such intense leadership.
The role for Walsh is an opportunity for him to be mentored in the role, adapting to the changes as a player, whilst also learning to balance his approach to footy and leadership.
Much like Weiters, the worry for Walsh is losing his ability to stay focused on his game and such place more emphasis on leading others. This seems less likely for someone like Walsh, however, it is a minor thing that can hurt us in big moments if these things happen.
It’s a new start for Walsh, one that was destined to happen, sooner than we expected maybe, but very glad it’s already here!
