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September 26, 2006
Harley to lead Cats in 2007
Tom Harley will skipper the Cats in 2007 after Steven King expressed his desire to step away from the role and concentrate on his football.Harley, a veteran of 142 games was one of three vice-captains in 2006 and is one of the club’s most respected players.
“Whilst Steven sees the captaincy as a great honour, the time has come for him to concentrate on his role as one of the premier ruckmen in the AFL,” Geelong president Frank Costa said.
“Steven communicated this to the club and we agree with his view on the captaincy.
“Tom has earned enormous respect throughout the club and indeed in the wider football community. He is a player that has worked as hard as anyone to have a successful career. Everyone knows that we are a much better team when Tom is on the field and he again showed this in 2006.”
Firstly I'd like to congratulate Tom Harley on becoming the new captain of the GFC and wish him the best of luck in the role.
King has done the right thing in stepping down, if he didn't step down I'm sure he wouldn't have been captain at the club next season anyways, but why Tom Harley?
Harley seems to have excellent communication skills everytime I hear him interviewed on TV or radio and bleeds blue & white. After the Round 2 game versus Carlton in 2004 a Tom Harley post match interview on 3AW inspired Robert Walls to go out and buy a Geelong Football Club membership. In my opinion Harley is a better communicator than Steven King.
However the issue surrounding Harley is, is he fit enough to get on ground 22+ games a year. Afterall, that was King's major criticism, that he could never get his body right and spent tens of games of his tenure on the sidelines or in the coaches box. Harley after all does have an unhealthly history with injuries. He has managed only 13 games a season for the past 2 years, however Brian Cook has stated "he is in the best physical shape he has been in for a long time".
We certainly hope so Brian...
Posted by Sammy D at September 26, 2006 02:58 PM
Comments
I agree Sammy. I didn't understand the appointment of Harley purely because he too is injury prone but I think if he is able to get on the park he'll be a great leader.
Who would your choice have been?
Posted by: Sticko at September 26, 2006 05:24 PM
Do you know what Tom Harley said on 3AW?
Posted by: ricketts at September 26, 2006 06:44 PM
Sticko, I feel for the board because there isn't anyone out there that just beams captain. I thought it was Mooney had to makings if he wasn't so illdisciplined. It might sound ridiculous but maybe Co-captains? I know it hasn't worked all that well down here before but you have guys like Joel Corey, Jarad Rooke etc who bust their guts for the cause and show leadership on the field but are quiet off the field. So I was thinking one onfield leader and one off field leader, but I don't know how that would work...
Ling would seem a possibility but would probably the least talented captain in a tie with Richie Vandenberg, plus if I had my way he won't be around in a years time or two ;).
The popular choice seems to be Chappy. Quality player, tough as nails and seems comfortable being in the media whenever I have seen him but I restate it is tough. Who would have you appointed?
2. Ricketts, I really can't remember mate, but I'll have a search around the internet for you and see what I can dig up.
Posted by: Sammy D at September 26, 2006 07:34 PM
I really don't know who I would have chosen. I love the way chappy goes about it so probably him. Oh well it's done now. I hope the club has gotten it right and in a few years we are speaking about what a masterstroke it was to appoint him captain. This of course will be while he is holding up the cup and I'm drinking my dads favorite Glen Fiddich!
Posted by: Sticko at September 27, 2006 01:52 AM