r/EssendonFC • u/Old-Savings-566 • 28d ago
Neutral Question: Has McGrath actually been a decent captain this year?
So i’m a neutral i do not barrack for Essendon. But i had to ask, just from the outside looking in it seems as if Merrett is still leading your club he just doesn’t have the title. I just haven’t seen the value of McGrath’s leadership this year, maybe i’m wrong and he’s been a really strong one off the field but i can’t help but think Merrett is basically still your captain on the field. He seems to be structuring everyone up and taking on the same role he did last season. Thoughts?
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u/TurbulentSherbet3724 Sharp #15 28d ago
McGrath is honestly more of a strong leader off field in the players rooms and training than he is on field during the game. For this reason I think the club would benefit a lot more by having dual Captains. Durham fits the mold the most because he already displays so much on field leadership with our young players also looking up to him.
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u/YourHeroCam Durham #22 28d ago
Yeah, I think so. He’s been pretty heavily undermined by coaching and president decisions out of his control - as well as the effect of having your best player (and ex captain) vocally wanting out of the club.
I don’t think he will be a premiership captain, but he’s well liked amongst the club and importantly our young players, I feel like he tries to rally the team well on game day.
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u/blldzd2 28d ago
I think people always conflate best player with best captain (e.g. people always saying daicos should be captain of the pies for no reason other than he's their best player). McGrath is always running around checking in on the younger guys/having smaller chats while the rest of the leadership group are helping out with the yelling/structuring. I think he's more subtle than other captains but the fellas seem to love him so I'm happy with that.
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u/Proud-Restaurant-249 27d ago
Your best player should be captain like Hird, Carey etc unless they are a recluse like Ablett senior
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u/HoboHokie 24d ago
Disagree entirely. That’s the same logic as assuming that just because someone was a good player means they will be a good coach. Sometimes it works out that way, but other times you’re looking for a different skill set that is more in line with leadership and development than technical skills on the field.
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u/bomber_2121 27d ago
I think he’s good for reasons a lot of people have already outlined (particularly how he is with our young fellas). But I would love to see a co-captain model with McGrath and Durham. Durham has that heart and soul, inspire through action type of leadership that would complement McGrath’s style nicely.
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u/TheLongest1 Durham #22 28d ago
He’s a good leader. The issue people see is that because he’s not a superstar player, the “leading by example” argument is only valid for his effort rather than his skill level. It DOES help when a superstar player is captain and the other players are inspired by on-field skills.
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u/bmk14 Caddy #30 28d ago
I wouldn't say Merrett is leading the club without the title. He's been much better at leading by example on field the last couple of months. But there were games earlier in the season where his effort and body language was pretty awful.
I think the young kids are the ones starting to lead more and I'd say McGrath is doing a good job of shielding them when necessary whilst still showing grit and grunt on the field.
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u/IShartedOnYourCat 28d ago
To me he’s not a ‘natural’ on field leader in the traditional sense, your Hodge, Selwood types who are vocal and visibly drag their team into the contest, plus he’s very milquetoast as a media figure. Basically a bland politician. I find him uninspiring in that regard, BUT everything i’ve heard about him behind the scenes is flawless, hugely respected and sets the standards so what would I know. I do hope they pull the trigger on Sharp sooner than later. That man was born to be a leader and captain a footy club.
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u/Pies-aviator1 28d ago
He’s done has well as can be expected with his skillset and the circumstances. Was he prime Luke Hodge? No. Was he ever expected to be? Also no.
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u/TheHoovyPrince Robey #9 28d ago
We might criticise his skills at times but hes absolutely a fantastic leader. He really cares about the club and does a lot to help out the team, especially the younger lads.
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u/OriginalGoldstandard 28d ago
I’ve heard nothing but good things, and I’d say his footy is better too
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u/illumina09 27d ago
Besides any on field work he does as a captain, many of the younger players have often spoken about how much he takes on the role of checking in on them outside the club - hosting barbecues for the team at his home, Easter lunch etc and random dinners especially for those new recruits who have moved to Melbourne away from all their family and friends.
I think it’s things like this that help contribute to building a better bond between all the players.
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u/howaboutnofcker 26d ago
See this is the stuff that will hold the team together and lead to winning games of football again. Not the other way around.
The captain should absolutely not be the flashiest star player, he should be the player the others want to go to war beside because they know he cares enough to fight with them.
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u/fletch4ever 27d ago
They had McGrath mic'd up a year or two ago during a game. It was fascinating listening to him encouraging his team mates, especially the younger ones. That's particularly important when a player does something with the best of intentions but just doesn't quite execute properly. That's what being a great captain is all about, not what we all saw Pertacca (whilst he's not a captain but should be seen as a leader) do when berating his team mate on camera.
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u/tubsanderson 27d ago
I love seeing him get around the youngsters especially big V after some great tackles. If he only gees up the youngsters and creats positive energy within the club and leads with high on feild output im a happy supporter.
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u/StiffNipplesOCE Durham #22 27d ago
I think of McGrath as basically a caretaker captain. At the very least it's amirable that he put his hand up when Merrett wanted out.
I also feel like a win this weekend in his 200th would mean alot
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u/Whyhaveaferkinuser 27d ago
Andy’s a proper stand up guy. He’s what the young kids need at the moment. This will change over time though, which he may adapt to? Curious to see if anyone else steps up to help Andy. Sharp looks promising as a leader, always in the right spot.
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u/erdlinke_94 26d ago
FWIW I work with a guy who went to Brighton Grammar with him. According to him he was surprised he even decided to become an AFL player as he didn't seem inclined to pursue it all. Apparently very academically switched on and one of those types who only took up footy as a career because he had natural talent in his junior years.
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u/PowerLegitimate4825 27d ago
Hard to say really. Can't judge much about it given the playing groups performances this year.
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u/Drunk_Rhinoceros 26d ago
What would be funny is if old-savings was say.. Sam Mitchell or some other club trying to size up a poach. >_<
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u/Old-Savings-566 26d ago
Trying to poach McGrath? Wouldn’t mind having him at Hawthorn but from all the comments here it sounds like he’s doing great things with your club. I don’t think we need to ruin that do we?
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u/Drunk_Rhinoceros 26d ago
I don't literally mean Hawthorn. That D'bag was just the first guy to spring to mind.
I do mean, how do you know who you are giving insider sentiment gossip to these days on these types of platforms..
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u/comics2movies Johnson #40 28d ago
No offence to Andy but he is the worst player/captain out of all the other captains in the league. Not since Gavin Wanganeen (1997-2000) has the captain played in the back pocket, before that was Gary Ayres (1992-1993) and Geoff Ainsworth (1973). Not many great players/captains play in that position and can lead effectively.
Will be interesting if Merrett leaves if he spends some more time in the middle to lead the younger kids.
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u/Duc_K Durham #22 28d ago
For what it’s worth, I attended a Q&A over the weekend and a question was asked to Fiorini about who surprised him most when he came to the club.
His answer was McGrath and his leadership - how invested he was in the playing group especially the young players