Stewie - Lead - Follow - or Get out of the way

[Quiet_Observer]

Originally posted by ugg
Interesting development:

http://smh.com.au/news/AFL/Swans-skipper-to-call-Melbourne-home/2005/05/03/1114886315542.html

Possible reason for his poor form so far?

I certainly can't blame Stewart or the club putting family ahead of football in his move back to Melbourne, but they really need to replace him as captain. This will remove the obvious pressure on him at the moment and also provide a captain that is visible to the team for the whole week.

[ScottH]

Probably why he has been Captain Agro so far this year. Hopefully a contented father will make him a better captain.

[Schneiderman]

Originally posted by Quiet_Observer
I certainly can't blame Stewart or the club putting family ahead of football in his move back to Melbourne, but they really need to replace him as captain. This will remove the obvious pressure on him at the moment and also provide a captain that is visible to the team for the whole week.

Kick him while he's down I say!! We have lost a grand total of four games so far this year (and not exactly Stewie's fault), which is the sum total of what Richmond WON last year, but people are willing to sink the boot in

Give the guy at least until he knows he cant do any more to get the team up. Letting him step down should come hand in hand with a youth policy, and only once we are certain of missing the finals. Anyone whose ever met Stewie knows he does everything for the club, so let him decide when.

[motorace_182]

I totally support the concept of Maxfield moving from Melbourne to Sydney midweek and still play for the Sydney Swans FC. But I dont think that he should still be captain. Its simply not practicle. Ask anyone why Stewie makes a good captain... is it onfield performances? Is it inspirational speeches? No. His best attribute is the way he leads at training. He will be the first to arrive, last to leave, and will train his heart out. If he cant be there while the other blokes are in recovery after a big game, what good is he as captain?
He should still play, but sacrifice the captaincy.

[pillowtalk]

Originally posted by motorace_182
I totally support the concept of Maxfield moving from Melbourne to Sydney midweek and still play for the Sydney Swans FC. But I dont think that he should still be captain. Its simply not practicle. Ask anyone why Stewie makes a good captain... is it onfield performances? Is it inspirational speeches? No. His best attribute is the way he leads at training. He will be the first to arrive, last to leave, and will train his heart out. If he cant be there while the other blokes are in recovery after a big game, what good is he as captain?
He should still play, but sacrifice the captaincy.

I totally agree. Putting family first and foremost is a priority but in doing so he should sacrifice the captaincy. They need a captain to be there 100% of the time, especially for guidance to the younger players and to inspire his team mates. Will Stewie stay on as captain ? Will it work ?

[sharpie]

I made a rash vote for him to make way, but have to now agree that he definitely is in no position to captain the team anymore, but he should continue to play.

[giant]

No problems with him commuting - can only help I would think. Don't see how you can captain in these circumstances tho. How to handle the transition tho is a difficult one...

[Schneiderman]

So the club talks him into doing the whole commute thing, against his wishes, and then what?... takes away the captaincy too?

I dont think you people are thinking this through. Look I agree he is not the best choice for captain anymore, but noone has yet given a compelling reason to realistically make him give it up. Fine if we say that he cant possibly be allowed to captain again next year, or fine if he captains if and when the season is over.

But not now, especially in light of his personal life.

[Sanecow]

Didn't Minton-Connell used to fly in / fly out?

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by Schneiderman
So the club talks him into doing the whole commute thing, against his wishes, and then what?... takes away the captaincy too?

Where did you get the idea that the club is forcing him to commute against his wishes?

"I wanted to spend a bit more time with my children, so it's been great to get the support from the club."

"We explored it with Stuart and he was a little bit reluctant but once he was down there last week, being with them for three days I think he's really pleased about it, and we believe as a club it's the right thing to happen."

Sounds like the club came up with the idea, Maxfield didn't think it would work at first, tried it and is now pleased with it.

I dont think you people are thinking this through. Look I agree he is not the best choice for captain anymore, but noone has yet given a compelling reason to realistically make him give it up. Fine if we say that he cant possibly be allowed to captain again next year, or fine if he captains if and when the season is over.

But not now, especially in light of his personal life.

So you're saying that the club should leave him as captain, even if it's not best for the team, because it will be good for Stuey?

[anne]

Maxfield is extremely selfish and is putting himself above the good of the team. He must step down. We are in enough trouble as it is without having a part-time captain. There are others who could captain the team. What sort of message is this move sending to the football world? We are a wonderful, caring team who does anything to help the players but we don't give a s--t if we actually WIN a game of football. Sydney is already a laughing stock of the AFL and now it will be worse. I think the Swans have lost the plot.

[Barry Schneider]

Originally posted by anne
Maxfield is extremely selfish and is putting himself above the good of the team. He must step down. We are in enough trouble as it is without having a part-time captain. There are others who could captain the team. What sort of message is this move sending to the football world? We are a wonderful, caring team who does anything to help the players but we don't give a s--t if we actually WIN a game of football. Sydney is already a laughing stock of the AFL and now it will be worse. I think the Swans have lost the plot.

From my reading of it Nathan Gibbs first mentioned it and everyone seemed happy about.I have no problems with the arrangement.My only concern is that he is not playing well enough to get a game imo.

Could you please tell me why we are the laughing stock of the AFL.We consistently make finals,the club has recorded a profit,crowds are good.On the downsidewe have lost 4 games and played poorly.How does that make us a laughing stock?

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by Barry Schneider
Could you please tell me why we are the laughing stock of the AFL.We consistently make finals,the club has recorded a profit,crowds are good.On the downsidewe have lost 4 games and played poorly.How does that make us a laughing stock?

We are constantly criticised as the most boring team to watch in the AFL.

We haven't won a flag in over 70 years (more than 20 years longer than anyone else) and hence the only side (besides Freo) not to win since the war.

We are one of only two interstate teams not to win a flag in the past decade+.

We make finals, we get hammered.

We are always coming up with excuses as to why we don't win more.

[anne]

We are a laughing stock because -
1. We play a boring, non-attacking style of football.
2. Our coach has been comprehensively outcoached in several games this year.
3. We do not drop players whose form is not up to scratch (especially if they are one of the favourites who can do no wrong)
4. We do not give new younger players a chance to prove they can play. Every other team plays first year players, why doesn't Sydney?
5. We keep injury prone players on the list year in year out and sometimes even redraft them!
6. Our drafting is atrocious - why do we keep picking midgets and athletic players who have little football smarts.
7.We keep a captain who does not contribute to the team and then support him captaining by remote.
8. We have a coach who continually tells his players they have no talent and who continually blames anyone but himself when we lose. Now he is saying that there is no problem with himself or his tactics and it is only a Melbourne criticism. Read RWO Paul Roos - plenty of unhappy fans actually seem to live in Sydney.
9. We haven't won a flag in over 70 years but still seem more concerned with mediocre performances IE just making finals rather than the big picture of actually doing whatever is necessary to win a flag.

[Sanecow]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
We are one of only two interstate teams not to win a flag in the past decade+.

We have won in the past decade+.