Captain Kirk - where does he stand?

[TheHood]

IMO, Kirk and Kelly are of equal importance to their respective eras.

The Champ was inspirational via his rugged attack on the ball and then the ability to deliver a vital pass or goal that lifts us out of our seats and arms punching the air.

Kirky's inspiration is just the desire to work and work and work until he can influence a contest his way and dish it off. He's a champ in the packs. Never ever gives up.

Kirky's 2007 has been his best season. He's personally dragged a very ordinary 2007 Swans higher than they deserve to be. He needs to be repaid by the boys.

[ROK Lobster]

I've never read the letter Skilton wrote after being delisted begging for a chance to live out his boyhood dream, so cannot really comment, except to say...

Skilton and Kelly both demonstrated great leadership when the club was weak. Kirk has had the opportunity to lead during one of the club's most successful periods. I think that the different circumstances make it difficult to judge somewhat.

Both Skilton (from what I have heard) and Kelly not only had the courage of Kirk, but also the skills to turn a game - Kels probably only just. Kirk only has his toughness and courage. I think that puts the other 2 slightly ahead.

That said, Kirk has been excellent this season (except a couple of gmes arlier on where he seemed a bit out of sorts) particularly the last few weeks. I think that it is clear that he is the "natural" captain, and the senior leader of the 3. Perhaps though, that shows the merits of the 3 captain system. I am glad Hall is not the captain at the moment. If you have 3 captains, and 1 or 2 of them have other things to deal with, at least it removes some of the pressure on them to get the captaincy thing right as well.

[floppinab]

Skilton and Kelly both demonstrated great leadership when the club was weak. Kirk has had the opportunity to lead during one of the club's most successful periods. I think that the different circumstances make it difficult to judge somewhat.

That said you would have to say that Kirk has been a pretty signficant reason that the club has had one of it's most successful periods. There is still a little question mark in my mind at a bit of what happens off the field, but nearly every time the team is down on the field it's Kirk that stands up the most, (certainly compared to a few other leadership group DUD's that shall remain nameless) moreso in my mind than Kelly did throughout his years IMO (and maybe thats because of what Kirk has done with the team off the field, more than Kelly probably was able to acheive).

As someone else has said the 2nd half of last years GF belongs to Brett Kirk.

[reigning premier]

Skilton - Extreme Skill, Big Heart, 3 Charlies says it all.
Kelly - Big Heart, good Skill, lead by example, 1 Charlie.
Kirk - Huge Heart, average Skill, leads by example and by word. Delisted, came back ten fold.

Perfect!

[doctor swan]

i remember kirk debut in 99 and i thought he had something, then for the next 3 years he basically just marked time and never really progressed with rocket. come 2002 and roosy took over , no disrespect to rocket as a judge of talent but kirky was gone at the end of the season had eade stayed. round 13 2002 a champion was born, and is now the heartbeat and soul of the club. they say the number 14 is special , i think the number 31 rates there as well. skilts was a legend but before my time, kells was a champ. i think in yers to come kirky will be revered as much as the other 2.
honour roll to date: premiership, all austr, int rules, b and f and another to follow and i think the captain would also be polling pretty highly in the brownlow this year, a smoky there.
to me a true champion and top bloke, nearly up there with skilts and certainly on a par or close to kel. another 2 years of his consistency who knows what we ll be saying.
the real and should be captain of the club

[Plugger46]

Didn't see Skilton play so I can't comment on him - but 3 brownlows says he was an absolute gun.

Kelly was a better footballer than Kirk is and I reckon Kel probably just has his measure in terms of leadership.

Kirky's a very good player/clubman. Kel was a champion of the competition - can we say the same about Kirk? Not quite I don't think.

[elroy67]

In reading some of the articles regarding Mickey's 261st, i cant imagine Kel screaming out "do it for Mago" prior to another assault on the footy. He certainly let his play do the talking.

Both Kel and Kirk are renowned for their hardness at the ball. Kel with clearly better skills and could do inspirational things, whereas perhaps Kirky inspires in other ways? I think of his 'you owe os one' to Davo in a certain game in 2005.

[Gary]

Skilton was a magic rover in a different era...no ruck rovers...2 big blokes with their "back up" ruckmen "resting" either forward pocket or back pocket...it was all so regimented. Bob had great skill & courage.

Kelly was a great winger / rover / ruck rover / centreman (does it matter any more) in the emerging modern era. Terrific mark for his size, great pace / strength / courage. Lower on kicking skills than Bob.

Kirk is a slow / can't kick ruck rover / midfielder of the modern game. Low on skills...but tremendous of heart. That is my summary order of three great captains.

All had great ability to win the ball, but a descending capacity to use it effectively.