Port Adelaide legend John Cahill questions Power’s decision to appoint co-captains for 2019, says it will divided the club

Port Adelaide legend John Cahill says the decision to appoint co-captains for the first time has “divided’’ the club and would put more pressure on the team to perform.

Warren Tredrea (left) celebrates Port Adelaide’s 2004 AFL premiership win with coach Mark Williams.

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PORT Adelaide legend John Cahill says the decision to appoint co-captains for the first time has “divided’’ the club.

While Cahill said he, as “a loyal clubman’’, would support the controversial call to have Tom Jonas and Ollie Wines share the Power captaincy load this season, he said it is not a decision he would have made.

SANFL president Max Basheer watches captain Brian Cunningham and coach John Cahill hold the Thomas Seymour Hill trophy aloft after beating Glenelg in 1981.

“Would I have done it, no,’’ Port’s inaugural AFL coach and 10-times Magpies SANFL premiership mentor said.

“I’m a one captain person. I played under one captain (primarily Geof Motley) and coached with just one captain and wouldn’t want it any other way.

“One captain gives you one voice, one message, which is something I’ve always believed in.’’

Cahill suggested Port’s decision to end a 149-year club tradition of naming one captain had put greater pressure on the team to perform.

“It’s Ken (coach Ken Hinkley) and the (other) coaches who wanted this, they say it will be a real plus, an advantage to have two captains,’’ he said.

“By saying that we are going to be a better team then our supporters should expect a very successful season, shouldn’t we?’’

“We’re a one captain club, that’s our history, with the captain generally wearing the No. 1 guernsey, it’s a point of difference we have.

“In an era where club’s have leadership groups you don't need two captains. Clubs are there to make tough decisions and I don’t think this is a tough decision at all.

“It makes me question the club’s leadership development in the six years that Travis Boak was captain (2013-18), that there was not one standout candidate for the job.’’

Cahill, who captained the Magpies from 1967-73, said if it was good enough for the Power to appoint two captains then maybe it should look at two presidents and chief executives.

“Where’s it going to stop?,’’ he said.

“If it’s more advantageous to have two captains and you have double the knowledge, why don’t you have two chief executives, why don’t you have two presidents?’’

The Power’s only premiership captain Warren Tredrea also questioned the decision, describing it as “careful’’.

“It goes against club history, which is disappointing,’’ said Tredrea, who captained the club to flag glory in 2004 when Matthew Primus was injured and led in his own right from 2006-08.

While Cahill and Tredrea backed the one captain model, former Power skippers Matthew Primus (2001-05) and Dom Cassisi (2009-12) threw their support behind the appointment of joint captains.

“I think it’s great and can’t understand all the ridicule,’’ Cassisi said.

“I know how much effort the club has put into determining who the best people are to lead it, so I support the decision.

“Supporters get to see a guy captain a club for two hours on weekends and don't see the other 60 hours or so a week, inside the four walls of a club, that go into player leadership.

“There is greater pressure on individual leaders than there ever has been, with the commitment level, and pressure of social media et cetera.

“I'm all for tradition and respect it immensely but if Port thinks it’s better to have two men lead it rather than one then I’m fine with that.’’

Port Adelaide's new leadership group, from left, co-captains Tom Jonas and Ollie Wines with deputy Hamish Hartlett at Harts Mill, Port Adelaide. Picture MATT TURNER

Cassisi said rather than knock the decision, fans should celebrate the rise of Jonas from rookie-list draftee to captain and Wines’ decision to stay at Alberton and reject big-money offers from rival clubs to return home to Victoria at the end of last season.

Former Power coach Primus, now an assistant coach at Queensland club Southport, said he was once a traditionalist and fan of sole captains but had changed his tune since being involved in broader decision making at clubs.

“I’m really comfortable with co-captains now,’’ he said.

“I loved my time as sole captain at Port and wearing the No. 1 jumper but the game has evolved and I’ve had my eyes opened up to different leadership models.
“Sydney has been revered for its success in the past decade, in an era where it’s often had co-captains, so if Ken Hinkley and his assistants think it’s the right way for them to go and it can help them win more games, then I have no issue with it.’’