Collingwood’s Nick Maxwell deserves more respect for his footy brain, writes Mark Robinson
NICK Maxwell is a premiership captain. What makes it even more special is that he became one because of his mind and not because of his skill.
Mark Robinson
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THERE’S an unfortunate habit when it comes to talking about Nick Maxwell.
Some people prefer to talk about what he wasn’t instead of what he was and what he achieved, so let’s end of all arguments.
Nick Maxwell is a premiership captain.
Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?
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What makes it more even more special is that Maxwell became a premiership captain because of his mind and not because of his skill.
Maxwell thought his way to being a premiership captain.
Most players have weapons. We spoke about Scott Pendlebury’s balance and awareness yesterday. Dane Swan was an explosive runner, Travis Cloke has brawn, Luke Bull has heart, Darren Jolly had size and Dayne Beams has an appetite for the ball.
Maxwell was an average kick on his right and awkward on his left. He was an average mark, an average runner, and he could finger point for Australia if it was Commonwealth Games sport. But he had brain. He was an exceptional thinker and communicator.
It’s what drove him beyond the Geelong Falcons, where, he said yesterday, he was rejected four times.
It drove him on to the rookie list at Collingwood, then on to the senior list, then into the team, then into the captaincy, and then on to the dais.
Mind over matter was his mantra.
All premiership journeys are dotted with hardships and hurdles but can’t think of a tougher journey than Maxwell’s.
Asked yesterday about Maxwell’s best quality, coach Nathan Buckley said: “He cared.”
It’s what premiership sides are built on, care for the team.
Maxwell’s line coach through 2010-11 was Scott Watters.
He saw what others didn’t. The preparation and the organising. The selfless and the sacrifice. He saw Maxwell as the foundation which allowed his teammates to flourish.
“No individual was more responsible for delivering the 2010 premiership win that Maxy,” Watters said.
“He galvanised the group through uncompromising selfless leadership.
“I’ve never seen a captain care so much about his teammates and so little about individual acclaim.
“Outsiders may never fully understand or appreciate his impact.
“Some captains are great players, Maxy was a great leader. That’s not always as visible, but it’s infinitely more powerful.”
Depending on your state of mind, Maxwell’s career can be looked at with a glass half-full or half empty.
The half-empties don’t fully comprehend what football is about.
The half-fulls just nod the head, for Nick Maxwell is a premiership captain and there’s no finer title in all the game.
LEADING MAN
Collingwood 2010 premiership captain Nick Maxwell retires ...
Age: 31
Recruited from: Geelong Falcons (2003 rookie draft)
Debut: 2004
Games: 208
Goals: 29
Premiership: 2010
Captain: 2009-2013
All-Australian: 2009
Originally published as Collingwood’s Nick Maxwell deserves more respect for his footy brain, writes Mark Robinson
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