Nick Riewoldt, Luke Hodge among best leaders, so why the campaign for change, says Shane Crawford?

NICK Riewoldt and Luke Hodge are among the best leaders of the modern era, so why the campaigns to replace them? I just don’t understand, says Shane Crawford.

Luke Hodge in action against Port Adelaide.

NICK Riewoldt and Luke Hodge are among the best leaders of the modern era, so why is it that there have been campaigns to replace them as captains of their clubs for 2017?

I just don’t understand that.

I am not a fan of captaincy handovers for the sake of them. If a player is the best option as captain for his club, no matter his age, he should be retain the role.

GET SHANE CRAWFORD’S TAKE ON YOUR CLUB’S FUTURE LEADERS BELOW

Just because a veteran is captain doesn’t hinder those aspiring to the role to learn from them, so long as they are keen to keep going on.

Those future captains need to earn their bloody stripes, as the old saying goes, and not have it handed to them on a platter.

Let’s start with Riewoldt, who is only 14 games as leader away from equalling the AFL captaincy record set by Carlton great Stephen Kernahan.

Jack Steven, Jarryn Geary, Nick Riewoldt and Leigh Montagna. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

‘Rooey’ won’t get the record this year, and if you listen to a few of his teammates, his coach Alan Richardson, and even the man himself, he might not get the chance to do it next year as a captaincy handover looms.

Leigh Montagna flagged it last week, and Riewoldt himself said this week: “I think it is probably time. I have maintained that really the last few years. Whatever is in the club’s best interests I’ll be happy to do.”

He added: “I think it is time and I certainly hope between now and the end of the year someone puts their hand up and takes the job next year.”

He’s not saying he doesn’t want to do it. I’m sure he will do what is best for the club, and in my view, that is staying on as skipper.

The fact is that no one has seriously put up their hands yet to replace him, and that’s why Riewoldt should remain as skipper next year, and break Kernahan’s record.

I don’t say that he should do that from a selfish point of view, but simply because he is the best option to remain in charge as the Saints seek to improve further next year.

Jack Steven and David Armitage are the most likely candidates, while Jarryn Geary is also a contender. But will any of them have their leadership development slowed if Riewoldt remains in the role for one more year?

No chance. They would actually benefit from having another year under Riewoldt, and by the end of 2017, one of them might stand out as the man best placed for the role.

Luke Hodge gets past Chad Wingard at Adelaide Oval.

Hawthorn’s situation is a little different, but I don’t think the outcome should be.

For a start, Jordan Lewis is ready to captain the Hawks, no doubt about it.

But is he going to be a better skipper next year than Hodgey? Given Hodge is a three-time premiership skipper, and one of the best leaders of all-time, I’d say that’s unlikely, even though Lewy would do a great job.

Hodgey still needs to win a new contract for 2017. But he showed on Thursday night how valuable he still is to Hawthorn as a player, and as a leader. I’d be stunned if he doesn’t play on, and doesn’t stay as skipper.

Lewis is at least primed for the role. Others being touted as leaders at other clubs still have plenty of development in them.

I just cannot understand the modern belief that we need to rush prospective young leaders into the role before their time. They need to do their time within clubs, and shouldn’t be handed the role for the sake of it.

Queen Elizabeth II turned 90 this year, but the last time I checked she isn’t going to abdicate, as she is still the best person for the role.

My view of the captaincy is that you get better as the years roll on, even though your form might necessarily not.

Patrick Cripps gets tackled by Ben Sinclair.

Leadership needs to be earned, not handed over for the sake of having someone younger doing the role.

Fortunately, we now have leadership groups these days, so younger players aspiring to the role can keep developing and learning, while the club has the benefits of the best captain still in the job, not pensioned off.

That’s why the Blues should stick with Marc Murphy for the next few years before considering giving the job - and all of its pressures - to the man most likely, Patrick Cripps.

Cripps will soon captain Carlton, but why rush it. Let him learn his trade, let Murphy continue on in the role for a few more years ,and I’m sure that will eventually lead to a long, successful captaincy period under Cripps.

Make future leaders hungry to lead and make them realise that only a selected few get the responsibility to lead a club. That will make them covet the role even more, and want to hold onto it, when they eventually win it.

So, in my view, making young players captain before their time, can actually hinder football clubs, not foster them.

Let the best skipper do the job, regardless of age, and by playing under the likes of Riewoldt and Hodge, the next wave of leaders will have the chance of becoming elite leaders in their own right when the time comes.

Rory Sloane and Taylor Walker celebrate an Adelaide goal.

CRAWF’S TAKE ON YOUR CLUB’S NEXT SKIPPER

ADELAIDE

Tex Walker looks entrenched for the next few years, but the Crows have a worthy candidate waiting in the wing - Rory Sloane. Inspirational, a leader by example as much as words, and hard at it, Sloane has stepped away from Patrick Dangerfield’s shadow.

BRISBANE LIONS

Can’t see too many players taking it from Tom Rockliff’s grasp any time soon, which is why the Lions are in a bit of trouble. Hopefully Dayne Beams can overcome his injury issues and be a contender, while Dayne Zorko and Pearce Hanley are options.

CARLTON

Patrick Cripps stands out like a beacon, but it would be a mistake to switch from Marc Murphy next season. Cripps has time on his side, and Murphy has got better with each year. The Blues have their next generation of leader in Cripps, but the worst thing they could do is to rush him.

COLLINGWOOD

Speak to Magpie insiders and they will tell you Steele Sidebottom’s leadership development has come on in leaps and bounds in recent seasons. He won’t replace Scott Pendlebury any time soon, but looms as a good next option alongside Taylor Adams.

ESSENDON

This is one club ready for a leadership change, and it will come with Dyson Heppell, when he resumes from suspension next year. Jobe Watson doesn’t really want it, Brendon Goddard has served well in the role for a year, but Heppell is ready to make his stamp on the club.

FREMANTLE

Tough first year as skipper for David Mundy, but he deserves a second season at the helm. He is 31 and might get a few more years in the role, but it won’t be long until Nat Fyfe is ready to assume the role.

Nat Fyfe takes a mark over Easton Wood. Picture: George Salpigtidis

GEELONG

It’s no surprise the Cats see Joel Selwood as their long-term leader. But it wouldn’t surprise me to see Patrick Dangerfield elevated to the role - with Selwood’s blessing - in three or four seasons.

GOLD COAST

Gary Ablett is still the best leader the Gold Coast has,so he needs to go around again next year. Tom Lynch is growing as a leader and seems the best long-term replacement. A few others, including Jaeger O’Meara - who still hasn’t committed yet to the club - look possible leaders.

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY

Where do you start? This club oozes leaders. And the men in charge - Callan Ward and Phil Davis - inherited the roles at an early age. They need to keep leading as the team builds towards premiership success. But the one player who might emerge beyond them could be Jeremy Cameron. Love the way he approaches his footy.

HAWTHORN

Luke Hodge deserves to lead Hawthorn in 2017. If you were in any doubt, just go back to the tape of the Hawthorn-Port Adelaide game on Thursday. That might hinder Jordan Lewis’ chances of leading the club on a full-time basis. But Hodge is still the best club leader. This might surprise some, but I wouldn’t discount Cyril Rioli one day captaining the Hawks.

MELBOURNE

Pencil Jack Viney in as Melbourne’s next captain. Nathan Jones has done an outstanding job through some difficult times, and will likely go around again in 2017. But by 2018, Viney might be ready to go.

NORTH MELBOURNE

The Kangaroos have been patient with Jack Ziebell ready to take over from Andrew Swallow at the end of the season. Swallow has been a good leader, and Ziebell’s understudy role as vice-captain will be enough to ensure there is a smooth handover.

Jack Ziebell tries to evade a tackle by Rory Sloane.

PORT ADELAIDE

It hasn’t been the easiest year for skipper Travis Boak, but you would still expect him to retain the role for next year. Robbie Gray, however, does deserve a chance to take on the role in the coming years.

RICHMOND

No captain has faced as much criticism this season as Trent Cotchin, and that’s a joke. He remains the most qualified person - and the only real candidate - to lead the Tigers next year. Dustin Martin is a very good player, but he isn’t ready to lead his club yet.

ST KILDA

Lots of talk that this will be Nick Riewoldt’s last season as captain, but it doesn’t need to be. If he is the best candidate, he should continue on. The other main alternative candidates are David Armitage, Jack Steven and Jarryn Geary.

SYDNEY

Luke Parker appears as the man most likely to be the long-term leader of the Swans. He’s an inspirational player who will probably be elevated to the role. but not before about 2018.

WEST COAST

I’d love to see Josh Kennedy take on the role when Shannon Hurn has had enough at the Eagles. He leads the forward line already and has been growing in confidence in recent seasons.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Bob Murphy is back next year, and should retain the captaincy. But there is no doubt Marcus Bontempelli is the player who will assume that role in the future. We’ve already seen he can handle the pressure when filing in.

Originally published as Nick Riewoldt, Luke Hodge among best leaders, so why the campaign for change, says Shane Crawford?