Leadership in football
Captaincy is a most important phase of football, though judging the displays of leadership in last season's finals, one would say but little understood by either players or committees.
In my playing days, the team appointed the captain, and I believe that the system is still in vogue in some clubs. Those who play under the man are as good judges at least as members of ordinary committees, which is in no wise a compliment. The best man for the position was invariably chosen in my day and generation, the vice-captain being selected on purely personal grounds as a general thing.
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There has never been worse captaincy shown than in the finals last season, the only leader who emerged from the ordeal with distinction being Harry Collier of Collingwood (left), who never made a mistake in his placings, though he had nothing to beat. Although he did not show to advantage last year, when the acid test was applied, there is no doubting Bentley's fitness for the job, and it will be interesting to see how he will shape in the finals this season if he is given the opportunity. He is still in charge of Richmond, a strong, virile commander; with South Melbourne under the same leadership, the only change being made by Carlton so far as the leading four are concerned.
The essentials
The essentials of a good leader are, first and foremost, that he should be a man of outstanding personality and a utility player of high degree, if possible. He should play the game in a manly fashion, thereby showing an example to those under his command. He should have no favourites, be a splendid judge of the game and men, and be quick in the uptake. Of course, he should play for his side all the time, and should understand the temperaments of the players, praise and encouragement being necessary in some cases, and severe censure in others. In other words, he should be a footballer and a man.
The chief reason why there are so few capable captains is that they are all young men. They are better judges when their playing days are over. It is not every one who possesses an old head on young shoulders, and perhaps it is just as well. But a man should know the game he plays, and while excuses may be made in some instances, it is often a case of ‘lions being led by asses.’
Old-time captains
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It was an axiom of the game at one time that the proper place for a captain was centre half-back, and while that truism cannot really be challenged, there have been a few excellent leaders who have played in other positions. There have been some great captains since Melbourne was formed in 1858, notably James Wilson of Geelong (left), though I cannot go back beyond the days of Sonny Elms in the '80's. The best leaders that have come under my notice were Sonny Elms (South Melbourne), Alec Dick and George Stuckey (Essendon), Tom Banks and Alec Sloan (Fitzroy), Jim Flynn (Carlton), Dan Minogue (Richmond), and Syd Coventry (Collingwood). The defenders of that brigade were Elms, Dick, Stuckey, Banks, and Sloan, though Elms officiated full-back, the others on the half-back line with Flynn at home in any position, and Coventry a follower and great defender.
In my time few full forwards could stand up to Elms, a big man and strong, at his best when his side was in a tight corner, and who was helped greatly by being allowed by law to push an opponent in the back. If my memory serves me rightly, it was this full-blooded action of the southern skipper that called for an alteration in the law. Nevertheless, Elms was a great leader and player under the laws of the period.
Alec Dick was not a great player, but undoubtedly a great leader. He was a splendid judge of the game, and had that famous Essendon team in the early nineties under complete control. He had a grand body of men to lead, and had grown up with them. Dick was cool, masterful, a strict disciplinarian, and had few (if any) superiors as a captain. He was followed by George Stuckey, a dashing defender, and also a good, reliable, steady captain.
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Banks and Sloan were Fitzroy products, Sloan being also a great oarsman. Tom Banks was really an ideal leader for besides being a champion half-back, a splendid high mark, with grand judgment and pace, his knowledge of the game was wonderful, while he possessed a personality that inspired those under him. There was no manlier exponent than the Maryborough man, and those who saw his glorious dashes from the half-back line will surely never forget them.
Sloan, who followed Banks in the leadership of Fitzroy, was also an inspiring leader, infusing those under him with his masterful spirit and determination. He was a fine, strong, rugged player, a real die-hard. He must wonder what has befallen Fitzroy to-day, as the Maroons' methods of playing the game runs counter to his Ideas.
Dan Minogue was a great follower, a dominant personality, and a fine leader of men. Whoever will forget his play and example on that ice field on the Melbourne ground in 1921, when Richmond, with Minogue in command, ploughed its way to victory over Carlton. There was a terrible thunderstorm at half-time, and the ice and water were inches deep on the ground in the second half. But, strange to relate, both sides played better in the ice than on firm ground.
Jim Flynn of Carlton, was the ideal captain, in my opinion. He had a peculiar career, being slow to nature as a player and leader and, as result, I should say, lasted longer as a player than most men, being aged 38 years when he led Carlton to victory in the final of 1908, being easily the best man on the ground.
He was first tried with Geelong—Henry Young being his personal friend—and failed to make the grade. Then he had a run with Collingwood, and, while he looked like becoming a champion at any time, he never settled down at Victoria Park. Carlton was finding its feet at the time, and Flynn joined the ranks. It was Carlton's salvation. He fitted into the team like a glove, and had the confidence of everybody, players, committee, and supporters alike. He did not prove a great captain straightaway. It was his playing career over again. Yet, when he did come into his own, he was unsurpassed. His judgment was remarkable, he could play anywhere, and he helped everybody. He was a natural centre half-back, a splendid centre man, with a 50-yard kick in either foot, was a good runner, a great follower, and a dangerous forward, as he could both mark and kick. He was an inspiration to the men under him, and had the knack of pulling the side together when required, with always an eye on the weakest parts of the machine, helping by advice and example. Flynn was the best captain that has come under my observation, a question of evolution, and he led Carlton to victory in 1906-7-8.
Syd Coventry, like Alec Dick of Essendon, had the marvellous distinction of leading his side to victory in four successive premierships. He was a great player as well, as leader a mighty force on the field, one of the two most famous players of modern times, the other being Ivor Warne-Smith of Melbourne. Coventry was a grand follower, with the heart of a lion, and when off the ball, had the knack of exploiting the territory between the half-back line and centre in a manner that has never been equalled. He was an outstanding personality on the field, knew the game thoroughly, and played it like a soldier. His team was handled splendidly, and he was, and still is, respected by friend and foe alike.
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Two other successful captains and great players were Ivor Warne-Smith and Dave Hickinbotham. While I cannot speak confidently of their powers of leadership, I certainly can of their prowess as footballers. Hickinbotham, like Dick and Coventry, led his side to victory in four successive seasons, and while he had a good team to handle, he must have had the qualities of leadership highly developed. There have been some great centremen in the game, players coming to mind being Joe Slater, Rod McGregor, Harry Cordner, Jock McHale, Bill Sewart, Lal McLennan, and Tammy Beauchamp not to mention those of the present day. Yet Hickinbotham was the-best man in the position that I have ever seen.
Warne-Smith (above) is one of the greatest players who ever graced a football field, one of the best all-rounders of all time, filling to the last ounce my idea of what a footballer should be, and he was a fine brainy leader. He turned many a game by his own individual effort, going into the thickest of the fray, fighting like a demon possessed, and led Melbourne to premiership against Collingwood in 1926. What made him a champion was that he could not be misplaced on the field, being equal to the best in any position, never gave in, and had all the essentials.
Footnotes
Title: Leadership is the great essential in football
Author: John Worrall
Publisher: The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic: 1864 - 1946)
Date: Saturday 13 June 1936
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