I didnt want to enter this bullshit argument becuase Im sick of seeing players slagged off by those who wish but cant do what he does but hey WTF.

Lance a few years ago was injured and out of shape and continued that way for a while. Sure the bloke probably does have issues with discipline when hit comes to what he eats and drinks but so do a lot of people.


Two preseasons ago he worked his but off to show up at preseason in good shape - remember the training with tyre etc. He had a reasonable year that year.

Last preseason he showed up a bit overweight but still with a reasonable base of fitness behind him and had a good preseason which led to a B&F.

This preseason he has show up in exemplary shape and raring to go.
He is 27 years old and potentially could play to 33 if he continues to do the right thing.

For those that dont know we hit our physical peak at 27-28 in life and Lance at this stage in life is in the best shape he has ever been.

Now for those who argue that this is exactly the reason we should have traded him - its all down hill from now, the bloody window of opportunity has gone, think for a minute about the window of opportunity our club is about to enter.

If Lance has a big season again this year and Yes its a BIG IF (but he really hasnt done much wrong the last few years so ill give him the benefit of doubt) think of the positives. We are a team desperately lacking in experienced footballers yet starting to brim with young talent. Walker, Simmo, Murphy, Gibbs, Bower and co can learn alot from a smart footballer. They are the modern footballers that he isnt but they can also learn how to set themselves up and read the play from a bloke who really is one step (and needs to be) ahead of the opposition.

Dont tell me he's a bad influence becuase of his diet or he leaves the training track early. For starters the club employ's dieticians who monitor what the kids eat (actually every player) and instruct them about nutrition. Now if we dont have a dietician thats not Lances @#$%&! fault.
Secondly if as many here claim Lances body cant withstand the rigours of all the training is it any wonder he leaves the track early? - It's called preventative maintenance and most clubs allow for it with their players. The coaching staff are responsible for when, where, how long and how intense we train so if their not complaining why is everyone here? - Again its their fault as it is their responsibility for when trainings seesions start and finish not a players. All the players are required to do is show up and train as hard as they can and from what Ive read the last few years Lances has fullfilled this requirement.

If our young players are influenced by Lances behaviour around the club then their sheep and god knows we have enough sheep for supports without needing any as players.

I believe that if you asked some of his team mates what they think about Lance as their captain they'll tell you he's not the right man for the job.

And what do you base your beliefs on? Popular opinion on an internet forum or have you had the courage to seek out our players and ask their opinion?

Tea leaves.

Somebody who knows some of the players and their opinions. If you read Lappin's recent comments on the captaincy it was quite clear he does not believe Lance should be captain & he's not the only one.

Blue world, you hit the nail on the head my friend.
If you asked all the players who they wanted as captain Fev would win.

Ok he [REDACTED] up but it wasnt so big to warrant 2 front pages in the Hun and other pricks like Mitchell and Kennett sticking their collective noses in.

It was a 30 second headlock. Should that warrant Fev being put out to pasture as far as a captaincy candidate. The stupid act doesnt warrant that response.

Imo Fev is the best man for the job. He is the man. The young guys love him. He goes out of his way to help the young kids.

Synbad is right on Lance .I reckon their is a place for Whitnall deep in attack but he isnt as good a choice as Fev as far as the captaincy is concerned and there is nobody else. Nobody.

Anyone with half a perceptive neuron can see that Fev responds to greater responsibility. The party atmosphere of the races and the Pub on the other side of the world was enough to make the Fev go off the rails.No Excuses but everone flowers up once and a while.

Give him the captaincy @#$%&! what everyone else thinks because with the added responsibility Fev will prosper even more.

I agree wit ya, give him the captaincy he will become and even better player and he will take the responsibilty really well. People listen to him, he draws people to him and he loves the club more than anyone. He talks up the club and talks how it is the greatest club in the land, his passion for the club is awesome. A far better candiate than lance in my opinion and so he made mistake, who gives a shit, it was nothing story.

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"I can't wait to win a premiership with this club" - Fev

Blue World I dont disagree with what you have said but what I said is have you spoken with them? Again its a mate of a mate who knows someone. Yes I read Lappins comments - Matty is one of my favourite players and I was really disappointed in his form this year. Do you remember he held us to ransom last year over his contract negotiations. Whos to say his form this year wasnt a direct result over his anger regarding those negotiations.

I think the way he conducted himself in repect to Fev was great but at the end of the day he still voiced disharmony in the club and allowed the media to take another swipe at us. Thats shit. We should be keeping our problems in house at all times and more in particular at these times when the dogs are barking.

I reckon you'll find that the team is far more behind each other than the media would let us believe. Look at the relationships in the club at the moment. The four blokes considered Captaincy material are Lappo and Fev(both mates) and Lance and Stevo(again both mates) - its not hard to see the media playing on that.

Id prefer to see the club take a risk and offer Co Captaincy to Lance and Murphy with the intention of telling Lance your here because we value your smarts and we want to apprentice Murphy to you with the intention of having him be sole leading after two seasons. Lets lead the way for once instead of copying other methods if we must.

To the rest of you you are all @#$%&! sheep. Address what I said - dont base your opinions on others with so called contacts and first hand knowledge and what they have all read and skirt around what I was saying.

Must be great to be part of the popular crowd without a real opinion of your owns. Our club is in disarray and you all agree yet all you can say is "yeah what he said" thats why we are in disarray, becuase Elliot had sheep who hung off his word and said yes to everything.

Say something constructive or say nothing at all.

Lance is the best leader in the club by a mile. You see that on-field the he directs things. Co-captains sucks. I believe captaincy is a position that is earned and respected and loses it's gloss when chucked around willy-nilly.

This thread has become very interesting, and thanks to Bondi for the words of encouragement, and also to pj canus for finding a link.

I, like a lot of others are getting sick of people backing there posts with, 'I heard from someone', or 'An inside source told me'. In reality we have have little idea of the players feel about Lance and whether he is respected. Lance has had a great past 2 seasons, and contrary to Synbad's revisionist history, regularly took the number one forward, and led the defence and marshalled the players. This type of on field leadership has put him in a good position to become captain.

We are starting to see some leadership qualities in the younger players, and as the side begins to peak, these players will come through and take the mantle.

Fevola is taken to the cleaners by just about every man women child and dog for putting a barman in a headlock


Lance is praised because he turns up to preseason at his match weight.

Give me a break.

As i said before get the players to vote on the captaincy. They couldnt give a rats what happened in Ireland and it will all be forgotten when the the first ball is bounced in anger in the first round 07.

Ahmen!!!

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Not so best of TheSexySquad


AWWWWWW STEVENS.

This raises an intersting question in regards to judging the criteria for being a captain. Is it popularity with the players? Respect of the players? Media savvy? On field leadership? Role Model?

The Cousins example is also an interesting one. Although Judd took on the capataincy, Cousins in many ways remained the spiritual leader despite repeated bad behaviour. I see Fev as more this role, rather than being the actual captain. Fev, I am sure is a great and popular guy, but I just don't think he ticks enough of the above boxes.

Co- Captins are a Joke. Who has the overriding say with ten minutes to go in a vital match. Flip a coin, take turns and wax it.

Strong leadership implies a leader otherwise it would be called co-leadership.

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Ich bein ein Carltonian

Lets just hope Fev can mend things with his wife
Because he plays much better footy when his personal shit is in order

Keogh the Fev situation is unfortunate and not all want to take him to the cleaners. I dont think he is captain material though. We all @#$%&! up but given his profile in the media he seems to have a habit of coming across of as a clown.

Ill stand by what I said - I'd prefer to Murphy as captain. That kid showed this year maturity beyond his years. He walked into the side and performed from day one right up to his injury. His age is the only question but so was Kerna's and look where that led us. I dont know about Gibbs but Im sure I will after one season - whos to say we dont go with Murphy as Capt and Gibbs as Vice along with Walker as Vice in 2008. I dont care if we get old noses out of joint with that becuase at the end of the day they need to tow the line the clubs lays out not their own agenda's.

PS Im not slighting 1AW here I just dont see that he wants the position for himself and I dont see that he see's himself in the mould of an on baller as Kouta reincarnate as some do. He reminds me of Motley - the type of bloke that can win a game from the HBF - Wing - CHF and just amaze all around with the feats he can perform.

We are entering probably the most exciting period this club has ever seen. These young blokes will go down in folklore as the guys that lead us from the darkest periods we had ever been and restored our pride and that of the clubs and the clubs administration will (I pray) have learnt from there mistakes and take us the next 135 years without another spoon again.

Josh you have my respect here more than most of the other posters I read and I hope it's not true.

Just prior to Ireland Fev was on the Gold Coast having a drink with a very very good mate of mine who described a blonde with him who very very much resembled his wife and all seemed good. Now I know for a fact Fev was there and my mate doesnt say crap for the sake of it. So if the lady in question was Alex - shit must of hit the fan very quick and just prior to him leaving.

The difference with Murphy and Sticks was that Sticks had played Senior footy for Glenelg prior to 1986. Murphy is only 19 and has played 13 games.You cant give him the captaincy now. 2years time maybe.

Sticks was about 23 24 when he took over from Sellers and had played about 5 years of Senior footy. The SANFL was a stronger comp at that time than its now.

And the extra responsibility that it would give Fev would bring the best out of him.


I admit he acts like a clown at times. at times I cringe when he opens the gob on the FS but he probably would tone it down a bit if given the role as Captain.

Which player would rub off better on the players.

Lance or Fev

Thats what it boils down to.

Not what I wanted to hear.....

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There is no footy god

Great post Mark No 3.

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There is no footy god