We have turned over so many in such a short time that the place needs real leadership. Not a puppet and not someone who is mates with all the boys all the time.
What we need is a player who can be "Captain Grumpy" when needed.
Someone who leads by example.
Someone with the courage to call out his team mates (not on the paddock) and ruffle some feathers for non performance.
Someone with the integrity and standards to be able stand up to Sheens and management on behalf of the team if required.
Someone who puts the team, and his mates, first; not when something bad happens but every day, on and off the paddock and in all aspects of his being.
Someone who who is prepared to study and understand leadership.
Someone to develop this club into a powerhouse of rugby league.
That, my friends, is not AD. He clearly puts himself before the team, as evidenced by his "I'll tear my party dress if I don't play 5/8 episode", and he doesn't lead by example (unless he feels like it at the time), as evidenced by his defence, picking up his mouthguard instead of attacking the opposition and the fact that he fades in and out of games. He may be a good bloke and well liked by his team mates and is a fan favourite. That doesn't make him a leader.
Joffa has demonstrated leadership in times of adversity and may have the "stuff" required to build around. Does Sheens think he is a permanent fixture?
Api, has demonstrated to me in a couple of incidents (NSW indiscretion and the WT joke after the GF) that he doesn't cut it.
Klemmer may have the hardness and drive to pull it off in the short term. What got him out of favour with Newcastle may be what we need right here, right now.
So for mine (and very much an outside view) Joffa and Klem are the front runners; but not the ones to drive us to become a powerhouse I want us to become. I see them both as interim leaders. The captain after next is the one that should drive us to greatness. A Club Captain that should come from within our system. Someone selected now based on skill, personality and drive and developed to become a charismatic, performance based and outputs driven, leader of Wests Tigers as a club.
We have just come from a leadership model based on consensus with the coach. What we need is an Alan Border, and the leader after next someone more like Punter!
I know - opinions are like bum holes. Living in a rural area I am not tight with the club or the playing group so maybe AD will be our saviour; I have serious doubts though.
Cheers n Beers
Jolls