Over the past week we have witnessed Collingwood approach Jonathan Brown's "advisor" with an offer greater than the New Zealand GDP. This thread, that event and other speculation on Fevola also being approached by Collingwood got me thinking, not only about how crap the New Zealand economy is, but also about which "star" players at Carlton that are likely to be approached would come out and commit to the club in the way that Brown has? While I believe that most of it was media speculation on a slow news day, it is pretty obvious that Collingwood will this year be on the hunt for someone that has some talent and is not named Cloke or Shaw. When I look through the short list of our young "stars" and future leaders of the club, I honestly believe that only Waite and Thornton would do that. I am basing this purely on how they act on the field but each time I watch them, they give 100% of themselves. They have bad games and get towelled up, but they always give their all for the Blues.

Looking at Brisbane's situation it is apparent that they won't be vying for a premiership for a number of years as they rebuild. In that time, what they will have is a player that committed to the club when things weren't travelling so well, providing an example to those others that there is more to football than the money and even premiership success. My question therefore is who at the Blues would do that? Fevola? He has indicated that he is waiting to see what his market worth is, not committed to the club and will therefore be the source of much media speculation for the remainder of the season. Whitnall? Not sure. I would suggest not. Houlihan? Has ransomed the club already it would seem. Stevens? Consummate professional, and that confuses the issue for me. It seems to me that football is a business that he is very good at, but the passion for the club might not be there. Jury still out on that one.

In the past, our captains would not have entertained leaving. I know that it was different in the pre professional era, but it would be nice to think that one of our stars would be approached one day by a rival club, and they will publicly come out, commit to the Blues and perhaps set an example for others that the club is bigger than the individual.

To bring it into context with this thread (there was a point after all), I would like to see Stevens show that he is committed to the club and be awarded the captaincy. To publicly denounce any trade speculation I think would do wonders to the playing group. Thornton and Waite to both develop as co-vice captains. No deputy vices for me. What are people's thoughts?

Cheers
Mooky

I have had another thought about this and I think that Waitey might be too young for the next captain. He is not another Kernahan.

Still I would leave it with Kouta next year, but after Kouta retires then I think that it should go to Stevens. Once Stevens is finished then I would look at Waitey. I know that is a long way down the track.

Although I like Thornton's passion for the club I just don't think that he has that onfield presence that is needed for a captain... not yet anyway.