Mark Thompson was on Footy Confidential tonight, and mentioned that in his eyes the most important acquisition to the club this year has been putting someone (forget the name) in who's job it was to develop the leadership group of the Cats (I'm assuming Ling, Mooney, Corey, Scarlett, Harley, Ablett). This person has no other role at the club, other than working with this group to improve their leadership skills and nothing else.

Is this what we need? Someone who's job it will be to sit down with Murphy, Waite, Simpson, Carrazzo, Stevens, Thornton etc and focus on nothing but leadership abilities and teaching these guys how to set an example for those around them. Would this make much of a difference to our team, which we all acknowledge at the moment is bereft of leadership from its senior players? Would it necessarily have to be a football person, or could it be someone perhaps from the private sector who just specializes in teaching these skills to people in any walk of life? Would this be the job of one of these development coaches we'll be bringing in?

If we get someone in to build these boys into a real "leadership group", will it make a difference to the club?

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WADA medical director Dr Alan Vernec describes Essendon* FC drug case as biggest scandal in team sport the world of sport has seen. #WC2WB

#GUILTY

This is probably a role that could be undertaken by a specialist from beyond the football world, but one name came immediately to mind when reading this post (which is a very good one, in my opinion). A man who, amongst many other positive traits, I believe excels in this area, and mentoring and educating is just his thing: Rod Ashman. Would love to see him involved in some capacity, be it leadership mentoring, player development, or welfare.

..i watched footy classified too and my take on it, was that this person focused purely of bringing out leadership qualities in the senior group.. ..i would think it would be an additional position to development coach.. ..i think it's a great idea, and one which we'd really benefit from..

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..if you can't be good, be good at it..

We are THREE TO FIVE YEARS away from having an AFL competitive leadership group at the club.

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Well I have heard that Ashman has been approached in some capacity. But then again Elvis has been approached for Pagan's job too based on similar rumours, so take it with a grain of salt.

Jarusa, I think that's the point of this thread. We're so far off having a real group of leaders for other players to look up to, so would it be worth focusing on the future leaders and maybe speeding up the process?

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WADA medical director Dr Alan Vernec describes Essendon* FC drug case as biggest scandal in team sport the world of sport has seen. #WC2WB

#GUILTY

i also watched footy classified last night & thought the same as some on here, a great idea & it's time we did everthing possible to enhance our leaders & get us back on track, Rod Ashman would be a great pickup for this role, apparantly he has shown he can do this sort of thing in the business world so there is no reason why he can't do it at a footy club

I'm all for change & trying something different & what Bomber said last night sounds like we need to address this situation asap as well

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We will be back as a force - keep watchin this space !!

Isn't Ashman an employee by Visy?

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“It is a state of mind, a system of belief, a way of seeing the world, a deep faith that, because you are Carlton, you belong to something great.” - Mike Fitzpatrick articulating what Out of the Blue means.

Downunderchick. I think you are right and my understanding is hes paid by Visy but spends all his time at Carlton doing Carlton work.

Oh to be a bilionaire!

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Everything before the word "but" is horseshit - J Snow

I'm liking the sound of Ashman more and more. Seems a perfect fit.

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WADA medical director Dr Alan Vernec describes Essendon* FC drug case as biggest scandal in team sport the world of sport has seen. #WC2WB

#GUILTY

this is from the directors Q&A

23. Many supporters have identified on-field leadership as a glaring deficiency at the club. Will the club be employing any professional assistance from outside the club in developing this area? Are there any ongoing leadership programs in place for the team currently?

This is a matter for the Football Department and there has been assistance provided in this area from outside the Club and additional leadership programs will be included in the 2008 program

Wonder if that includes poaching captains from other clubs

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WADA medical director Dr Alan Vernec describes Essendon* FC drug case as biggest scandal in team sport the world of sport has seen. #WC2WB

#GUILTY

Thought this topic was worth revisiting with the departure of Kouta and the imminent booting of Lance.

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WADA medical director Dr Alan Vernec describes Essendon* FC drug case as biggest scandal in team sport the world of sport has seen. #WC2WB

#GUILTY

But don't we need a leadership group first? (A) definite leader/s ... should we concentrate on having one leader, or two, and not a group?

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[Sam Jacobs] looks like a 7' Lance Whitnall, and [Mitch Robinson] looks like a 4' Lance Whitnall
(The SEN team during the Carlton v Cats 2009 pre-season match)