Stevie Ward

I think Mags saying Ward will lead this team at the post match press conference is a telling hint.

Unless you're in the inner sanctum, it's difficult to know who is the right person - you'd need to see the dynamics, how each individual speaks, acts and the respect they're given by the other players. Both Danny and Rob appear to have suggested Ward is the man over the last 24 hours.



I do worry about Ward though - and I know this might not please the PC brigade, but he still seems very vulnerable, even troubled to me. The way McD spoke about the fact 'he had to play' when talking about his injury and mental wellbeing, even how Ward himself spoke about his feelings last weekend and that he went to a very dark place. I imagine if he hadn't been able to play, there'd have been a serious challenge to his mental health.



So, whilst I have an immense amount of respect for him as an individual and how he has been so open and honest about his mental health, how he's dealt with his set backs and his courage to not only make it on the field yesterday, but to put in the performance he did, I'm not sure he's the best man for the job. I'm 100% sure he's an absolute asset as a leader within the group, but I'm not sure it's right for him or the team - but I do say that with the caveat that I'm not in the inner sanctum, it's just my thoughts from what I see externally. The flip side is that both Danny and Rob appear to support him, and that is definitely worth more than my opinion.

Why not let the players decide?

Would certainly mean they bought in to the decision, but I'd suggest the coaching staff are the best places to make the decision - being that one step removed, and having oversight of each individuals influence on their team mates puts them in the best position to decide who's the right person. It shouldn't be a popularity contest, which if it was purely the players decision, it would be influenced by popularity.

From the outside I would worry that Ward has enough on his plate without being burdoned with the full on captaincy just yet. A bit left field but isn't Jones-Buchanan deserving of a shot ala McGuire? Questions were raised concerning Danny's petulant streak but in the end he managed to get through it without quite nutting anyone although came close to blotting his copy book after the Watts late challenge last week.

Is this not a bit of a red herring in sports these days. Ideally you want a number of players to have the characteristics as leaders. Who actually gets the armband should be less relevant. We have been successful because of what the core group bring.

Having only had Mags for 2 years after Sir Kev I think we need someone who could be captain for a few years, which would probably (?!!?!!) rule JJB out. I think Watkins would be a decent skipper - I think he's really come on as a leader in the team in the last two seasons and he barely misses a game (fingers crossed).

So, who's going to be our new captain for 2018?

Either Ward or Watkins I think. I don't believe either have returned to training just yet (definitely the latter hasn't) so will probably be announced when they do so they can do some media with the generic quotes "honoured to captain this great club" "proud to follow in the footsteps of Kev and Danny" etc. etc.

Possible Options:-



Watkins - seems favorite based on last season, however, he doesn't appear a captain to me.

Moon - unlikely.

Myler - unlikely.

Parcel - possible although would need to be confident he would stick around.

Cuthbertson - similar to Parcel.

Ablett - could be used as a 1-2 yr captain until someone else is ready.

Ward - my pick but possibly too injury prone?

JJB - similar to Ablett.

Singleton - a move in the hope of progressing his ability?

Possible Options:-



Watkins didn't appear to be a kicker either so you never know.

Parcel might stay longer with us as captain. I think he likes the limelight.

My choice would be Ward, as he's got Leeds Rhinos in his blood.