Newman right for captaincy, says Frawley
Adrian Lowe and Samantha Lane | November 14, 2008
RICHMOND vice-captain Chris Newman has won the backing of his former coach to lead the Tigers in 2009.
But Matthew Richardson, who never envisaged being an older captain, has been ruled out, despite his iconic status at the club and calls from one club legend for him to take the lead.
Former coach Danny Frawley said yesterday that Newman was his choice.
"He would fit the bill quite nicely," he said. "He's been in the leadership group for a couple of years, he's represented in the international series, he's well respected by his peers, he espouses all the correct criteria for a leader (and) leads by example. He's not only a quality footballer but a quality person."
Newman, fellow vice-captain Nathan Foley and this year's best-and-fairest winner, Brett Deledio, are believed to be the leading contenders to replace the outgoing Kane Johnson.
Coach Terry Wallace has ruled out the romantic notion of Richardson leading the club next year. "I know people would love to see him wear the jumper because he justly deserves all that recognition, but I think he gets all the recognition he deserves from our Tiger faithful anyway," Wallace told SEN Radio. "He's got hero status there and I don't think he needs any more than that."
Richardson said yesterday that while he was a willing candidate for the captaincy the year Johnson won it, now it was a job for a younger man. "It was an option last time it was done, and everyone knew that. But not now. I wouldn't want to take it on now and I think the club needs a young guy going forward," Richardson told The Age.
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