If the club was strong about it, Cotch would have taken the number 17.
Agree with you here.
On this number 17 thing. It was the board that was weak, extremely weak as much as you can argue Cotchin was selfish. They introduced the captain to wear number 17, their reasoning for it was for the absolute right reasons.
They did not enforce their own rule. They allowed a player to dictate to them . Player said i dont want to, they said ok you dont have to. Poor leadership. If Cotchin wanted the captaincy then he had take on everything that went with it. Not take on the bits he wanted to. But the board at the time led by Gary March allowed it and the rest is history
Everyone on here knows my views on the cqptain wearing number 17 and my support of it. Accept that I've always been in the minority but based on the reasons why it was introduced i believe it was good call.
So just a couple of other points
The captain wearing number 17 was introduced after the outrage caused by giving Paul Hudson number 17 in 2002. Club received alot of complaints more than they ever did when the introduced the captain wearing it thing. Decision was made to have the captain wear it. It was embraced at the time by all coaches and players.
Cotchin did indeed use as one of his reasons for not wanting to waer number 17 the fact he liked seeing kids with number 9 on other backs and didnt want to have to get new jumpers
On jumper numbers Dimma is a hypocrite. In one breath he says 1st year players have to earn the right to get a lower number but in the next breath says when it comes to the captains number, numbers aren't important. Which is it exactly. Flip flops depending on what? the player or circumstance
Finally, the other reason i used Bob Murphy as example of great leadership is because when it comes to talking about his club you don't get any on this "inside our 4 walls" crap like you do from our captain & coach. Don't get it from Beveridge eitber. When they talk club they talk about family, inclusive of everyone
Our club could learn a thing or two IMESHO
