Newman, Foley in line to fill some big boots
Lyall Johnson | August 24, 2008
WHEN Kane Johnson came to Richmond from Adelaide in 2003 as a dual premiership player, his new coaches and teammates were awed by his dedication to training and fitness.
He was, it was said around the club, at another level and clearly that intensity contributed to him getting the nod to take over the captain's reins from Wayne Campbell in 2005 in Campbell's last season.
"Media speculation", as coach Terry Wallace described it yesterday, last week had Johnson contemplating a similar succession, passing the baton to a player who would be at the club longer than he and playing out his final seasons without the encumbrance of the skipper's role.
It is a role that has sat well with Johnson on the field. His natural leadership skills and ability not just to communicate to others his thoughts but lead by example make him much admired around Punt Road.
The counterpoint, however, was that the off-field duties as the face of the club have often been a chore for an unassuming bloke who does not crave the spotlight.
There will be, it's certain, some things, such as dealing with the media, he will not miss when he does decide to take a back seat.
Who would succeed him will be an interesting matter for the Tigers.
Of the two vice-captains, Chris Newman probably has the edge over Nathan Foley in that at 26, he is older and more experienced than the 22-year-old Foley, notwithstanding the latter's selection to play for Victoria this year in the Hall of Fame clash.
Newman is a well-spoken, intelligent and respected member of the side. The question is whether the club would prefer his steady, unflashy image to an excitement machine like Foley, whose bursts through midfield obviously inspire his teammates to take on their opponents.
Both had solid games yesterday, although neither was spectacular. In Foley's defence, he was still carrying a hip injury that forced him to miss the win over Hawthorn.
Newman smiled after the match yesterday when it was pointed out his name was being thrown around for the captain's role should Johnson decide to relinquish it next season. And he was quick to point out that Johnson hadn't gone yet, that with his 20-possession game yesterday, there was plenty of life left in him and such talk was a "bit premature".
"It would be an honour but I really can't talk too much about it. I don't know what the plans are or how the club wants to go about it but certainly if the opportunity came up, I'd put my hand up," he said. "I've learnt a hell of a lot over the years from Kane and it would be a real privilege. But hopefully, he can go around another couple of years.
"He's an experienced player and had a lot of seasons in his legs. But he's perfectly capable of going on. Fingers crossed he does. It's obviously a huge responsibility. He's handled it really well and always setting the right examples and the right tone, which is really important for the younger group."
With its lack of success in recent years, Richmond has found itself in the fortunate position of being in possession of some of the best young talent in the AFL.
When he was first drafted, Brett Deledio was being touted as a future leader of the club, although over the past four years, his progress has been unfairly measured against the superstar status of Lance Franklin.
However, he is maturing as a person and a player, and this season has been his best by far. Yesterday, as he has been for much of the season, Deledio was instrumental in the Tigers' seven-point win. His pass to Matthew Richardson in the last quarter that set up a goal was brilliant.
He is well-liked by teammates and coaches but going against him might be his shy nature.
But further ahead is the likelihood that Trent Cotchin will one day captain the Tigers.
Already a big contributor to Richmond this season, Cotchin played another fine game, even if he required a rocket from coach Terry Wallace at the three-quarter-time break to spur him on.
It worked, with his weave through traffic midway through the quarter instrumental in getting the ball forward for Jay Schulz to snap truly and put the Tigers out to a winning 19-point margin.
At only 18, captaincy is still some way off for Cotchin, but it is on the cards.And would he like it? You bet.
"It's a nice thing that people are saying good things about me, I've always dreamed of being a captain of an AFL club," he said. "But I can't think about that sort of thing. What's important now is that I've just got to take it one step at a time."
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