Solo mission would suit Captain Kirk - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Solo mission would suit Captain Kirk

By Greg Buckle 03/10/2006 09:01:50 PM Comments (0)

It's a busy time for the Swans this week as they squeeze post-season beers around club meetings about how suitable Peter Everitt is for a place on the Sydney AFL club's list.

Three-time All-Australian Everitt has had disciplinary problems in the past but the Swans have a fine record of turning wayward and/or undervalued players from other clubs into star performers.

Three-time All-Australian Barry Hall, Everitt's former St Kilda teammate, is a prime example of a player realising his potential after moving to Sydney.

Others from last week's losing grand final side include ex-Magpie Nick Davis, former Lion and All-Australian defender Craig Bolton and Essendon reject Ted Richards, who played the game of his life in the one-point loss to West Coast.

The performance of Davis with three vital goals was equally impressive, given the forward's bitter falling out with team leaders mid-season which led to him spending six weeks in the reserves re-educating himself to the ways of the "Bloods" culture.

No-one embodies that culture - of sacrificing individual glory for the greater good - more than co-captain Brett Kirk.

Coach Paul Roos has indicated this week that the playing group, led by co-captains Kirk, Hall and Leo Barry, will have the final say on whether the club pursues a deal for Hawthorn's Everitt.

Without undervaluing the influence of Barry and Hall, it's obvious from last week's grand final performance by Kirk - almost winning the Norm Smith Medal for best-afield then giving an emotional acceptance speech - that the midfielder is the spiritual leader of the club.

If he doesn't want Everitt, the 32-year-old ruckman won't be coming to Sydney.

While the club is evaluating its list, maybe it's time to consider whether the Swans really need three skippers.

Roos has admitted Kirk is the one who takes it upon himself to spark the troops with his verbal volleys during matches.

Full-back Barry is a quieter type, while Roos says centre half-forward Hall also plays second fiddle to Kirk when it comes to addressing the players during breaks in play.

Hall and Barry can still be club leaders without the title of captain, as can other prominent figures such as dual Brownlow Medallist Adam Goodes, who wiped away tears as he rested his head on Kirk's shoulder after the final siren.

If Sydney can make another grand final with this group of players, it would be only fitting for Kirk to be the man to lift the cup, body battered and bruised from another lion-hearted performance.

The Swans could argue that if the three-captains policy isn't broke, why fix it?

But all three are nudging 30. Relieving Hall and Barry of the captaincy would hurt their pride, but it may extend their careers, while Kirk appears best suited to letting it all rest on his bony shoulders.

Kirk is clearly the key nurturing figure at the club, so why not put him out in front on his own as he mentors a future captain, such as Goodes?

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