JAMES McDonald has an open mind in terms of who should be Melbourne’s next captain.
The Melbourne skipper is set to finish up with the club after round 22, but has not anointed a new club leader for 2011 and beyond.
McDonald became co-captain with Cameron Bruce during 2008, when David Neitz retired mid-season, before ‘Junior’ become sole skipper in 2009.
Although externally he seemed a surprising choice at the time, McDonald quickly became a much-admired captain at the club - and among the competition.
“When David Neitz retired, probably a lot of people didn’t think that I’d be the next captain, so you just don’t know - someone will bob up now and that’s probably the good thing with me leaving,” he said when announcing his departure at the MCG on Thursday.
“It creates opportunities for someone to step up, so whoever it is, I’m really confident they’re capable of doing the job.”
Meanwhile, Melbourne president Jim Stynes hopes McDonald might be able to remain with the club in some capacity.
“We’ll talk about it from here, but we hope James stays with our club for many, many years and he’ll have a very important role to play in the future of our football and where we’re going and our success,” Stynes said.
Stynes said it was unfortunate some people, like McDonald, could not be part of where the club wants to get to long-term.
“Unfortunately, it doesn’t always fit into everyone’s personal journey, the way they might like to, but I think the great thing about our club and all of the people within … it’s about putting the team in front of yourself,” Stynes said.
“It’s very difficult to get everyone to think that way, particularly players who come from very successful backgrounds generally.
“It’s easy to be selfish and to become just about them, but I think we’ve got a great base and foundation … and that’s how we’re going to become successful as a football club. James is at the pinnacle of that and he’s demonstrated that for a long, long time.”
The Melbourne skipper is set to finish up with the club after round 22, but has not anointed a new club leader for 2011 and beyond.
McDonald became co-captain with Cameron Bruce during 2008, when David Neitz retired mid-season, before ‘Junior’ become sole skipper in 2009.
Although externally he seemed a surprising choice at the time, McDonald quickly became a much-admired captain at the club - and among the competition.
“When David Neitz retired, probably a lot of people didn’t think that I’d be the next captain, so you just don’t know - someone will bob up now and that’s probably the good thing with me leaving,” he said when announcing his departure at the MCG on Thursday.
“It creates opportunities for someone to step up, so whoever it is, I’m really confident they’re capable of doing the job.”
Meanwhile, Melbourne president Jim Stynes hopes McDonald might be able to remain with the club in some capacity.
“We’ll talk about it from here, but we hope James stays with our club for many, many years and he’ll have a very important role to play in the future of our football and where we’re going and our success,” Stynes said.
Stynes said it was unfortunate some people, like McDonald, could not be part of where the club wants to get to long-term.
“Unfortunately, it doesn’t always fit into everyone’s personal journey, the way they might like to, but I think the great thing about our club and all of the people within … it’s about putting the team in front of yourself,” Stynes said.
“It’s very difficult to get everyone to think that way, particularly players who come from very successful backgrounds generally.
“It’s easy to be selfish and to become just about them, but I think we’ve got a great base and foundation … and that’s how we’re going to become successful as a football club. James is at the pinnacle of that and he’s demonstrated that for a long, long time.”
