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Maguire making his mark at Wigan By Valkerie Baynes AAP Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:47:56

[quote]Wigan Warriors' Australian coach, Michael Maguire, has already put his stamp on the English Super League club, appointing a new leadership group for the coming season.

Maguire announced on Tuesday he would scrap the team captaincy in favour of a number of senior players sharing the role throughout 2010, a set-up mirroring that of his former side Melbourne five years ago.

"The players have reacted extremely well when working in a team, therefore it made sense to create a leadership team who can continue our togetherness," said the ex-Storm assistant coach who recently joined Wigan on a three-year contract.

Sean O'Loughlin has stepped down as skipper but will form part of the leadership team.

"He has impressed me with his receptiveness to the concept," Maguire said.

"Sean has shown a real growth in himself as a person and will be a significant member of our leadership team.

"However, the aim is to share the responsibility of leading the side. As a group, we all feel this is a more effective way of upholding the values and standards of the Wigan club without over stretching any one individual."

While the leadership team is already in place, Maguire declined to give further details, saying the group needed "time to bed down in operation" before being finalised.

Wigan's pre-season match against St Helens was cancelled in December because of icy conditions and they are scheduled to play a friendly with Wakefield on Sunday.

The leadership team will be unveiled ahead of Wigan's season opener against Crusaders on February 5.

A decision will be made on a match-by-match basis as to which of the leadership team will captain the side.

"Other teams in other sports have adopted this shared responsibility in the past and it has worked fantastically well," Maguire said.

"We aim to be at the forefront of such forward-thinking initiatives here at Wigan and, as a squad, we have embraced the idea wholeheartedly."

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy introduced a rotational leadership group following the retirement of Storm great Robbie Kearns at the end of 2005.

The move followed consultation with Sydney AFL premiership coach Paul Roos, who appointed three captains ahead of the 2006 season.

In August 2007, Bellamy elevated Cameron Smith to the role of captain, but he has retained a leadership group of senior players to support the skipper. [quote]

There was nothing wrong with Lockers captaincy just fans failure to understand that captaincy was more than ranting and raving or that every placer selected had to show responsibility.

Melbourne introduced it in very different circumstances. Their captain had retired. Thereafter they reverted to convention with a captain and a leadership group which IMO is totally correct. Can you imagine Ellery Hanley tolerating a captain rotation, He was happy to have players lead on the field of play accept responsibility but he was the captain. It did not stop Gregory and Edwards calling the plays. I also think Leadership group can tend to favour age whereas some players like Farrell were able to accerpt responsibility at a very early age.

So no for me personally Lockers is still our captain and he still is for ev erybody else because as yet we have not announced the other 4 captains.

Needless and confusing gimmick IMO.

cpwigan wrote:There was nothing wrong with Lockers captaincy just fans failure to understand that captaincy was more than ranting and raving or that every placer selected had to show responsibility.

Melbourne introduced it in very different circumstances. Their captain had retired. Thereafter they reverted to convention with a captain and a leadership group which IMO is totally correct. Can you imagine Ellery Hanley tolerating a captain rotation, He was happy to have players lead on the field of play accept responsibility but he was the captain. It did not stop Gregory and Edwards calling the plays. I also think Leadership group can tend to favour age whereas some players like Farrell were able to accerpt responsibility at a very early age.

So no for me personally Lockers is still our captain and he still is for ev erybody else because as yet we have not announced the other 4 captains.

Needless and confusing gimmick IMO.

I agree with you cp

Just a daft idea.... to many cooks comes to mind. Just pick a better captain and lets get on with it.

I agree to share the responablity will be something new! lETS HOPE IT WORKS as long as feilden is not one he is well past his sell by date but to listen to him he really thinks he is top how sad is that?? Shame he didnt go with his mentore still theres chance yet!!

Does he really Dragon? Stu never struck me as being up himself!

He was named as captain for at least one game last season (can't remember which game), and I thought he had one of his better performances that day.
The Daily Star, for what it's worth, named Coley as part of the group. Now, assuming there will be a forward in the group, I'd give it to Fielden every time over Coley