What constitutes good leadership?
In the world of the NRL, it’s historically been a metric commonly associated with the team captain. “Strong” captains were celebrated as being important components of successful teams. Leaders like Arthur Beetson, Steve Mortimer and Wally Lewis have become rugby league folklore as much for their leadership as their talent.
However, over the last ten years, titles such as “team captains” or “leadership group” have become the term du jour.
Why the shift?
Traditionally, footballing skill was a key attribute when it came to selecting the captain. One of the best players would be given the honour of reinforcing the coach’s message on the field and the reasoning would be simple – they’d often have the admiration of their team mates and, given their form, they’d be less likely to be dropped.
Today, there is an increasing value placed on empowering the players. By taking on more responsibility, the expectation is that the footballers will maximise their performance and drive team culture.
Michael Maguire and Nathan Cleary are two coaches who have gone down the path of naming multiple (read 5 or 6) team captains.
In 2019, Cleary explained his decision:
“We are confident it will see every Panthers player contribute in their own way and help create real ownership of this team in 2019.”
The key word there is obviously ownership.
Whether they’re called team captains or a leadership group, every team has them.
And this is where one of the most important evolutions of the Parramatta team appears to be taking shape.
Since 2013, the pater familias of the Parramatta team has been Tim Mannah. And what he brought to the squad was important.
A proud moment for Tim from the Johnny Mannah Cup.
The league world knew him as a fine ambassador for his club and the code. A tireless community and charity worker, he brought the same ethic to his training and preparation. He made it his responsibility to welcome and get to know new members of the full time squad, and he was one of the first to run alongside those who were struggling with the demands of pre-season training. As a role model, there were few better qualified.
But far too often, Tim seemed to be the lone voice. A leadership group might have been in place, but to my eyes few seemed ready to fulfil the role expected. David Gower would fit the bill, but he could never be guaranteed of consistent top grade selection.
You need leaders in your spine, as they handle the ball more than others. You need them in your forwards as they carry the heaviest workload.
You need people capable of selfless ambition – they set a priority of team success ahead of personal success. Impressively, when this is done well, a great captain’s personal form thrives in such a team environment.
Gutho at training,
Over the last two years, Parramatta’s leadership has been in a state of transition. Arthur has been looking for a core group of players to take on the role. Gutherson was appointed co-captain and more was expected of the senior players. In 2018, this did not play out well.
I have a theory about this, and how it changed in 2019.
Good leaders require emotional intelligence (EQ). Over the last quarter century there have been numerous studies about the role or relative importance of emotional intelligence in leadership. It’s most often been applied to business/organisation contexts, but it also has relevance to professional sports teams.
Put simply, a person with high EQ has an understanding of themselves – including their own strengths and weaknesses, they have good self-regulation of their emotions, they possess empathy and social skills and are motivated and capable of understanding what motivates others.
I’ll also throw in another criteria – consistency. An effective leader, with a high EQ, will also be consistent in their own standards. And consistency creates credibility – an essential quality when leading others in challenging times.
Let’s consider the Eels of 2018. Apart from Mannah, there were no leaders to be found in the forwards. Team selections were impacted by injury and poor form, meaning there was nobody stepping up at a time when leadership was needed the most.
In the spine, what was present was literally the antithesis of emotional intelligence. Mitch Moses has openly discussed his flaws during that tumultuous year, looking to blame others instead of understanding his individual accountability. The weekly frustrations were written on the faces of Gutherson and Norman.
An environment which had “leaders” looking frustrated and confused was never going to produce success.
Ultimately, the horrors of the season would turn out to be the catalyst for change.
It would come from up-skilling the current squad and adding leadership via recruitment.
The blunt reviews with BA would be a starting point. They were soon followed by the well-documented honesty sessions for the entire group. Kurt Wrigley, a facilitator with Leading Teams, was added as a leadership resource.
I haven’t been privy to the focus areas of any leadership sessions, but there certainly seems to be development in the emotional intelligence of key players.
The impact on Mitch Moses has been astonishing.
Mitch Moses at Eels training
Though he’s only beginning to scratch the surface of what being a leader means, Moses’ growth in game management was exponential. His stellar season saw him top the premiership for try assists, claim Aussie 9s and Prime Ministers XIII representation, as well as being named Dally M half of the year and the Ken Thornett medallist.
Clint Gutherson has also grown as a captain. He has always set the standard in team preparations whilst walking that fine line between team joker and leader. Under his leadership, captain’s runs are now just that – Arthur looks on as Gutherson leads the squad through its final run of the week. He looks to inspire others through both actions and words.
On that note, Nathan Brown has become a stronger voice. It’s not unusual to see the Eels enforcer offer advice to the younger forwards or address the playing group at training.
And the new recruits had an immediate impact.
From his first session, Ferguson was a powerful voice. He took young backs under his wing, offering advice about positioning and reading the play.
Junior Paulo became an important senior player for the young Pasifika boys in the squad, but he didn’t limit his influence to them. Throughout the pre-season, he made Ethan Parry’s development a personal mission, ensuring that every hit up made by the young back was full of purpose.
And, as the season has unfolded, Shaun Lane was praised for his leadership qualities. His role in the development of Dylan Brown and the Eels left side attack received the recognition it deserved.
While we’re talking left side, Michael Jennings became an important mentor for Maika Sivo. The rookie Fijian speaks glowingly Jenko’s communication during matches and the confidence it gives him. It’s probably something which has not received enough acknowledgement this year.
Are there any future leaders in the young players?
There are, and importantly they are all found in the spine.
Few would argue that Reed Mahoney possesses the qualities to be a successful leader. He’s intelligent, articulate, dedicated, community minded and composed under pressure.
Interestingly, the player following behind Reed in the dummy half role, Kyle Schneider, is also a leader. Though he’s yet to experience senior footy, the talented young rake has been captain in both Eels and representative age teams.
Dylan Brown
The other player I’d nominate as a leader of the future, Dylan Brown, seems unflappable during the heat of battle. His confidence and composure this year belied his youth and inexperience. To my eyes, his EQ looks to be very high. He’s also someone who understands the importance of his team mates, and can often be found helping out or watching the lower grades on his days off.
Moving into 2020, what was once a justified area of concern for Brad Arthur could potentially become a strength for the Eels.
Players such as Gutherson, Moses, Nathan Brown, Paulo and Lane are becoming mature leaders, in what should be the most productive times of their careers. Ferguson and Jennings have the experience and wisdom to mentor their younger charges. Mahoney and Brown could be nurtured as future captains.
Though only twelve months have passed, it seems a far cry from 2018.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Excellent post sixties. I have always believed in the need for good captains and having the right players in that role. In the past we have had players appointed to the captains role that were not really for them, I remember when Ian Walsh came to the club as coach and put the Captains tag onto Bob O’Relly,. The Bear was still young at the time and learning one could see he was not ready for it, and there is a classic photo of him coming off the field with a shattered look on his face with Walsh having his arm up on Bears shoulders.
I cannot remember whether he relinquished the role totally but he did to allow him to play his natural game. Others such as Higgs, Price over the years led by examples as did Pay, But today with the whole of the game and structures changing, so to is the role and definition of leaders and leadership. While we see one person with the C against his name there is little doubt that there are other quality players that are leaders in their own rights and they don’t need that C to identify them, as you rightfully point out.
I see our future well managed as a result.
Colin, even Gutho was thrust into the role at a quite a young age. Even though it’s been a much better year for the Eels, he had to remain composed early in the season when his contract negotiations were played out in the media and some fans turned on him. I thought he did well to maintain his form and lead the team during this period.
Could not agree more 60’s the likes of Moses, Gutho and then Brown and Mahoney have the potential to lead us for a while.
I personally liked the added experiences of Ferguson and Lane; two players with different personalities but both who have added experience.
Nathan Brown for me is the one who leads the pack and could be added to lead the team when needed.
I also say thank you to Tim Mannah; he came into the team at a young age and it seems in a blink of an eye his career has ended. It does go so fast. He was a warrior and led us with passion and professionalism and that 09 GF still hurts against those cheats.
I seem to recall watching him play a Harold Matt’s final at St Mary’s many yrs ago with Hayne, Hodkinson (i think) against Penrith (Jennings and Tim Grant ) from memory. Parra won in a tight one.
Milo, as one gets older so seems the speed of time.
You mention Tim, and for me sadly he did not get the real send off he deserved, would have loved to have seen him play one game at seasons end in the NRL squad even off the bench, would have been awesome really. Thing is though I believe Tim handled himself exceptionally well following his ticket to Siberia as it would seem, the loss to Newtown was a sad farewell for him also.
As for Lane, I have to say its a tough coin toss call to pick between him and the other recruits for the player of the year. Coming to the eels he played 25games for the year, and never shirked in any of them. He has played 4 seasons in the NRL before coming to the eels, and at 3 different clubs, for a total of 73 NRL games, scored an accumulation of 20 tries over the years as well.
His combination especially early in the season with Dylan Brown was great and it can only get better. When we look to forward leaders I think Lane could handle it quite well and into the future.
Will be great to see who his 2nd row partner will be next year.
Colin, the best of Lane will be seen moving forward. He’s found his home now. His footy journey has been about finding where he belonged. That place is Parra.
Mate, cannot disagree with either of your responses to my posts, I am seriously looking forward to next season, before then to hear of any new and any re-signings as well.
For Lane we need his backrow partner to be at least as able as he is, whether he’s in the system now or still to come, I don’t believe we are far off a complete team.
Well said Colin. I do occasionally disagree with your perceptions quite strongly as I see a lot of things footy-wise very differently to yourself. I must say though, these two posts of yours are the first time in a long time that I agree wholeheartedly with 2 consecutive contributions of yours. Opinions are as they say “a dime a dozen” and it is part of the human character to disagree.
I have always been encouraged by your enthusiasm to post yours, many just stand by and watch.
Thanks for the reply Rowdy.
For me, I have nil problems when people disagree with me and I know I disagree with others as well as yourself at times. I don’t get to the see games from the stands anymore, so what I see and refer to is mainly as a result of the box, and often strong gut feelings on players, club and supporters, who I have regard for as against so called fans.
While I look forward to next year, I am actually more interested in watching player movements and the like coming up. and preparing us for next year. Overall, I personally do not believe we need many more from outside to be signed, rather I am wondering how many of the 7/8 players left on the off contract list who will be retained.
11 days to go.
The perspective of tv vs live is interesting. I’ve got home from matches and looked at match comments from people viewing at home and wondered what game they were watching. At home you get minimal perception of work off the ball, of offside, of missed opportunities when spaces have been created. Then again, I’ve watched live and not noticed the work of individuals but given them more credit after the viewing of a replay.
Given the choice, I think nothing beats viewing it live.
You don’t get caught up in the refereeing as much either sixties. Whilst there are replays on screens, your eyes keep going back to the game. At home it’s all on the one screen, commentators screeching about the latest decision.
Good point. I suppose that means that at home viewers are often influenced by or reacting to the commentary. At the game, it’s more about what you’re seeing. You might react to people around you but you don’t have the opinion of commentators shoved down your throat – unless you watch with the sound down.
Many, many years ago, when I was married, my brother in law worked at channel 9. He brought home this equipment which took the commentary out of the broadcast but left the crowd noise in. He also supplied headsets, and for fun we recorded commentary of an Origin match live as it happened. It was fun but it wasn’t an easy task to call it accurately so I have respect for the callers like Rabs who do it well. But those who are there for opinions/analysis certainly have unusual perspectives at times.
While Rabs can be a bit annoying at times, what kills him and others are the almost constant jibes and smartness of at least one of the co commentators, while one other is not far behind in that area.
Agreed Col, for me Lane has been a superb acquisition to the club and i only hope he can perform consistently.
Tim was a champ and it would have been good to see him play a last match….but it must have been a valid reason.
Milo, I don’t have any idea why Tim did not get a send off match to play in, especially when one considers the time and effort that he has put into the club. There has been rumours regarding it but I have ignored them.
Knowing the type of person Tim is, I would say he likely appreciated the spot he got at Cumberland in the thank you to him, I also tend to think he may have preferred to have stayed with the Wenty team as it gave him the chance to win a grand final, along with trying to help that team climb the ladder once he was out of the NRL squad, & no doubt would have helped some of the young wenty players as well.
Glad you ignored the rubbish rumours Colin. They were just that – rubbish.
There’s a lot of rubbish that needs ignoring sixties and that is one of them. I have utmost respect for Tim, and that goes back a long way, not just as a player but person, I still have the newspaper clips when his brother John was diagnosed with Cancer and came back to the eels.
On his passing, one could see the emotion, emptiness on John’s passing, but it was in Tim’s commentary that really saw the man and person that Tim Mannah still is.
I also believe that he will display those virtues and try to pass them on in his new eels position whatever that is.
Yes, we wish him well in his career.
Milo, I would have liked to have seen Tim have a farewell game too, but as you said it must have been a valid reason why he did not.
I believe that reasoning was part of BA’s ability to make the hard calls which needed to be made for the good of the whole. Brad did trumpet this mindset early in his tenure when he advised Fui Fui, another great Parra stalwart and front-rower. BA explained that he needed room to blood the younger forwards and to have the experienced Fui in Reggies to help mentor the young blokes coming through.
Timmy eventually copped it on the chin after some wise council and remains at the club in another capacity. Fui sulked and refused accept reality and has continued elsewhere going from bad to worse. Apparently refusing to cop a tip from wiser older heads.
It can’t be easy to make those tough calls. It shows great strength of character when it happens.
Rowdy yes fair points. I recall Fui and all that. Interesting times ahead. I hope BA has it in him to tap some more on the shoulder as needed as I think he may.
Milo, who would be tapped on the shoulder?
I know where you are coming from and do agree, thing is how do you do that to someone that is still on contract as they would have to be paid their contract monies anyway.
Sort of catch 22
That Parra age group had some talent in it Milo. Quite a few went on to forge successful careers.
Agreed i know I’ve left some out and am sure more played NRL. Kilifi boy as well from Penrith. And more.That final was high on skill.
How do you measure these mental-based skills? You’ve given it a great shot there sixties. The evidence is there each week in attitude, performance and results. Fingers crossed, we shouldn’t go backwards if the playing group buys in to a future vision for the team and club. The $64,000 question for me, and everyone will have a different view, is that mental waywardness, particularly in the forwards, which shows up as poor composure, lack of concentration and second effort. We certainly got better in 2019 but nowhere near the top level standards.
Like the improved season itself BDon, improvement in leadership will only be proven to be true if it is evident next year. In exploring it, I’m working through another aspect of the team which needs to take the next step to make us competitive with the top performing clubs.
Looks like Matterson is all but signed. Are you going to do a whole piece on it and his history with the club? I’d be keen to read that. What are your first thoughts if true?