If Purtell is off to Toronto or retiring who should be the club captain next year?

We've been short of leaders for some years. Purtell himself has been absent due to injury a lot this year and in many games we've lacked leadership.

I don't think any of the current squad or rumoured signings are up to it.

Any thoughts?

Unless a better candidate is signed, Kris Welham for mine.

He's one of the few players that even when everyone's playing pants, he still looks like he's trying. Leads by example better than most on the pitch I'd say.

Probably one of Sidlow, O' Brien, Welham or Pryce.

Welham is a good shout - he has balls.

I'd say Leon maybe? Has a lot of useful experience?

Where is Purtell? he's not been mentioned by anyone for weeks? has he gone and joined Nobby at Toronto?

Problem with Leon is that he goes missing a lot, especially when the game isn't going well. Which is when you need your captain to be leading by example and stepping up.

you have a point. will Adam O'Brien be our longest serving player next year?

Depends if Olbison's contract is renewed.

A O'B depends on how much the coach rates him and it seems it's not as much as we do, so I'd guess he's very much an outside bet for skipper.

Sidlow for me. We need someone to give the team a bollocking on the field when the going gets tough. Half the reason we've lost so many games this season. We've had no leader on the field to calm the players when needed, or kick them up their backside when needed. Thats why we've look so weak when the goings got tough and are in a dogfight.

Sidlow is still relatively quiet, but out of everyone, he's the best IMO

Sidlow is too quiet for me. There we times on Sunday and in other games when the pack has ambled to a scrum when we're behind or allowed the threequarters to make the tough carries and I've thought we need a forward to get a grip of the pack here and instil some fight.

In the past we've had people who can do that (Peacock, McDermott, Fairbank, Grayshon). I know we couldn't compete for their equivalents nowadays but there must be some reliable forwards around in our league we can bring in who can provide that leadership?

I also agree that Leon, experienced as he is, is no way captain material.

The problem with that logic is that Sidlow has been captain for most of this season (while Purtell has been out). And he hasn't done any of that. He will have been captain against Fev too when it needed someone to get the lazy feckers motivated.

Is Chisholm still too new to the squad or could he be a contender in February?
Not Leon. Who would tell him what to do when he goes AWOL in a game when it gets tough as it undoubtedly will.

He nearly didn't have after the match against Whitehaven,

The fact that nobody stands out says it all.

Smith needs to bring someone in like a Graeme Bradley type who can kick some ar5e on the field and inspire the rest of the team.