Earlier today, at Carlton’s final training session before its tour to South Africa, Senior Coach Brett Ratten announced the six players who have been appointed to the 2008 Carlton leadership group.
They are Andrew Carrazzo, Brendan Fevola, Chris Judd, Heath Scotland, Kade Simpson and Nick Stevens.
“We identified the most important leadership qualities for the Carlton team and the entire playing group has been involved in the selection of the leadership group with voting based on these identified leadership qualities,” Ratten said.
Ratten identified leadership development as an important issue for the young Carlton playing group and said that while the leadership team has been selected, the club will continue to provide ongoing leadership development to all players.
“We are committed to developing our players to become better AFL players and this includes improving leadership skills. We will continue to work with the players in this area, including during our visit to South Africa, to develop their leadership skills and to improve their understanding of team leadership,” Ratten added.
In 2007 Carlton boasted a leadership team of 12 and the decision to empower a smaller leadership team was confirmed in conjunction with the identification of the leadership qualities.
Ratten confirmed that the Match Committee will select the Carlton Captain for 2008. The captain will be selected from the leadership group, a process completed after the commencement of the NAB Cup and further player leadership development programs.
Carlton’s 2008 Leadership Group
Andrew Carrazzo
24 years of age
Carlton and AFL debut in 2004
63 Games
Won the John Nicholls Medal (Carlton Best & Fairest) in 2007
Brendan Fevola
27 years of age
Carlton and AFL debut in 1999
142 Games
Chris Judd
24 years of age
Made his AFL debut in 2002 and joined Carlton following the 2007 season after playing 134 games for the West Coast Eagles
West Coast Captain in 2006 (Premiership captain) and 2007
Heath Scotland
27 years of age
Carlton debut in 2004 and has played 85 games for Carlton
Has played 138 AFL games after playing 53 games for Collingwood between 1999 and 2003
Kade Simpson
23 years of age
Carlton and AFL debut in 2003
65 Games
Acting Carlton Captain during 2007
Nick Stevens
28 years of age
Carlton debut in 2004 and has played 65 games for Carlton
Has played 192 AFL games after playing 127 games for Port Adelaide between 1998 and 2003
Joint Vice-Captain of the Carlton Football Club in 2006
