When Nick Maxwell was put forward as a candidate for the Collingwood captaincy after Nathan Buckley's retirement at the end of 2007, many scoffed, suggesting the former rookie would be better off concentrating on holding his spot in the Magpies' best 22. While Scott Burns got the nod over Maxwell then, Maxwell ascended to the Magpies' top job a year later when Burns retired.
In the two seasons since, Maxwell has established himself as one of the competition's best leaders on and off the field with any queries on the legitimacy of his claims to the captaincy long since forgotten.
Media Watch was reminded of Maxwell's journey to the Collingwood captaincy by The Age's report that North Melbourne coach Brad Scott saw defender Nathan Grima as a strong contender to become North captain when Brent Harvey eventually relinquishes the position.
As happened with Maxwell, some are bound to be surprised that a player with 30 games' experience would be considered future captaincy material.
But, like Maxwell, Grima's leadership qualities stand out to those around his club.
Scott told The Age of Grima's transformation from a "lad" who held court at the pub to a player who naturally draws others to follow the exemplary example he sets on the field, training track and away from the club.
And, like Maxwell, if Grima does become captain, there is no danger he'll become football's equivalent of former English cricket captain Mike Brearley, an excellent tactician but a liability as a batsman.
In a forthcoming preview of North Melbourne's 2011 prospects, afl.com.au has nominated Grima as North's most valuable player, his ability to mind the competition's best power forwards crucial to the Kangaroos' defence.
Scotts united again in the media
As much as football's first twins, Brad and Chris Scott, strive for independence, it becomes clearer our newspapers need just the flimsiest excuse to conjoin them in print.
On Thursday, The Age's excuse was the AFL's annual meeting with the competition's coaches.
What would an article on the Scott twins be without a gratuitous reference to their reputation as on-field tough guys? The Age got that in early.
It then made the startling revelation North Melbourne's Brad and Geelong's Chris make up "almost an eighth of the coaching fraternity".
This was followed with - we presume - a tongue-in-cheek expression of concern for AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou and football operations general manager Adrian Anderson should the Scotts bring their renowned "menace" into Thursday's meeting.
Finally, some substance was injected. Geelong CEO Brian Cook said he expects Chris to be a fearless advocate for the Cats, while the paper noted Brad had already established his credentials on that front with his criticism of the new substitute rule last Saturday.
Nixon's day of reckoning draws near
Ricky Nixon could be stripped of his licence as a player manager, possibly by as early as Thursday, with The Age's Caroline Wilson suggesting the AFL Players' Association is "certain" to take this course of action.
As the AFLPA considers what to do with Nixon after receiving David Galbally's report on the accusations made against him by a 17-year-old girl, Wilson said Galbally's report contained "more than enough evidence" for the AFLPA to revoke Nixon's licence.
The Herald Sun and The Australian were more circumspect, however. The Herald Sun reported Nixon "could" lose his licence at a meeting of the AFLPA agent accreditation board on Thursday, while The Australian said the AFLPA was likely to hand Nixon a "severe sanction".
Malthouse may leave coaching yet
Many in football assume Mick Malthouse will coach beyond this season. At Collingwood or elsewhere, despite his agreement with the Magpies to step aside for Nathan Buckley and move into a coaching director role from 2012.
However, this may not be case, according to the Herald Sun. The tabloid reports Malthouse has increased his media commitments this season, signing on with Channel 10's new Thursday night show, The Game Plan.
It said this may be a sign Malthouse was shoring up his career options post coaching, and may be content to stay at Collingwood as its coaching director.
As further evidence of this, the paper quoted Channel 10's head of football David Barham as saying Malthouse would be in even greater demand in the media if he stepped down as Magpies coach, and stated its belief Malthouse wants to spend more time with his grandchildren.
We await the next update on Mick's future plans with baited breath.
In short
West Coast coach John Worsfold has bucked the recent trend of AFL coaches criticising the new substitute rule, saying it would mean the game's stars stayed on the field longer and fans would be treated to more one-on-one contests, The West Australian reports.
Adelaide Crows chairman Rob Chapman says Graham Johncock can win this year's Brownlow Medal, tipping the attacking defender to step up following the retirements of club greats Andrew McLeod, Simon Goodwin and Tyson Edwards, The Advertiser reports.
Gold Coast has elected not to play in the North East Australian Football League's pre-season matches over the next two weekends, meaning captain Gary Ablett and star recruit Jared Brennan will go into the Suns' first game, in round two against Carlton, without playing a practice match, The Courier Mail reports.
Sydney Swans coach John Longmire assured fans at the club's jumper presentation on Wednesday he would be a tough taskmaster and ensure any debutants earn the right to wear the Swans' jumper, The Daily Telegraph reports.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
