Carlton Vice-Captain Jacob Weitering Urged to Show More Leadership After Slow Start
Carlton vice-captain Jacob Weitering has faced significant criticism for his lack of involvement and leadership outside of regular play during the Blues' opening two matches of the AFL season. Hawthorn legend Luke Hodge has been particularly vocal, expressing disappointment in Weitering's passive approach compared to the inspirational efforts of captain Patrick Cripps.
Behind-the-Goals Vision Reveals Concerning Lack of Engagement
Footage from Carlton's Opening Round loss to the Sydney Swans highlighted Weitering's apparent disinterest in physical confrontations or rallying his teammates. This was especially notable given that Weitering entered the season recovering from a rib fracture sustained during State of Origin. Hodge emphasised that his concerns extend beyond mere physicality.
"I'm thinking when your team's down you need to either be physical, you need to bring the guys in, you need to communicate with your midfield to understand what's going on," Hodge stated on Channel 7's The Agenda Setters program.
Contrast with Teammates and Other Leaders
The analysis pointed to a stark contrast between Weitering and his teammates. After a Swans goal in the third quarter, Sydney's Chad Warner mocked Weitering and ruffled his hair, with the Carlton defender simply walking away. Meanwhile, 18-year-old first-year player Harry Dean stepped in to defend his teammate.
"A first-year bloke goes in there and has a red-hot crack," Hodge observed. "All of a sudden Carlton have a few blokes with a little bit of energy come in. You have Sam Walsh running from the middle but look at Weitering. He's just standing way off the back."
Another incident later in the same quarter further highlighted the difference between Weitering and Cripps. When Cripps was taken to ground after hip-and-shouldering Tom Papley, Dean again rushed in to assist, while Weitering remained distant.
Comparison with Other AFL Leaders
Hodge compared Weitering unfavourably to other respected leaders in the competition, specifically mentioning Brisbane Lions captain Harris Andrews.
"For me, I look at the good leaders around, and I look at Harris Andrews — if the Lions get three goals kicked against them, he'll run up there and talk to the midfielders, and he'll be explaining to them what he needs and what they can do to help them out," Hodge explained.
"I looked at Weitering after most goals, especially in that third quarter Opening Round, and also against the Tigers on Thursday night, and there was none of that. There was no leadership. He went in there to do his own job, and anything outside of that it was non-existent."
Questions About Weitering's Commitment and Passion
When questioned by Kane Cornes about whether Weitering might be growing weary of the physical demands, Hodge expressed frustration that a first-year player like Dean was showing more initiative than the experienced vice-captain.
"For God's sake, you've got to go out there and show some passion," Hodge insisted. "Be physical. Be a part of it. Show your teammates that you're willing to stand up for the fight, because at the moment, it's Round 1, and we're not seeing it."
Support for Hodge's Assessment from Other AFL Figures
Collingwood premiership player Dale Thomas agreed completely with Hodge's assessment, acknowledging that while Weitering may be mild-mannered off the field, he needs to adopt a more intimidating presence during games.
"They've got to play on the edge more, there's no doubt about it," Thomas said. "That is just passive, friendly football, and that's going back to yourself. That's not worrying about what your club's getting or what you're getting served up to."
Thomas added: "Even if that isn't who you are — and Jacob is a very mild-mannered sort of guy off the field — once you cross that white line, like the unsociable Hawks, you've got to find a way to be 190cm and an intimidating figure, and then lead that backline with your actions as much as what you're doing in setting them up."
Weitering's Response and Future Expectations
Despite the criticism, Weitering did demonstrate leadership qualities immediately after the Swans loss, stepping up as the Carlton representative for post-match interviews when emotions overwhelmed some teammates, including Cripps. Cripps resumed this role after the victory over Richmond.
The scrutiny on Weitering's leadership comes at a crucial time for Carlton as they navigate the early stages of the AFL season. As vice-captain, expectations remain high for him to not only perform his defensive duties but also to inspire and unite his teammates during challenging moments on the field.
