AFL reporters Nat Edwards and Mitch Cleary duked it out on The Burning Question when they were asked who they think is the best AFL captain right now.
A cohesive AFL team is glued together by a leader, how strong that leader is often determines how successful their team becomes.
On the afl.com.au program, Cleary immediately jumped to Joel Selwood's advocacy, noting the high praise Selwood has received form his coach and former teammates throughout his tenure as skipper.
Joel Selwood became Geelong's longest serving captain on the weekend, in their 15-point loss to the Eagles.
"He's won four leading courageous player's in the competition, how much more can you get than that," Cleary explained on The Burning Question.
Edwards agreed Selwood is a good captain but questioned whether he has the attributes that Richmond captain Trent Cotchin possesses.
"Brave, calm, composed, uncompromising, courageous, that is Trent Cotchin," Edwards said.
She explained that it was invaluable how Cotchin was able to lead his team from not making the finals in 2016 to winning the AFL Grand Final and push through all the adversity along the way.
"Get your Geelong goggles off for just a second, Mitch," Edwards said.
"He exploits the rules to draw the high free kicks ... it is a flaw in him both as a player and as a captain and I think it takes [credibility] from his captaincy and his legacy."
Cleary made the point that Cotchin "almost gave up and almost handed it in," alluding to Cotchin's comments after the Grand Final admitting that he wasn't sure if he was the right fit for the team before the 2017 season.
"I can't recall Joel Selwood ever thinking of throwing the towel in," Cleary said.
Adelaide captain Taylor Walker also came up in conversation but Edwards dismissed his consideration due to his disappointing outing in the 2017 AFL Grand Final.
"He didn't perform on Grand Final day, I thought that was a little cross against him and also the way he handled the Jake Lever situation, so not for mine," Edwards explained.
