Leadership can be as simple as a knowing look in the eye, says emerging Fremantle leader Lee Spurr.
Spurr was included in the club’s leadership group in 2014.
This year he has shouldered more responsibility, particularly with the backline in the intermittent absences of veterans Michael Johnson and Luke McPharlin.
The defence may also be without McPharlin for Friday night’s Preliminary Final against Hawthorn as he battles a calf injury.
“I really enjoy being a leader, elected by my peers,” Spurr told AFL.com.au.
“It’s a great responsibility to have.
“I try and set an example through how I play and communicate with my team mates.”
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However, Spurr said the club’s philosophy was every player was a leader, no matter how many games they had under their belt.
“We’ve got 22 leaders out there on the football field,” Spurr said.
“Everyone stands up and plays their part.”
Sometimes though, it is not a spray or reassuring voice between teammates that is most effective.
“There are times when the game is really loud and you can’t communicate with each other by voice,” Spurr said.
“I think the ability to just get a bit of eye contact, to signal and understand each other, that bond and link between the back six helps to communicate.”
