Tales of a leader: Blood's interrupted first year still full of learning curves

The coronavirus pandemic gave the first-year Bloods skipper the chance to work on his communication skills, which he hopes will hold him in good stead when the Hampden league returns next year.

The 20-year-old, who was voted in by the playing group to co-lead with Jarryd Hay, said the coronavirus lockdown periods helped him develop.

"Communicating is the main thing because not being able to see each other we were doing stuff online and talking there," he said.

"Communication between each other is obviously important and all the playing group and coaches needed to maintain that and be on the same page."

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Hobbs, a former Greater Western Victoria Rebel, said the coronavirus situation had provided a unique start to life as a captain.

"It's a hard one because obviously you want to be playing, especially in your first year as captain, and in terms of that you want to lead by example on game day," he said.

"It's where you can prove yourself and this year with the circumstances it was about staying positive and keeping fit.

"(During isolation) I was trying to drag a few boys along for the ride and keep them all feeling positive, motivated and fit."

Hobbs said the support of the playing group was a key part in his progression as one of the side's leaders.

"Last year I was in the leadership group which was a really good experience and I learnt a lot as part of an extensive leadership group," he said.

"I got to learn off so many different people with different footy experiences. This year it (the captaincy) got put to a group decision again and I got a fair bit of support from my teammates."

The apprentice builder said current and former leaders at the club had played a big part in influencing his leadership style.

"Jarryd (Hay) has been captain every year I have been at Terang Mortlake and he was previously alongside Tyson Densely for a little bit and also 'Staunto' (Stephen Staunton) has been good," he said.

"They lead by example and it's always good to have more experienced leaders in the club that you can learn off."

The defender, who played junior football with Mortlake Sharks, said he would soak in as much knowledge as he could from Hay while they co-lead the Bloods.

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