Our Starts, My Observation.

[demon destruction 81]

I know it has been well publicised in recent weeks about the poor starts we have in matches but i think it was time either the leadership group or coaching staff took a bit of responsibility.

I was lucky enough to get into the rooms before the Carlton game. During the warm up there was alot of laughing and joking around which to me came across as not switched on. Whilst i know they are there a couple of hours before the game and you dont want them to have played the game in their heads before they walk out on the ground but this was 20-25 minutes before the bounce. On the day i dismissed it but watching the following week just before the bounce when they were doing a bit of kicking practice i was seeing the same thing again.

When you watch Geelong/Stkilda just before a game and particularly when they are walking out on the ground there is nothing but focus in their eyes and on their faces. i just question if we have that same focus in our team. It is going to be very hard for us to win games if we are continually coming from behind, who is responsible for bringing the team together before the game and getting everyone focused in the same direction?

I am extremely dissappointed from Sunday with our start particularly as it was talked up in the papers before the game, i expected to see them come out breathing fire but there was nothing. We need to get our attitude right before we run onto the ground so we are focused on the first contest and the next contest.

[stuie 7,374]

I know it has been well publicised in recent weeks about the poor starts we have in matches but i think it was time either the leadership group or coaching staff took a bit of responsibility.

I was lucky enough to get into the rooms before the Carlton game. During the warm up there was alot of laughing and joking around which to me came across as not switched on. Whilst i know they are there a couple of hours before the game and you dont want them to have played the game in their heads before they walk out on the ground but this was 20-25 minutes before the bounce. On the day i dismissed it but watching the following week just before the bounce when they were doing a bit of kicking practice i was seeing the same thing again.

When you watch Geelong/Stkilda just before a game and particularly when they are walking out on the ground there is nothing but focus in their eyes and on their faces. i just question if we have that same focus in our team. It is going to be very hard for us to win games if we are continually coming from behind, who is responsible for bringing the team together before the game and getting everyone focused in the same direction?

I am extremely dissappointed from Sunday with our start particularly as it was talked up in the papers before the game, i expected to see them come out breathing fire but there was nothing. We need to get our attitude right before we run onto the ground so we are focused on the first contest and the next contest.

You're spot on! And wow that's disappointing hearing about that stuff from the rooms. Is it Bailey's job to get them focused or would you think being pro athletes that they should be responsible to take the week of preparation and put it into practise?

If the consensus is that it's the coaches job then that highlights again my ongoing concern that Bailey might not be a great match day coach as far as inspiring and focusing the team goes. I like him mostly, apart from concerns about us having the gameplan of "run through the middle, but if they're aware of it then just flood back", but I would love to see some emotion from him on match day (when needed).

[e25 5]

YAWN.

[stuie 7,374]

YAWN.

Why bother then? Just move on if this doesn't interest you

[Guest oldman emubitter]

was in the rooms last year for the eagles game at subi. you could cut the air with a knife prior to the boys running out, they were seriously revved up and played a great game that day.

[Neita3000 37]

A week or so ago they showed the Geelong boys casually admiring Gary Ablett's seniors work on the big screen prior to their match against the Dons. They seemed to be enjoying themselves then. I don't think your observations are very valid.

[Doggo 32]

I think pre-match preparations more than anything come down to the individual. Some players will be all jokes and chirpy, hyperactive, restless and bouncing around, as their own way of settling their nerves or even focusing their energy. Others may be the stern-faced quiet types. Some love a good yell and rev up or barging into a few bodies and slapping a few heads (and bums) to get the adrenaline pumping.

It all comes down to the individual personality of each player. As long as the collective vibe is one that is positive and revved up, or 'switched on', things are fine. If as the OP suggests, the collective vibe is lackadaisical, then the leaders and the coaching dept need to review those preparations. And although it would be nice to have nothing but 22 stern 'switched-on' looking players with that cut-throat look in their eyes, week-in week-out... they're footballers (i.e people), not robots (unfortunately).

Although as professional athletes, i reckon they should be as close to robots as humanly possible!

[No16 1]

I was lucky enough to be in the rooms before the Richmond game last year (Round 4) and i have to say that the atmosphere was intense with all the boys very vocal, determined and focused.

[Eth 4]

Remember how many young kids are in the team. Of course they'll be a bit chatty and unfocussed.

[H_T 3,043]

I think pre-match preparations more than anything come down to the individual. Some players will be all jokes and chirpy, hyperactive, restless and bouncing around, as their own way of settling their nerves or even focusing their energy. Others may be the stern-faced quiet types. Some love a good yell and rev up or barging into a few bodies and slapping a few heads (and bums) to get the adrenaline pumping.

It all comes down to the individual personality of each player. As long as the collective vibe is one that is positive and revved up, or 'switched on', things are fine. If as the OP suggests, the collective vibe is lackadaisical, then the leaders and the coaching dept need to review those preparations. And although it would be nice to have nothing but 22 stern 'switched-on' looking players with that cut-throat look in their eyes, week-in week-out... they're footballers (i.e people), not robots (unfortunately).

Although as professional athletes, i reckon they should be as close to robots as humanly possible!

Some play their favourite tune on their i-pod, some prefer the massage or both. They do whatever they do to help them relax, focus before a game. Some eat 3 strawberry freddo frogs before a game ! (ie. Rohan Smith former bulldog) Some spew (Neita_ )

They do whatever is necessary to help them relax/focus before a big game. It's what they do once they pass the white line that actually counts.

[Jack7 528]

Out of 13 games this year we've only won 4 first quarters and Junior has played in all of them,a coincidence?After a PB of 38 disposals on QB against the Pies and a much highlighted clearance combo with Jamar,Moloney was heavily tagged which resulted in a 5 stat first half.Jones tagged Thompson and we had no chance of winning the clearances.The Crows were fierce at the ball and we just watched,we were second to the ball all day which starved our forwards which resulted in 29 inside 50's,it was amazing Bate kicked 4.1 which was a score one in six inside 50's.

Bottom line is Junior must play on next year,i'm not convinced Moloney and Jones will make us a top 4 midfield and until we toughen up mentally,we won't play finals.Crows won the second half 53-50,we only start playing when we are behind and we have a challenge in front of us.