Robbie: I've seen worse

[jumbo returns 6,619]

Remember rounds 12 and 13 in 1998?

At half time on the MCG v. the Cats it was Melb 1.3 to Geel 15.3.

We got our first goal on the stroke of half time in perfect conditions. I remember shedding a quiet tear at half time facing up to sheer hopelessness. We went on to lose by 19 goals.

The next week, v. the Saints at the MCG, we lost by 14 goals.

We went on to come 4th after the home and away rounds, then won 2 Finals by 8 goals, including beating the premiers.

I remember feeling just as hopeless at the MCG that day against Geelong as I do now.

SO DON"T GIVE UP!!!!

(and don't boo our players)

And, ironically, beat West Coast over at Subi the following week.

This game launched Robbo's career, Nathan Brown had a pony tail, Junior Mac and Stinga played blinders.

I think I still have the game on VCR somewhere.

Having said that, the midfield ran and ran and ran.

Wonder if we can pick a quick team on Saturday? Smash the record number of rotations, bring the sub on early and run these p*icks ragged.

[Jumping Jack Clennett 1,665]

And, ironically, beat West Coast over at Subi the following week.

This game launched Robbo's career, Nathan Brown had a pony tail, Junior Mac and Stinga played blinders.

I think I still have the game on VCR somewhere.

Having said that, the midfield ran and ran and ran.

Wonder if we can pick a quick team on Saturday? Smash the record number of rotations, bring the sub on early and run these p*icks ragged.

Yeah....Robbo had some good days at Subiaco.

Perhaps it will suit Jumping Jeremy when we're over there later this season.

Who are our faster players? Obviously Blease. Are Evans, Tynan and Taggart fast?What about Troy Davis?

The Russian isn't very fast!

[jumbo returns 6,619]

Yeah....Robbo had some good days at Subiaco.

Perhaps it will suit Jumping Jeremy when we're over there later this season.

Who are our faster players? Obviously Blease. Are Evans, Tynan and Taggart fast?What about Troy Davis?

The Russian isn't very fast!

There's enough pace on the list, but will Neeld be bloody, bold and resolute to pick a team that would stretch the Coasters?

Pace, pace and more pace.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,534]

There's enough pace on the list, but will Neeld be bloody, bold and resolute to pick a team that would stretch the Coasters?

Pace, pace and more pace.

Happy to have pace, as long as they're prepared to run both ways.

[Jumping Jack Clennett 1,665]

In 1992 Hawthorn beat Essendon by 160 points!!!

The Bombers won the flag the next year!

[Jumping Jack Clennett 1,665]

Not only that, it was in about round 20!

I wonder if those Essendon players were thinking about the next year 's flag as they trudged off the ground after losing by 160 points.

I wonder if their own supporters booed them.

I wonder if the booers felt guilty as they celebrated the 1993 premiership.

[demoniac 1,246]

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/my-demons-were-even-worse-club-great-tells-the-players/story-fnca0u4y-1226614459791

Robbie was there on Saturday night, and reckons the Demons of days gone by have put in even worse efforts than the one we saw on the weekend.

Presumably, he was referring to the 190-point belting at the hands of Fitzroy in 1979. Did Flower play that day?

Also says it's not the time for knee-jerk reactions and supporters need to be patient.

It's worth pointing out that in 1986, the Dons handed us a 20-goal thrashing... we made the finals just 12 months later.

I was there that day. My Queensland born and bred Dad was a nominal Fitzroy fan due to the Maroons link. Always get the shivers when I go to The Standard and see the Fitzroy poster commerating that game.

[monoccular 16,707]

Cudi...

"The reason I fail to feel sorry for these players is because I am almost certain it is a mind thing. I think it's all in their head. They need to eradicate that and part of that is on the administration and coaching team to assist them to make that transition, so no one should avoid scrutiny.

This team is not without talent. It is just grossly lacking confidence and a drive to win."

... I totally agree

which is why I suggested, in another thread, that the new CEO invites TGRDB to address the players, this week, about life, success and what can be achieved by hard work as a team. Surely it could do no harm, and if RF were to do the same, all the better (though sadly he could never speak from first hand about success in the way that TGRDB could.)

[Jumping Jack Clennett 1,665]

In 1986 not only did we lose to Ess by122 pts in rd.15, but we lost to Carl by 116 in rd. 10, and Swans by 124 in rd. 17.

Haw. Beat us by 11 and 14 goals, and Ess by 10 in the other game.

Had Garry Lyon not broken his leg at Footscray in 1987, we might easily have won the premiership,the year after those debacles.

I'm not saying that the circumstances are the same now, I'm just making the point that things can look bleak and hopeless, but can change for the better surprisingly quickly.

[Jumping Jack Clennett 1,665]

Did Demonlanders see Peter Hanlon's article re Hawthorn's turnaround after its 128 pt loss to Carl in 1969?(p51 Age today, Thurs)

Another example similar to the ones quoted above, of how it's wrong to panic and lose all hope after thrashings.

It seems impossible for us to end up having an improved season after this horrific start.

BUT.....time and time again, sides have made remarkable recoveries! (including us!)

Keep the faith!! Tell your kids we're still worth barracking for!! Wins are all the more enjoyable when you've experienced what we have. It won't be long.