Are we seeing Geelongs culture crumbling?

[Moonshadow 17,678]

What isn't reasonable about that? Bomber has a proven track record, he built that list from the ground up, he is a known culture builder - and has the points on the board.

Chris Scott didn't win a flag because he is a good coach, he won a flag because Bomber Thompson had set up a good foundation, good culture, great structure and framework. IMO, now we are seeing that fall apart. When a great culture builder leaves a club, I don't think you can just replace him with a run on the mill coach. The MFC handover progression - of Roos/Goodwin - is a testament to this, more so, how important it is that the next coach is on top of everything. Since Thompson has left Geelong we have seen a raft of undisciplined acts by Geelong players, this wouldn't of happened under Bombers watch.

Incorrect. As mentioned earlier, it also happened under Bomber's watch, regularly, including permitting reckless mad Monday incidents, which Scott largely cleaned up. And the circumstance in which Bomber left was a great act of culture, wasn't it? Scott won a flag with Geelong despit the mess Bomber left behind. He's no run of the mill coach. You have proven you know little about football if this is your line of thought. Next.

[Machsy 2,858]

To the contrary, I think we are seeing just how strong their culture is... you screw up and you get dropped, regardless of how important the upcoming game is.

Rubbish!

If the culture was so good it wouldn't happen in the first place.

It's a pretty bloody stupid and selfish move to go out on the [censored] heavily with a former teammate in Simpkin on the Saturday before a Monday match.

This event has been watered down in the media too - don't believe everything you read.

[KingDingAling 3,758]

Incorrect. As mentioned earlier, it also happened under Bomber's watch, regularly, including permitting reckless mad Monday incidents, which Scott largely cleaned up. And the circumstance in which Bomber left was a great act of culture, wasn't it? Scott won a flag with Geelong despit the mess Bomber left behind. He's no run of the mill coach. You have proven you know little about football if this is your line of thought. Next.

Mad Monday is a celebration after a grand final - in which Geelong won a couple under Bomber. This might be news to you, but most sides celebrate when they achieve the ultimate success, Hawthorn is no different - and I am sure most sides celebrate for over a week. To understand the importance of Bomber Thompson to Geelong, you would have to have an understanding about importance of culture. I would've thought that as a MFC supporter you would be familiar with this concept.

[hardtack 10,872]

Rubbish!

If the culture was so good it wouldn't happen in the first place.

It's a pretty bloody stupid and selfish move to go out on the [censored] heavily with a former teammate in Simpkin on the Saturday before a Monday match.

This event has been watered down in the media too - don't believe everything you read.

Of course these things happen at many clubs - they cannot watch their players 24x7 and there is always a chance any one player could go off the rails.

I read nothing by the way., but I would be interested to know where you get your "good oil" from (and what makes your word any better than that of the media?)?

The fact that the club saw fit to stand down one of their more important players on the eve of an important game when they could easily be sitting at 0-2 speaks volumes for the CLUB culture.

[Moonshadow 17,678]

Mad Monday is a celebration after a grand final - in which Geelong won a couple under Bomber. This might be news to you, but most sides celebrate when they achieve the ultimate success, Hawthorn is no different - and I am sure most sides celebrate for over a week. To understand the importance of Bomber Thompson to Geelong, you would have to have an understanding about importance of culture. I would've thought that as a MFC supporter you would be familiar with this concept.

As someone who follows football, I'd have thought you would have known that Mad Monday is a celebration after the last game that EACH team plays for the season, not just after a GF. Bomber was coach during 10 years of Mad Monday's at Geelong and if you don't know already, some of those set very high benchmarks for stupid player behaviour.

To summarise my POV, I believe Bomber was a very good coach who helped create a very good leadership, which Scott has continued. Geelong, like all clubs, have always had player incidents. They are still a very good side and those that think they are on the slide are experiencing wishful thinking.

That's it for me Ding-a-ling. Over and out.

[KingDingAling 3,758]

As someone who follows football, I'd have thought you would have known that Mad Monday is a celebration after the last game that EACH team plays for the season, not just after a GF. Bomber was coach during 10 years of Mad Monday's at Geelong and if you don't know already, some of those set very high benchmarks for stupid player behaviour.

To summarise my POV, I believe Bomber was a very good coach who helped create a very good leadership, which Scott has continued. Geelong, like all clubs, have always had player incidents. They are still a very good side and those that think they are on the slide are experiencing wishful thinking.

That's it for me Ding-a-ling. Over and out.

Nah, I respect your opinion, and I am only differing on the continuation of culture - in that I don't believe Scott has continued what Bomber implemented.

I think the dynasty is on the decline, so I guess time will tell. If I am wrong then I will bow to your superior football knowledge.

[DeeSpencer 26,328]

After the latest Steven Motlop saga it seems there could be a few cracks falling through.

Josh Caddy robbery prank.

Billy Smedts driving selfie photo.

Dawson Simpson Drink driving.

Allen Christensen off field issues that resulted in seeking a trade.

Brad Hartman taking personal leave.

Recruiting Mitch Clark.

Personally i think their great dynasty is over. Their young players are a real worry as they don't seem ready to step up. Im talking about Caddy, Smedts, Horlin Smith, Walker, Simpson.

Their older players are slowing down. Bartel, Johnson,Lonergan, Stokes, Enright, McIntosh,Rivers all looked cooked and slow..

I can see us overtaking them within the near future.

2 words.

Jeff Garlett.

Elite on field standards and preparation doesn't = perfect player behaviour. Most premiership teams have the majority if not all players absolutely preparing professionally. Not all of the 22 are choir boys though. Especially as younger players.

I'm willing to dismiss the Caddy, Smedts, Christensen and Simpson issues as young players being young players. No senior player or culture at a footy club can prevent those issues.

Hartman isn't much different to Dom Barry. An Indigenous kid who didn't love city life and professional football. There's probably been one at every club in the last decade. We've had 3 or 4 (Barry, Wona, Jurrah and the short lived Kelvin Lawrence).

Their more mature younger players (the ages 21-24) hitting a wall as you've mentioned (Caddy, Murdoch, Walker, Horlin-Smith, Smedts etc) is their biggest issue right now. Because the older guys will have to hand over in the next 24 months and these guys currently aren't showing they are up for it. In fact Guthrie, Duncan and Motlop are the 3 who are looking like above average players. The rest aren't. Off field stuff isn't that big of a deal. There's not an AFL club that can keep all of their young guys in line and some of the incidents you mentioned are non events.

[McQueen 17,867]

Clark sledged by the Hawks.

http://m.afl.com.au/news/2015-04-09/clark-sledged-by-hawks

[Fork 'em 7,045]

Fork 'im.
Hope we get into him too.

Edited April 9, 2015 by Fork 'em

[Adam The God 30,617]

There's no one taking the place of the older guys. Where are the next A graders going to come from at Geelong? I just don't see it. In Two years time, I think they'll find themselves in the bottom half of the league. They haven't been able to top up as well as Hawthorn have and personally, I think Scott's attitude appears to be pretty arrogant from the outside. He played five kids last week and they all got a pummelling in their first game. Where were the leaders getting 'round them? Where were the experienced players getting around Darcy when he appeared to be a deer in the headlights? Johnson managed to get himself reported. Doesn't look good.

In two years time, they'll have an aging Clark, Taylor and Hawkins. A handy spine, but where are their other stars? They'll all have retired. They're in big trouble. I wonder how much this year will expose Chris Scott. He always did get a premiership handed to him on a plate.

[WERRIDEE 5,586]

They are still a very good side and those that think they are on the slide are experiencing wishful thinking.

They are very old and slow and take out Selwood and Stevie J their midfield is almost bare and that's where games are lost and won.

They had problems last year they were a very shaky top 4 team, they won so many games because of their aura they just knew they could win while the opposition because they were playing the mighty Cats thought they couldn't win.

That changed when they got outplayed by the worst top 4 team of all time in the Kangaroos. Their aura is gone most teams can come up against the Cats knowing they can win when before they couldn't. The won't slide dramatically but they will slide and struggle to make the 8.

Hawthorn on the other hand are unbeatable. They have a massive chance of going through the season undefeated, they will go into most games knowing they have won the game before the ball has even been bounced.

It will be just like us when every team has given up on the flag we will come from nowhere and play like stars and come up against this powerhouse in the Grand Final and get beaten by 100 points.

People will say I'm dreaming but it can happen, it has happened to us twice before.

[DubDee 26,325]

So what exactly did motlop do ? have a stubby or two on Good Friday or did hit the schnapps pretty hard?

I'm sure I'm naive here but a couple of pots 3 days before a game... Whats the big deal? Or is it because it was in public?

[jackaub 1,402]

Very strong Rumour that the players hate Scott and are not performing for him

Watch this unfold! Get a bet on now that Scott goes before Meltdown Mick at Carlton

Ohh the joy that other clubs are starting to have Coaching/player isssues meanwhile The Dees put two wins togather

[Machsy 2,858]

Of course these things happen at many clubs - they cannot watch their players 24x7 and there is always a chance any one player could go off the rails.

I read nothing by the way., but I would be interested to know where you get your "good oil" from (and what makes your word any better than that of the media?)?

The fact that the club saw fit to stand down one of their more important players on the eve of an important game when they could easily be sitting at 0-2 speaks volumes for the CLUB culture.

From inside the club.

They've publicly leaked info understating the severity of this incident, but to go out 2 days before round 1 & get smashed with a player from the opposing club is the height of stupidity & arrogance.

I'd expect the same suspension from any club with a half-decent culture.

It's certainly isnt indicative of industry-best culture.

[John Crow Batty 8,882]

I think Geelong have been worried about the quality of new players developed by the club. That's why they went for someone like Clark and to a lesser extent with Bleese. Looking for immediate impact to compensate and not to fill gaps in their side. Not sure it will work. Players of questionable smarts and flawed talent. Further heavy losses may erode that culture.

Edited April 9, 2015 by america de cali

[rjay 25,307]

I think Geelong have been worried about the quality of new players developed by the club. That's why they went for someone like Clark and to a lesser extent with Bleese. Looking for immediate impact to compensate and not to fill gaps in their side. Not sure it will work. Players of questionable smarts and flawed talent. Further heavy losses may erode that culture.

Yep, said something similar at the end of the trade period. They seem to be taking risks now that they wouldn't touch before...even the Dangerfield thing is not Geelong of old.

Hawthorn on the other hand are unbeatable. They have a massive chance of going through the season undefeated, they will go into most games knowing they have won the game before the ball has even been bounced.

I think Hawthorn are also on the slide...just a very slow slide.

They also have most of their prime movers over 30yo. Hawthorn will need everything to run in their favour to win the flag this year. If they get a run of injury like last season around finals time rather than mid season then they won't win a flag.

I wouldn't get as overly excited by their first game as some have, it was only against a sub standard Geelong.

[Return to Glory 8,467]

I'm already hearing that Mitch Clarke's ' Saturday night - Mallop Street, Geelong' in Sovereign Hill sepia went for a song on ebay. If that's any indication.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 17,049]

Rubbish!

If the culture was so good it wouldn't happen in the first place.

It's a pretty bloody stupid and selfish move to go out on the [censored] heavily with a former teammate in Simpkin on the Saturday before a Monday match.

This event has been watered down in the media too - don't believe everything you read.

So, if I don't believe everything I read, the logical conclusion is not to believe your post.

Which then leads to the conclusion that if I don't believe everything you've written, I should therefore believe everything I read.

Which then leads to the conclusion that I should believe what you've written, which...oh, bugger it.

[hardtack 10,872]

So, if I don't believe everything I read, the logical conclusion is not to believe your post.

Which then leads to the conclusion that if I don't believe everything you've written, I should therefore believe everything I read.

Which then leads to the conclusion that I should believe what you've written, which...oh, bugger it.

I think we need Yossarian to explain this one.

[daisycutter 29,893]

I think we need Yossarian to explain this one.

enyaw not good enough for you?

[John Crow Batty 8,882]

I am sure if Essendon got away undetected with their drug culture, Hird and his media stooges would now be talking up the "great culture" at Bomberland for their success.

Edited April 10, 2015 by america de cali

[John Crow Batty 8,882]

Not a rumour.

It was the reason Kingsley was shipped to Richmond.

His career was finished by the time he got to Richmond. Looks like there were two good reasons to get rid of him.

[Elusive Tunbridge 795]

So, if I don't believe everything I read, the logical conclusion is not to believe your post.

Which then leads to the conclusion that if I don't believe everything you've written, I should therefore believe everything I read.

Which then leads to the conclusion that I should believe what you've written, which...oh, bugger it.

Your logic trips over the difference between everything and anything. But you don't have to believe this.

[dee-luded 2,959]

After the latest Steven Motlop saga it seems there could be a few cracks falling through.

Josh Caddy robbery prank.

Billy Smedts driving selfie photo.

Dawson Simpson Drink driving.

Allen Christensen off field issues that resulted in seeking a trade.

Brad Hartman taking personal leave.

Recruiting Mitch Clark.

Personally i think their great dynasty is over. Their young players are a real worry as they don't seem ready to step up. Im talking about Caddy, Smedts, Horlin Smith, Walker, Simpson.

Their older players are slowing down. Bartel, Johnson,Lonergan, Stokes, Enright, McIntosh,Rivers all looked cooked and slow..

I can see us overtaking them within the near future.

or, are we witnessing the Cats, follow the Pies RatPack's lead ?

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/dale-thomas-says-8216rat-pack8217-not-a-problem-at-collingwood/story-fni5f6hd-1226663831892

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-12-14/bucks-rat-pack-and-me

now, which is the common link

[hardtack 10,872]

enyaw not good enough for you?

He's far too highfalutin for me.

Edited April 10, 2015 by hardtack