The Girls are Having a Good Time

[Brownie 5,988]

I'm really enjoying watching our women's team. Not only in the way they play but the culture they seem to have created. 
Not only do they seem really tight together but they also seem to really be enjoying their football and being part of our club.

Back on the field for the start of the third quarter, only 2 points up in a qualifying final and they're in a huddle and having a huge laugh together!
Two minutes later, they're back into it in a ferocious manner and smashing the reigning premiers.

It made me reflect on what seems to be a different culture between the men and the women.
Would the blokes get away with having a laugh on the field like that?
Would the media make a big storm out of it?
I know the blokes are under much more scrutiny, but footy must be a grind at times and this team seems to be really enjoying what they do. This must help build a team first culture.
Is there a couple of leaves that could be taken out of the women's team book by the men's team?

Mick Stinear and his team seem to have done a great job at building culture and even adjusting game plans from last seasons grand final defeat to how they play now. It's all happened very quickly and even the changes made throughout games seem to be quick and effective (probably a slightly different tangent here I guess or maybe not).
Taylor Harris has stated a number of times along the lines of "I'm just happy to be on the field and do what's asked of me as best I can".

It's going to be a shame to lose someone like Daisy from our club too I think. She definitely seems to be part of that bond between them all.

I reflected on the punch on in a french restaurant last year. Maybe there's an extra level of competitveness and sledging that's (generally speaking) just part of male culture?

Maybe some demonlanders closer to the teams can give some more insight.

If you're not watching the girls play yet, you really should. They're a team this club should be really proud of.

[DistrACTION Jackson 9,246]

10 minutes ago, Brownie said:

I'm really enjoying watching our women's team. Not only in the way they play but the culture they seem to have created. 
Not only do they seem really tight together but they also seem to really be enjoying their football and being part of our club.

Back on the field for the start of the third quarter, only 2 points up in a qualifying final and they're in a huddle and having a huge laugh together!
Two minutes later, they're back into it in a ferocious manner and smashing the reigning premiers.

It made me reflect on what seems to be a different culture between the men and the women.
Would the blokes get away with having a laugh on the field like that?
Would the media make a big storm out of it?
I know the blokes are under much more scrutiny, but footy must be a grind at times and this team seems to be really enjoying what they do. This must help build a team first culture.
Is there a couple of leaves that could be taken out of the women's team book by the men's team?

Mick Stinear and his team seem to have done a great job at building culture and even adjusting game plans from last seasons grand final defeat to how they play now. It's all happened very quickly and even the changes made throughout games seem to be quick and effective (probably a slightly different tangent here I guess or maybe not).
Taylor Harris has stated a number of times along the lines of "I'm just happy to be on the field and do what's asked of me as best I can".

It's going to be a shame to lose someone like Daisy from our club too I think. She definitely seems to be part of that bond between them all.

I reflected on the punch on in a french restaurant last year. Maybe there's an extra level of competitveness and sledging that's (generally speaking) just part of male culture?

Maybe some demonlanders closer to the teams can give some more insight.

If you're not watching the girls play yet, you really should. They're a team this club should be really proud of.

I think our men's team culture is just as good as the women's.

Gawn is an outstanding captain and the players look to really get around each other.

I know there was the May/Melksham incident this year, but other than that I think our culture is one of the best in the AFL. Just because we had a bad finals series doesn't change this fact.

I'm also loving watching our girls as well btw and they are easily the most skilled side in the women's comp.

[Dee Viney Intervention 1,963]

Great post!!!! While I think the bond between players and coaches in the mens team is good  the brand that our women play is a hell of a lot more watchable than that of our men. I do understand with 2 less players on the field does leave more space but it is our intent to attack that I love. Our Mens team is far too conservative in many regards. And yes I am aware that our men won a premiership in 2021 but I strongly believe that our women will in 2022. 

[BDA 22,891]

The women are more daring than the men for sure. I love the boys, not having a pop, just stating a fact.

Doesn't always come off for the women but bloody good to watch

[Timothy Reddan-A'Blew 5,307]

I'm pretty sure the 'being able to laugh' culture was a specific outcome of the men's 2021 culture reboot, has been positively noted by players at various times since, and has been evident in huddles when close-up'd on broadcasts. I stand to be corrected; equally I'd appreciate it if someone out there could track down some specific evidence - interviews, footage, etc.

I do agree wholeheartedly with the OP's and the others' observations and sentiments on the women' s team and its supporting staff, noting that where the girls are at in a pre-premiership trajectory has the vibe, for them and us, of the 2021 boys. Let's hope, then, that we have the opportunity to look at them in 'AFLW8', as the 2022 boys, as Premiers!

[Guest]

The girls play an exciting brand of footy. It’s a joy to watch. They’re daring and fearless and as @BDAstated they may not always pull it off, but when they do - which is more often than not - it’s bloody exhilarating.

An example was when Banno was taking a set shot and decided to run around the man on the mark. Not gonna lie, we were all worried for that split second that she’d come to grief. But she pulled it off and it was so worth that momentary angst. 😊

It’s amazing what confidence can do!

edit: just realised I said “man” on the mark. When watching the cricket I also still call female batsmen exactly that… “batsmen.” I hope nobody’s offended but it’s force of habit. 
#GettingTooOldToChangeNow 😆

Edited November 9, 2022 by WalkingCivilWar

[Little Goffy 14,645]

Our women's team seems to be always on the cusp of being absolutely unstoppable and having a great time while doing it.

A breakthrough premiership could really be the first of many.

I also think Alyssa Bannan is in the same 'moment' as an individual player; she is right on the edge of being the outright superstar of the women's game and also making everything around her feel more fun.

Ugh, the anticipation is killing me. Damn I want that deeply deserved premiership.

[rpfc 28,779]

After the flag, the footy world endured speech after speech from Roffey and Gawn about how good our culture is and blah, blah, blah. It’s no better than the best clubs. That’s what you aim for. It can deteriorate quickly when you seperate yourself from others as ‘special’. The women are great because they are a good team, they have great leaders who are respectful to the (very) different personalities they have below them, and their game plan is based around contested footy as a prerequisite for playing - which is the genesis for respect in footy.

The boys can get back to that in 2023 if the leaders focus on it.

Edited November 9, 2022 by rpfc

[BigBadBustling 403]

I reckon Cyndi Lauper was onto something!

They're having a fantastic time, and working their butts off at the same time. Couldn't ask for more. It' been great watching them this season, they're playing a very exciting brand of footy.

[rpfc 28,779]

Too bad they can’t get more than 2,500 to rock up for a final hey 

[poita 3,902]

Our AFLW list and player management has been phenomenal.

It is only 3 years or so ago that we had Daisy & Paxy carrying this team, with Hickey & O'Dea on marquee contracts and doing very little. There really wasn't a lot of talent coming through, although players such as Lampard and Heath have really stepped up.

Since then we have added serious talent every year, whilst other teams have been losing top players to the expansion sides. Our drafting has been superb, we've nabbed elite players from other sides and found a few diamonds in the rough as well.

The coaching and development staff have been excellent, and it is clearly a great environment to be part of. I think this group realises that they can achieve something very special if they stay together and stay focused. 

 

 

 

[Guest]

1 hour ago, rpfc said:

Too bad they can’t get more than 2,500 to rock up for a final hey 

Those who can go but choose not to are the ones who are missing out… big time. 

[Katrina Dee Fan 3,906]

This is one of the reasons why I love watching this team play, it exemplifies the very point of the OP.  These girls are great to watch, they're unified as a team, they love spending time with each other, their fans, they are loved and supported by each other and their supporters.  

 

[Demon Disciple 12,274]

Goody needs to get into Mick's ear and teach him the way of perpetually kicking to the left on kickouts, followed by long bombs to the pocket.

[demon3165 2,805]

53 minutes ago, Demon Disciple said:

Goody needs to get into Mick's ear and teach him the way of perpetually kicking to the left on kickouts, followed by long bombs to the pocket.

Or Mick could teach Goody how to transfer the ball around the ground, between the two a match made in heaven.....

[Its Time for Another 4,292]

7 hours ago, Brownie said:

It made me reflect on what seems to be a different culture between the men and the women.
Would the blokes get away with having a laugh on the field like that?
Would the media make a big storm out of it?

Believe it or not here's actually science behind this. I worked with a cognitive scientist a few years ago who has worked with some of the top sporting teams in the US. He got them to implement telling jokes before going out to play. He explained that when we laugh we release endorphins which can help to relieve pain and trigger feelings of pleasure. It is also a very effective way of calming nervous players down just before they play and counteracts negative thoughts and fears. 

The Tigers got on to this a few years ago and you could see them coming out of huddles laughing. They actually specified players each week that had to have a joke to tell in the huddle. 

I don't know if that's the basis for the girls doing it but it probably is. 

I'm in awe at the massive leap in their standard of play even from season 6 to 7. 

[BDA 22,891]

Just now, Its Time for Another said:

Believe it or not here's actually science behind this. I worked with a cognitive scientist a few years ago who has worked with some of the top sporting teams in the US. He got them to implement telling jokes before going out to play. He explained that when we laugh we release endorphins which can help to relieve pain and trigger feelings of pleasure. It is also a very effective way of calming nervous players down just before they play and counteracts negative thoughts and fears. 

The Tigers got on to this a few years ago and you could see them coming out of huddles laughing. They actually specified players each week that had to have a joke to tell in the huddle. 

I don't know if that's the basis for the girls doing it but it probably is. 

I'm in awe at the massive leap in their standard of play even from season 6 to 7. 

Can you imagine the uproar on DL if the men lose a game after the players were seen laughing and joking!

[Demon Disciple 12,274]

1 hour ago, BDA said:

Can you imagine the uproar on DL if the men lose a game after the players were seen laughing and joking!

To be fair, the girls haven’t lost a game for a while

[Deeoldfart 8,065]

I’m  loving this thread.  Keep it going folks! 

[KingDingAling 3,758]

13 hours ago, Brownie said:

I'm really enjoying watching our women's team. Not only in the way they play but the culture they seem to have created. 
Not only do they seem really tight together but they also seem to really be enjoying their football and being part of our club.

Back on the field for the start of the third quarter, only 2 points up in a qualifying final and they're in a huddle and having a huge laugh together!
Two minutes later, they're back into it in a ferocious manner and smashing the reigning premiers.

It made me reflect on what seems to be a different culture between the men and the women.
Would the blokes get away with having a laugh on the field like that?
Would the media make a big storm out of it?
I know the blokes are under much more scrutiny, but footy must be a grind at times and this team seems to be really enjoying what they do. This must help build a team first culture.
Is there a couple of leaves that could be taken out of the women's team book by the men's team?

Mick Stinear and his team seem to have done a great job at building culture and even adjusting game plans from last seasons grand final defeat to how they play now. It's all happened very quickly and even the changes made throughout games seem to be quick and effective (probably a slightly different tangent here I guess or maybe not).
Taylor Harris has stated a number of times along the lines of "I'm just happy to be on the field and do what's asked of me as best I can".

It's going to be a shame to lose someone like Daisy from our club too I think. She definitely seems to be part of that bond between them all.

I reflected on the punch on in a french restaurant last year. Maybe there's an extra level of competitveness and sledging that's (generally speaking) just part of male culture?

Maybe some demonlanders closer to the teams can give some more insight.

If you're not watching the girls play yet, you really should. They're a team this club should be really proud of.

The AFL Is a serious league. Its a weakness to be seen to laugh and joke. When you’re playing for sheep stations anything less than serious is seen as a flaw. What the women do in their league is obviously very different, it’s the AFLW is merely a token league. 

[daisycutter 29,743]

 

[rjay 25,093]

8 hours ago, KingDingAling said:

The AFL Is a serious league. Its a weakness to be seen to laugh and joke. When you’re playing for sheep stations anything less than serious is seen as a flaw. What the women do in their league is obviously very different, it’s the AFLW is merely a token league. 

I certainly hope you are not being serious with this comment?

The women take their game very seriously & give it 100%, there is no difference in effort & commitment between the 2 competitions.

To call the AFLW a token league is insulting.

[Timothy Reddan-A'Blew 5,307]

16 hours ago, Katrina Dee Fan said:

This is one of the reasons why I love watching this team play, it exemplifies the very point of the OP.  These girls are great to watch, they're unified as a team, they love spending time with each other, their fans, they are loved and supported by each other and their supporters.  

 

Great to watch wasn't it, KDF! However - and I'm probably overthinking it - it was surprising to hear that after all the calls from the girls about their teammates games, it took the coach to postscript them with comment on Tayla Harris's outstanding rucking game.

[Palace Dees 2,340]

9 hours ago, KingDingAling said:

The AFL Is a serious league. Its a weakness to be seen to laugh and joke. When you’re playing for sheep stations anything less than serious is seen as a flaw. What the women do in their league is obviously very different, it’s the AFLW is merely a token league. 

Such an appropriate user name.

[Katrina Dee Fan 3,906]

9 hours ago, KingDingAling said:

The AFL Is a serious league. Its a weakness to be seen to laugh and joke. When you’re playing for sheep stations anything less than serious is seen as a flaw. What the women do in their league is obviously very different, it’s the AFLW is merely a token league. 

Okay Kevin.