The biggest myth in AFL football

[Old Man Rivers 326]

agree 100%. I also reckon Archer is a has been, and milks the shinboner spirit for all it is worth. I know he baths orphans in Africa or whatever he does, but the accolades he gets far out weigh the deeds. It was great to see him get carved up on Sun. He is not in Hirds stratosphere.

Shinboner spirit pppffffffff!

Archer's accolades far out weigh his deeds

Possibly one of the stupedist comments ever written in this forum

Both Hird & Archer have been superstars, the Dee's would of been blessed to have either over the last dacade.

Lets hope Bailey unearths or develops an Archer clone in Red & Blue very soon.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

The Kangaroos have been the most overated team of the season.

Sure they looked good against the bottom sides...and thats where I think the media and their supporters got sucked in. Once they played the top sides, they were useless.

An ordinary club with an ordinary list

They have finished Top 4 this year. They won 14 and 8 after starting the season 0 and 3. Beaten Sydney in Sydney, Freo at Subi and Geelong and the Cattery?

How many punters picked that? Most I have seen had them bottom 2 or 3?

Its amazing how the suppporters of a marshmallow underperforming Club cast them aside. There is much we could learn from the Kangas.

And their fans have the nerve to call us irrelevent.

Irrelevant - Most definitely

Or were you saying irreverent?

I don't know about "Shinboner Spirit" but I do know that over the last few years the Kangas have consistently outperformed on (my) expectations. Yes, they've got a terrible finals record, but I had them finishing bottom 2 this year after they lost Thompson and Wells. Surely a seasons achievements count for something.

I think they have terrific leadership at their club. Simpson and Archer particularly lead them well and pass down to the younger players an expectation of success. I often wonder what sort of player Yze would have been if he'd played for the Kanga's.

When you couple the Kanga's list with the shoestring budget and terrible facilities their achievements are fantastic.

Shinboner spirit? I don't care what you call it, but they have something.

Absolutely right Tim. Media aside. What the Kangas have achieved on their shoe string budget especially consdiering the Hay debacle it is worthy of merit.

And Glenn Archer is up there with the best. Talk about unnecessary sour grapes.

[Gouga 570]

Ash,

You talk like the 'shinboner spirit' is something that has developed over the last few years. North Melbourne is a team that has had to battle since day one. It has never had money, it was bankrupt a couple years after joining the VFL. It has always had poor facilities and little support. Yet despite this the club has been succesful. It has won four premierships, more than Fremantle, Port Adelaide, St.Kilda and the Western Bulldogs combined (like that?).

North Melbourne is still here today when lessor clubs would not be. The 'shinboner spirit' is not something that has developed since 2000, it has developed over a long time. It is a tag the club deserves to wear.

Their performance this year is a perfect example. If we lost our best player on the eve of the season there would be no end of complaints and excuses coming from the likes of this forum. However the Kangaroos went about their business and achieved more than anyone would have expected. I look at the talent on our list and wish that some of our players had the application of the likes of Archer etc.

Yes they were smashed on the weekend, but Geelong is a very very good side. How much would have Essendon or Melbourne lost by on the weekend?

[Real Demon 232]

I don't have any problem with it......in fact I actually like the fact that they have something as a club or playing group that they believe in that binds them together.

It may be no different to the attitudes or cultures at other clubs, but it's unique, they have a name for it, and it works for them. The shinboner spirit and the extra verse they have at the start of their song is unique to the Roos and good on them for embracing it!

I can imagine it would have a big impact on young players coming into the group as well and helps them to identifity with what club is about and what the expectations are.

Their finals losses of late have been ordinary, but then again it has been their spirit more than talent that got them into the top 4 this year anyway.

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,939]

They have finished Top 4 this year. They won 14 and 8 after starting the season 0 and 3. Beaten Sydney in Sydney, Freo at Subi and Geelong and the Cattery?

How many punters picked that? Most I have seen had them bottom 2 or 3?

Its amazing how the suppporters of a marshmallow underperforming Club cast them aside. There is much we could learn from the Kangas.

Irrelevant - Most definitely

Or were you saying irreverent?

Rhino, I think the Roos get way too much credit for their own good. Its as if sympathisers view them as a suburban footy club making good in the AFL.

Rubbish! Their one of 16 AFL clubs, there is nothing very special about this club.

OK, they made the finals this year. Fantastic. 50% of clubs make the finals these days. They enjoyed a soft draw in the middle of the year, and easily accounted for bottom teams. But then come rounds 18-20, they lose to Brisbane (GABBA), West Coast and Geelong. Talk about failing the ultimate tests.

As for their finals record, they've been a disgrace since 2000. They haven't won a final since 2000. Hell even Richmond have won a final since then. The media blowtorch should be shined well and truly on this club if they exit in straight sets this weekend against Hawthorn.

Kangaroos are just an average club that enjoyed a dream run with injuries. That is all.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Rhino, I think the Roos get way too much credit for their own good. Its as if sympathisers view them as a suburban footy club making good in the AFL.

Rubbish! Their one of 16 AFL clubs, there is nothing very special about this club.

OK, they made the finals this year. Fantastic. 50% of clubs make the finals these days. They enjoyed a soft draw in the middle of the year, and easily accounted for bottom teams. But then come rounds 18-20, they lose to Brisbane (GABBA), West Coast and Geelong. Talk about failing the ultimate tests.

As for their finals record, they've been a disgrace since 2000. They haven't won a final since 2000. Hell even Richmond have won a final since then. The media blowtorch should be shined well and truly on this club if they exit in straight sets this weekend against Hawthorn.

Kangaroos are just an average club that enjoyed a dream run with injuries. That is all.

Your issue is with the media not with the Club.

Recognise the Club for its achievements off its low base.

You are sounding like the media charlatans you heep with criticism.

[Ash35 425]

As I stated in my original post, I don't really have an issue with the Kangaroos Football Club.

Yes, they have done well to finish top 4 this year... yadda yadda yadda

My main problem was with guys like Andrew Maher, Kevin Bartlett and many others in the media that claim every time the Kangaroos have a win that is even remotely fighting or against the odds, that the Shineboner Spirit shone through and helped get them over the line. I know some Kangaroos supporters that agree with me and hate the Shineboner Spirit concept. So my main beef is with the morons in the media that promote this mythical force.

As Bring-Back-Powell says, they are just another club, who has good wins and bad losses like every other team in the AFL. But the Roos seem to get to have their cake, and to eat it too. I don't think you can have it both ways. Don't claim they have some extra special bond or fighting spirit when they win, cos when they lose a game they should win, or get thrashed, it makes a mockery of the whole thing.

[Gouga 570]

Ash,

'Shinboner spirit' is just an identity thing that the media runs with. It is a title that the Kangaroos have earned. It does not mean they don't deserve it because they lose a few finals.

The 'Baby Bombers' of '93 have all grown up, but the media has never dropped that one either.

[Guest fatty]

But the Roos seem to get to have their cake, and to eat it too. I don't think you can have it both ways. Don't claim they have some extra special bond or fighting spirit when they win, cos when they lose a game they should win, or get thrashed, it makes a mockery of the whole thing.

FCS Ash, let it go.

Does anyone really think when someone says “I’d like to thank God” on the victory podium that God was really helping him?

What does God have against the others?

“Shinboner” is just a catchphrase.

The conversation is retarded.

[mo64 5,881]

Any comments to make Ash?

Shinboner spirit is alive and well...........

[pantaloons 2,019]

I was interested in a stat that Steve Quartermain pulled out tonight, that the Kangas' 106 point loss last week was the fifth largest in finals history. Coupled with the 125 point loss to Essendon in the 2000 QF and the 118 point slapping we gave them in 1987, that gives them three 100+ point losses in the last 20 years, and three of the worst five finals performances.

Having said that, I find that more a remarkable anomaly. I do think that generally the Kangaroos have shown an ability to pull results out of their backsides when stacked against the odds. I find their list to be ranging from extremely ordinary to putrid and yet they have made the top 4 this season. Admittedly, never in my lifetime have I seen seven teams make the finals who would be so thoroughly unworthy of the premiership as there have been this year, but it's still a fine effort. Excuses are not tolerated at Arden Street.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Congratulations Kangas on the win last night. Defintely showed plenty of media labelled spirit!!!

[Jarka 767]

Any comments to make Ash?

Shinboner spirit is alive and well...........

Why is it alive and if so where did it disappear to last week?

[Nasher 33,617]

Last night had little to do with shinboner spirit and everything to do with the fact that a) they played better footy because B) they were fresh from their non-performance against Geelong and c) the Hawks purely and utterly ran out of legs in the last quarter. It was there for all to see, see Birchall's effort out on the wing? The guy couldn't move.

[mo64 5,881]

Why is it alive and if so where did it disappear to last week?

It goes beyond individual results. Even Malcolm Blight mentioned the shinboner spirit last night, and when on to say that they are a club that's had nothing (referring to finances), and been given nothing, yet always seemed to get themselves up every year. And i'd suggest that he's far more qualified to comment on the intangible shinboner spirit than the likes of yourself.

[mauriesy 7,357]

Last night had little to do with shinboner spirit and everything to do with the fact that a) they played better footy because B) they were fresh from their non-performance against Geelong and c) the Hawks purely and utterly ran out of legs in the last quarter.

And the fact that Hawthorn went back to their retarded tactic of playing the man (Harvey) instead of focusing on the ball. The finals atmosphere sucked them in to that.

[Jarka 767]

It goes beyond individual results. Even Malcolm Blight mentioned the shinboner spirit last night, and when on to say that they are a club that's had nothing (referring to finances), and been given nothing, yet always seemed to get themselves up every year. And i'd suggest that he's far more qualified to comment on the intangible shinboner spirit than the likes of yourself.

What complete nonsense.

Reread the first post in the thread, you've just proved Ash correct by pointing out someone in the media pumping up the myth. Interesting though that you failed to answer my questions - What happened to the shinboner spirit last week? Did it have a holiday?

[Slartibartfast 17,625]

What complete nonsense.

Reread the first post in the thread, you've just proved Ash correct by pointing out someone in the media pumping up the myth. Interesting though that you failed to answer my questions - What happened to the shinboner spirit last week? Did it have a holiday?

Perhaps they were trounced by a far better team and no amount of "spirit" could overcome it.

[Jarka 767]

Perhaps they were trounced by a far better team and no amount of "spirit" could overcome it.

Let's say two players are drafted from the same U/18's team, one gets picked up by the Kangaroos, the other goes to Melbourne. The deluded amongst us would have us believe that as soon as the new Kangaroos players enters the worn out premises of Arden Street then they are suddenly enhanced with the 'magical' powers of the Shinboner Spirit, passed on through the ages by past and present Kangaroos players while the new Melbourne lad will inherit the main bedroom at the lodge in Falls creek.....blah blah blah.

What a crock of [censored]. In reality the simple difference between some teams is the leadership of their senior players, right now the Roos have some very fine senior leaders, but it has nothing to do with any shinboner spirit nonsense. Melbourne on the other hand have very few leaders, and it's the reason why we've failed dismally recently when it's counted most.

[ickey_11 145]

The Roos won last night because Hawthorn's midfield is crap. With Hodge playing with a dicky knee, they are relying on Sewell and some slow and / or past it guys.

Same with Collingwood, their midfield is ordinary as well, and it is no coincidence that the teams that finished the home and away season 1,2 ,3 have the best midfields.

[beelzebub 23,383]

Ive always interpreted the Shinboner Spirit to simply mean..they never give up. They are like a rotten little terrier that will continue coming back to annoy you. They dont give up. I would say for the most part its quite true. North are one team you can never relax against. You may have beaten them for them most of the game, you notch back a gear.... and youre going to get beaten.

Id say the original posting is no more and no less their interpretation on this and possibly last night shows that its not all cut and dried as some would think

[Oxxx 0]

LMAO mo, you just proved Ash's post to be spot on.

The thing about the Shinboner spirit is that nobody rates the Kangas even when they are winning games, so every win that they get is against the odds.

[beelzebub 23,383]

The other aspect to this..is. Whether its real in a 'real ' sense is irrelevant as it certainly seems to work for the Kangas in a 'mythical ' sense. Its an intangible. Its something they hang their jumpers on and draw upon. The kangas know that they will be judges as to having meet this criteria or not. its almost like a 'conscience'. Wish we had something similar.

[Slartibartfast 17,625]

The Roos won last night because Hawthorn's midfield is crap.

Hodge, Sewell, Lewis, Mitchell and Crawford. Hmmm. If their's is crap, what is ours?

[Red and Blue Flame 191]

Ours is well below theirs

Junior Jones are the only two midfielders that performed well this year and perhaps Dunn who is being played in an Andrew Embley type role a source from the club tells mel.

Brock- Horro year

Bruce- Ordinary

Dunn- Should've been in the side all year

Johnstone- ordinary..anyone can pick up 40+ possy's against carlton if they're all on the halfback line and uncontested

we need a few more kids coming through the midfield..i'd like to see bell chucked in there a bit next year