billyblanks32

1 hour ago, Swooper1987 said:

Earlier in the  week I spoke with someone in an incidental work conversation who had been working for an AFL club coaching panel pre covid.  He has subsequently been stood down.  I don't really know him at all but he noticed that I'm a Demon fan from a top I was wearing in our online meet. He was trying to sell me stuff so he was obviously looking for an "in". We had a bit of footy chit chat and he asked me about my thoughts on the Demons.  Then I asked his. He said Gawn is the best ruckman in the comp, and quite possibly the best player, but he plays with "peanuts". He said if Gawn went to a side like Geelong they'd be unbeatable.  In his view our midfield fall into one or more of the following categories: double grabbers (fumblers); poor skills; poor decision makers.  He said every one of them had at least one of those issues and some had more.  He said Gawn gives his midfield first look way more than any other ruck in the competition but the midfield either fumble it, butcher it or pass it on to somebody in a worse position almost all of the time.

I asked him about Petracca and he pointed out a very small sample size to go on to quantify his improvement, but that he appeared to have made himself a better player by working harder on both fitness and decision making i.e clearing the immediate area with possession distance. He said the way to beat Melbourne is basically concede the tap, understand where Gawn is dropping it and wait for the midfield to either fumble or turn it over.  Down the line, add numbers to any contest with Gawn to neutralize his aerial impact and know that when the ball hits the deck the opposition is much better than 50-50 to scoot away with it.  He said neither Gold Coast or Hawthorn covered Gawn properly when he dropped back and that's why we looked so good. Brisbane did and while Gawn had solid numbers, his actual game influence was nullified. He reckons every team playing Melbourne spends at least half their prep time on Gawn.

I watched last night with this conversation in mind and it played out pretty much as above.  Even Hinkley and Wines post match saying how much time they put into Gawn. He didn't offer any solutions, just pointed out the issues, which unfortunately seem to compound.

Some good points and truth in that. Our biggest strength (Gawn) is also our biggest weakness. Teams just focus on your 1 wood, remove its power and we're ordinary.

Id prefer to see Jackson take centre square bounces. He won't win many, but can add as a 2nd midfielder in there.

OR, why not Gawn AND Jackson in the centre square. Jackson at 200cm can cleanly take Gawns taps ABOVE oppo midfielders, and get hands away to a player outside. Where's the creativity Goodwin?

Teague is a prototype good modern coach. Doesn't over coach structure/method. Encourages players to take the game on, play their natural instincts & style.

How much better are we with just Bennell in the side? He adds that skill and polish we desperately lack.

Get rid of BOTH Brayshaw & Oliver. Still have Viney, Harmes, Petracca, Sparrow in the middle.

We need skillful & pacy mids who can kick.

45 minutes ago, Leoncelli_36 said:

fwwwaark, I have read some shocking posts in my time, but this takes the cake. The time and effort that went into it too. I hope there is a degree of satire involved. 

I'm legit dead serious. But thanks for the lol.

What importance does a song have? It’s just a meaningless song right?

 

I don’t agree. I believe words have power. Words seep into our subconscious brains, like seeds that sprout over time. Words sung or said with emotion attached to them are even more powerful. The power to create reality. The power to create a future. 

 

Example - You were told by someone you’re stupid, not smart at a young age. This becomes your self talk when you make a mistake - “I’m stupid, I’m not smart, I suck”. You go on to achieve poor results in school & university. Unless, unless you say no, I am smart, I am capable and I will prove it. You go on to prove them all wrong. It all started with the words, the self talk, they get into the subconscious and influence your choices in everything. 

 

Let’s take a look at the songs of the a few top teams:

 

Port Adelaide - 

 

“We've got the Power to win

Power to rule

Come on, Port Adelaide aggression

We are the Power from Port

It's more than a sport

It's true Port Adelaide tradition

We'll never stop, stop, stop

Til we're top, top, top”

 

Look at Port, top of the ladder right now. They play hard and with aggression.

 

Richmond - 

 

“In any weather you will see us with a grin

Risking head and shin

If we're behind then never mind

We'll fight and fight and win

For we're from Tigerland”

 

Does this not describe Richmond’s playing style? They’re never out of it. They grin a lot and they go in hard.

 

West Coast

 We're the Eagles...the West Coast Eagles

And we’re here to show you why

We’re the big birds

Kings of the big game

We're the Eagles, we’re flying high 

We stick together, through thick and thin,

We grow as champions from within,

Our club knows, it's more than winning

It's West Coast magic, and it's just beginning

 

Pretty much sums them up, right?

 

Melbourne - 

 

It’s a grand old flag

It’s a high flying flag

It’s the emblem for me and for you

It’s the emblem of the team we love

The team of the red and the blue

Ev'ry heart beats true

For the red and the blue

And we sing this song to you

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

Keep your eye on the red and the blue!

 

NOTHING ABOUT WINNING, NOTHING ABOUT AGGRESSION, NOTHING ABOUT TENACITY & SUCCESS. Pathetic!

 

It reinforces that A) It’s a [censored] old flag alright & always will be - 1954

B) A team we love, but love doesn’t win games. It hurts your heart. 

C) Yes they have some heart, but no brains.

 

Why do you think this club is mediocre for so long? Look at the words they use to celebrate success! We must change the song. The words need to be re-written. Let's get a petition going. 

 

At the very least, replace “It’s a grand old flag” with “It’s a brand new flag”