Engorged Onion

Hey fellow Dees Devotees, The air is thick with reflections pondering, and aggressive drive bys on the forum dressed up as ‘asking the crucial questions that no one else has the cajoles to do so’. Anyway as we've witnessed our team maintain a consistent top 4 presence but not clinch the premiership. It’s a pivotal moment for our Football Department to reassess, strategically recalibrate, and capitalise on the strengths within our i list. With our list’s flexibilty, we have the opportunity to control the tempo, and as evidenced, we seemed to win in different ways throughout the year, suggesting flexibilty and composure. Not just wrestling it back to our method. Our squad boasts diverse talents allowing for a dynamic shift in roles. I’m interested in our teams adaptability and allowing us to exploit the identified weaknesses in other contenders strategies and setups. Given the strength of our midfield unit, there’s a decisive advantage to be gained in contested situations. By intensifying our focus on mastering contested ball skills, we can disrupt and dismantle opponent play in critical match scenarios. We will have a new coach with new ideas, I am excited about what strategies and analytics are brought in. Our forward line has the potential to elevate and intensify pressure, forcing critical turnovers and allowing us to capitalize on oppositions errors. We didn’t have the cattle at the right time of year - I think people genuinely forget it. With adept intercept markers, a strategic refinement in our defensive structures will help the ball carrying and ball movement out of the back to try to distrupt defensive structures of other teams… By leveraging our squad's fitness levels and endurance, which in my view was beyond most other teams, can we continue to secure a competitive edge and dominate even in the closing minutes of the game. Some thoughts around the trends of the game going forward. is the explosiveness and quick ball movement is fine when you have it, and how do you best counteract it - and where do you try to cut it off - particularly if we tend to have lots of repeat inside 50’s… and that seems problematic with the density of the forward line - sure media pundits keep suggesting we bomb it long - as that is the only strategy - but [censored] it, so does every other club - and when it comes off its a great pack mark (see Cox last night) and that could have easily been dropped and rebounded, and thus interpreted as ‘dumb play’. What strategies are there to employ considering the list that we have. I look forward to some good input over the summer lull.

Well done to Collingwood. They snuck through and took their chances. Seems to be the theme of the season for those teams in contention. The industry is so tight, it could have been Us, or GWS into the GF. Not to be… Game day moments matter - like us, GWS would reflect on a few and rue them. Bringing it back to us, overall though, our best is good enough, and to have been in the top 4 for 3 seasons, is an incredible feat, considering how tight the competition is and small the margins of error.

How is Don Pyke relevant these days? * Sorry if that was abrupt , Is he still in the industry?

I’ll be disengaging, mostly because there is an infinite loop of trying to convince each other that our opinion is the correct opinion, and the other layer of me being sensitive, and you being sensitive to me being sensitive and feeling a need to be a condescending [censored]… 😎❤️

Reread your posts - It’s not asking uncomfortable questions is it? It’s deriding choices made based on assumptions and things that you presumably have no direct knowledge about. Apologies if the previous post was passive aggressive - I’ll be more direct in the future.

What are your terms and conditions for acceptability in those given circumstances. Now unless you were there, and either a player agent, a list manager, or the player themselves, you’re entitled to an opinion no matter how articulate , but actually have no idea about what got things over the line. have Richmond made an unacceptable list management decision with T Lynch, considering there is a similar trajectory? contributed nothing? That’s in the eye of the beholder - if you think that football clubs only operate in a vacumn for 2 hours of game day…

Send in your resume @BaliDemon you seem to have all the answers retrospectively ❤️😎

A fire in the pit of my gut, or the FD’s gut or ‘shaming’ by media pundits or supporters, doesn’t help planning, training and game day outcomes in 2024. we lost 2 finals in 2022 because we were severely depleted by injury. Let’s not forget context and lump it all in together… sure it’s easy to do when you’re disappointed. Happy to be in the minority - just because a majority has a populist view doesn’t mean it’s accurate to the specific circumstance- see Trump. Let’s agree that we are both disappointed in the outcomes, and we see the factors contributing to it, and what it means about the club, and what to do about it - vastly different. 😎🙌🏼

I appreciate it’s different expectations for all clubs. if you win a premiership then the expectation is that you’ll win a few more - ie: Richmond etc. This sounds like your and a few others specific expectation - it’s not mine though. For me, it’s not nuanced enough analysis. I wonder If those hardcore supporters of the Dogs think they have wasted their generational opportunities - but from other supporters perspectives, has it been wasted? Probably not. Charges sticking like mud? Holy moly Man… different lenses I suppose 😎🙌🏼

17 teams are ‘broken’ every year. there is this weird supporters bollocks of the notion of using loses as fuel … it’s just a sense making tool as a post hoc analysis’s about our expectations. anyway lets hope Goodwin decide to review the Collingwood and Carlton matches eh 😆

@Watson11 sport isn’t a place to relax its a place to have stress and discomfort and still execute. id never ask a client to relax. That’s not helpful and if you interpret any of my posts over the years that anyone needs to relax then you are misinterpreting me. The problem Is the NEEd to feel relaxed/comfortable/whatever because as soon as you don’t have it - you chase short term comfort (change in technique) at the expense of what’s useful if you’re relaxed, fan[censored]tastic. If you’re not - have the discomfort and execute anyway. Perfect consistent practice doesn’t exist it doesn’t replicate game day stressors, so yes, look inward, get to know your own stories as to why you tighten up and change your technique and then do some good work in that space. all your examples alude to what goes on, the brain shifts it’s attention from task to fix issues that don’t actually matter in the moment. From an outsiders perspective it looks like technique - ball drop, bent too far over, spinning ball - theyre all versions of something called experiential avoidance. The desire to avoid unwanted internal experiences - thoughts, feelings and physical sensations. that’s the space the psychs and the athlete do their best work in. have the discomfort and kick ‘as you would’ anyway - and then lo and behold - If you kick a goal - you feel good (confidence) and then it comes easier the next time… knowing that your brain won’t ever shut up about how much it hurts when you fail or [censored] up or let team mates down or just in case you may embarrass yourself in front of 4 million people watching on tv with this shot you take 25 metres out on a slight angle that any person should kick, but the context of the game means it’s reaaaaaaaaaallllly important - that’s the pressure stuff right there.

They have a sports psych Steve Rendell who has been in the industry for years. All good there. Things have moved on significantly since Bills time.

Apologies I’m a 🤓

It really is a simple as this. if a player can kick the goal in training, then it means they have the biomechanical and technique means to do so in the game (taking out environmental factors such as wind and rain). the only thing that changes in game day setting is ‘meaning’ and context about the person that of what does it mean if they fail to kick it. If it is evaluated as a threat, then the brain will ‘change’ the biomechanical and technique responses ‘on the fly’/during the action to have the athlete remain ‘safe’. In sports, understanding "meaning" and "context" is pivotal. Athletes excel during training, mastering their biomechanics and techniques for goal kicks. However, on game day, the dynamics shift. Increased pressure and the significance of the moment can alter an athlete's focus. Embracing their emotions rather than resisting them, athletes can stay present and committed to their values and goals, reducing external pressures. This approach enables them to maintain their skills, even when faced with an uncomfortable kick. Often, it is the uncomfortable kicking action in these moments, that is the ‘correct’ kick.

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That doesn't fit in with the short sighted narrative that you need to be ruthless to win matches/premierships!

Ooof! Even Rivers?

A general comment reading this entire thread. My take at least is that I felt we did show backbone throughout the season, consistently. Goodwin and co had to go back to the well numerous times to reinvent the forwardline due to injuries. Outcomes are not a measure effort, or 'backbone' - but we are indoctrinated into a belief that those that work the hardest get the rewards. And outcomes are never guaranteed, doesnt mean its not painful though In today's world of click-bait headlines and sound-byte journalism, our society, more than ever, thrives on the binary. It's a win-or-lose mentality, and nowhere is this more evident than in the world of AFL media. Too often, the media, in its pursuit for engagement, adopts an exceedingly simplistic approach to analyzing the complex dynamics of the game. A team's performance on any given day is boiled down to mere outcomes – victory or defeat, heroics or blunders. The multifaceted nature of preparation, team dynamics, strategy, individual performances, and sheer unpredictability of the game often get lost in this binary view. If a team wins, every decision leading up to that moment was right; if they lose, every choice was wrong. Players are lauded as invincible heroes one week, only to be derided athe next. There's little room for nuance. Equating outcomes directly with success or failure is a dangerous misstep. I'll contrast it with parenting.. (not sure why, but it makes sense to me) Imagine for a moment if parents adopted the same black-and-white thinking with their children as the AFL media does with the Dees (or whoever) If a child came home with a failed math test, would a supportive parent label them a failure outright? Or would they try to understand what went wrong, provide guidance, and encourage effort and improvement? They face challenges, setbacks, and triumphs. A parent knows that defining a child's worth or potential based on one test or one moment is not only unfair but damaging. They understand that resilience, effort, perseverance, and learning 😀 are more critical indicators of long-term success than any single outcome. Of course this approach 'doesnt sell papers'. As a society, we'd never tolerate such behavior towards children (humans???), so I'd invite you to take a step back when reading things that are not nuanced and are black and white. If you are feeling inflamed by Campbell (or whomever, at any given point in time) - just remember. You are the product.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/sep/19/pastor-postecoglou-shows-importance-of-journey-even-if-you-never-reach-heaven I think there is something for all of us in here... the parallels are universal.

Here are some general comments for the OP. @Mel Bourne ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) Perspective: Cognitive Fusion: Players might become entangled with negative thoughts during the game such as, "I can't afford to miss this" or "Everyone is watching me." This is in contrast to the warm-up where there's little to no pressure, and they might be more focused on the act of kicking itself. Present Moment: During the warm-up, players are generally more present and connected to the current action without distraction. In contrast, during a match, they might be thinking about the past or future plays, scores, or other pressures, pulling them away from the present moment. Values and Committed Action: The pressure of the game can cause a disconnection from personal values related to teamwork, enjoyment, or skill mastery. Instead, there is a large probability of focus on the outcome, leading to performance anxiety, which alters the biomechanics of the kick. So when BT says its a kicking problem - that's just the outcome..but he is not a psychologist of course. How the [censored] are you meant to be relaxed kicking for goal in front of 90'000 people - irrespective of how much you get paid for it. Biomechanical Perspective: Fatigue: physical fatigue in game time repeated sprints etc affect the biomechanics of the kick. Environment: Wind, field conditions, and even the pressure and conditions of the ball can change Technique under Pressure: The added pressure during a game can subtly alter a player's technique. Just trying to 'guuuuuiiiide' the ball through.. often results in a swing/drfit away at the end... Neurobiological Perspective: Stress Response: The brain's response to stress (releasing cortisol) can affect both cognitive functions and motor skills. In high-pressure situations, the amygdala becomes more active, which can lead to a fight, flight, or freeze response. This affects decision-making and motor execution. Focus and Attention: The prefrontal cortex, responsible for focus and executive functions, might be overwhelmed during the game with strategies, opponent behaviors, crowd noises, and personal performance anxieties. This contrasts with the more singular focus during warm-ups. Muscle Memory and Automaticity: During warm-ups, actions might be more automatic and ingrained, leveraging the basal ganglia's role in routine and practiced behaviors. However, during the game, the heightened awareness and stress processes can shift control away from these automatic processes, making the action feel less natural. Signing off as Dr E.O. 🤣

Oh jesus... They're individual incidents that are not a reflection the game plan, ethos or style of the team as whole.

That’s a disgrace - he’s at least 20% worse in finals. Clearly can’t coach when it counts.. Roos gifted him this team and it’s generational and he is so boring and rigid and plays favourites 😍

It's understandable to yearn for the aggressive and intimidating qualities of previous teams, especially in contact sports like Aussie Rules football, where the physical nature is indeed a component of the game. However, aggression can provide a competitive edge, but there's a distinction to be made between functional aggression, which is channeled to enhance performance, and dysfunctional aggression, which might lead to penalties, suspensions, and undermine team cohesion. High-performing athletes often possess superior emotional regulation skills. Reacting aggressively or seeking revenge after a teammate is injured might feel right in the moment, but it can jeopardize the overarching game strategy. Staying focused on the end goal rather than immediate retaliation is crucial. Furthermore, a successful team often prioritizes a culture of respect, both internally and externally. Helping an opponent off the ground isn't necessarily indicative of weakness; it can be a reflection of a broader culture of sportsmanship. Such actions can foster a positive team environment, underpinning mutual respect and collaboration. A sense of unity, camaraderie, and mutual trust, often referred to as team cohesion, plays a significant role in sports success. A team culture rooted in mutual respect and understanding can be more conducive to promoting such cohesion than a purely aggressive one. The realm of modern coaching also provides insight. There's been a shift from dictatorial styles to more transformational approaches, which emphasize player well-being, psychological safety, and holistic development. Empathy, understanding, and clear communication have now become central to effective coaching. From a long-term perspective, while intimidating tactics might reap short-term benefits, they might lead to long-term challenges, like increased injury rates or mental health issues. By focusing on player well-being and fostering sustainable development, teams can ensure that athletes remain in peak condition, both mentally and physically, throughout their careers. And... while iconic players like Voss, Hodge, and Scarlett are often cited as paragons of toughness, elite sport is filled with examples of top athletes who've demonstrated sportsmanship alongside their competitiveness.

Isn't innovation a curious thing? I've just caught wind of a shiny new thread where fans can give their unfiltered opinions on player performance. A platform for fans to share insights? I bet you've never seen anything like it, especially not every week, during every game, and every hour on Demonland.🫠 Sorry @buck_nekkid, I'm in a foul mood. Good on you for starting the thread.

He was probably only 1 or 2 more losses away for that. It genuinely is a game of fine fine margins. Careers are built and lost on it, both players and coaching staff.