Engorged Onion

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.

I think there is a meme out there that pertains to: Tell me you don’t know something… etc etc There is credible evidence in every season that Goodwin has flexibility, makes hard decisions etc. ps: what part of the game plan that has had us in the top 4 for 60 odd rounds consecutively would you choose to change? **feeling quite terse. It’s not an overarching game plan problem, it’s a finishing problem.

7.45pm methinks

Not that I’m superstitions, but has anyone else noticed ,I think the 3 times that Kozzie has kicked the first goal of matches*, we’ve gone on to lose… perhaps this should be in the ‘breaking embarrassing records thread’ *could just be confirmation bias

1000% this. We're just making up numbers... The "Is Goodwin the right guy" thread can then be reinstated for some good quality chat.

Yeah, but a) it will be great debate next year when we are top 4 again and the heightened anxiety around can we be the first to go out 3x straight sets - I mean "how embarrassment!" b) The thread of When will Melbourne break these Embarrassing Records, will get another notch.

Whats the general consensus on how the midfield would go if we didn't have Gawn (or Grundy) 'dominating' hitouts... would we win more clearances, due to an ability to shark the opponents hitouts?

Bandi, my old mate - what do you think the selection logic is? Serious Question.

IF HE DOESN'T DO A PUBLIC APOLOGY - DELIST HIM! 😈

Mmmm, you don't think both parties came to an arrangement 6 weeks ago (if not longer)... they're not NOT discussing with him, nor are the 'signaling' to him.

(I know I know... nostalgia) I used to drive up from Portland (4.5 hours) to the MCG perhaps twice a year, with my father to watch, some fine work by Lovett, Tingay and Stretch.. anyway, watching Darren Cuthbertson in the curtain raiser was often the highlight of the trip! Bring em' back!

I havent listened to SEN for a decade... so 😁

Context of each year doesn’t matter…Unless we get a threepeat, we’ve failed? And the team has let ME down. Am I doing it right? *sorry for the condescending tone.

I love your overt cynicism (and probably subscribe a touch to it) -any thoughts on why they don't do this EVERY year?

That's every teams ideal @Boots and all - rarely is it like this due to defensive structures, zone defence and aerobic capacity of all players. That's why there is ostensibly ZERO one on one defence any more, unlike the 'halycon' days of 1980's and 1990's (or whenever any of you reading this was a child, pre 2000). 😁 So if it's true that it is the ideal, then, do you try to manufacture the ideal, or do you accept that you cannot really manufacture it due to those factors listed and look at other strategic ways of of winning, where an open forward line is unlikely. Looking at a range of metrics of what give you a greater percentage of chances or goal scoring opportunities (irrespective of the outcome)... closer to the boundaries and hard shots, or aim for the middle and as one consequence, get cut up on the rebound... These are the things that the great minds of the game (including Goodwin, much to the chagrin of some) ponder, whilst looking at the list in its current form and how do we get the best from a list, who have had much of the forward line either injured, or returning from injury...

Chaos was the reductionist terminology used. It’s not chaotic (Hardwick and co would have loved that phrase), as the interpretation is that there is no real strategy. that is patently false. there was structure AS well as move it toward at all cost mentality - or as I’d put it - a territory game.

In my opinion, It’s Fugazi. It’s a piece masquerading as insightful, and fails to highlight the times we hit people on the chest, (see all games). We have a greater number of I50’s typically due to our setup. Thus the scoring rate goes down due to density. Melbournes approach, staves off quick scoring out the back for our opponents By the very nature of a tactic, there are always ways to counter it, and Goodwin aims for risk minimisation - it’s why we have been in the top 4 for 3 years, and with the exception of Essendon this year all games have been lost by less than 2 kicks and we typically comfortably have more scoring shots. This is the risk vs the reward. 5 years ago none of us in our lifetime could have dreamed of our consistency… and we have it, yet some are not quite nuanced enough to see why there is the approach taken FWIW - The media highlights these things as a simple remedy… and it ain’t that simple because they don’t delve into the costs of changing strategy. *there needs to be 2 acknowledgements, one the quality (of all) opposition, which of course being the national league, is really very good, thus their structures are great. secondly, our forward line has had to be restructured numerous numerous times throughout the year and thus leading patterns are not as refined. so it’s both structure/strategy and personnel as to why it’s adopted. and I know we all know about the injuries to forward personnel, I’m confused why people fail to see it as a significant contributing factor… YET we still lose by under 2 kicks.

Surprised Maynard didn't get 5 votes from Fly, seeing as how much influence one bloke had on the outcome of a the game.