Rivers of Belief my friend
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Everything posted by Rivers of Belief my friend
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Yeah it feels like we’ve definitely thrown the baby out with the bath water, then drank our own bath water (that previously had the baby in it), and then West Coast gave us a bath. Lots of bath salts over here.
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*warning: absurdist thought* If the Dees had also been playing in this game (three teams on the field), it would have been a 3-way tie; all on 85 points.
Yep, hate to admit it but…the guy is…classy?
Planet-sized ego
Hi team, Loving the podcast. This one's from Mrs. Spargonicus (Spargonette?), who's a relative newcomer to AFL, having grown up in Sydney and followed that other code (an Eels fan). She then transitioned to AFL first as a Swans supporter, and after much cajoling on my part, and forcing her to attend many games, she became a fully-fledged Demon member. (However, I will reveal that our first kiss was back in 1997 at the G, watching David Nietz kick 3 in a muddy affair - a loss for the Dees, of course.) Aaaanyway, this is her observation*: Goody has mentioned in press conferences that at the start of each game he kind of waits to see what the opposition throws at them. And then adapts. Spargonette thinks this may have something to do with our pattern of slow starts, catch-up, burst in 3rd term, and then tiring out in the final quarter to try and withstand a spirited comeback. (Against better sides obviously, like 2023 finals.) She thinks this might be a less-than-ideal mindset to enter a match with, in preference to a more positive starting mindset of: "we're taking this game by the throat" or "we'll stamp our brand on this game". (She knows about our defensive structure game.) *backed by purely anecdotal evidence.
Here’s a funny post-game comment from one of the Doggies’ forums: “There comes a time when a great coach realises the team needs a fresh voice. Where beverage is delivering yet another year on the relationship between Confucius - Ancient Teacup making and the Art of the Quilt, other coaches are actually driving the game forward.”
Query: is there a list/table anywhere online that summarises the longest streaks of ‘unfair’ / biased game schedules? eg Dees at Kardinia Park should we start a thread listing them? (An off season project perhaps). Maybe by spreading the word on these lopsided fixtures we can point out their absurdity and effect change.
Hmm. It’s a great question. I think in these times of increasing costs of living and disunity across our country and the Western world in general (post-Brexit, post/pre-Trump, the Referendum sh$tshow etc.) the AFL will continue to enjoy support. let’s face it, it’s something to get excited and passionate about. Memberships may slide a little over the next few years as the cost crunch really starts, but it’s a quintessentially Australian thing that unites us - even in respect of all hating Collingwood. The rules need a LOT of tightening. Whoa. Get it right, AFL. Eliminate as many subjective rules as you possibly can. Train and pay the umpires properly. That will go a long way. I’m also getting massively on board the AFLW. Is only a good thing in the medium-longer term. A very good thing.
I keep saying that, overall, psychology is THE most important factor in sport. (Especially if you’re comparing similarly accomplished players/teams) McRae has done a brilliant job. I’ve seen some of his player addresses: he focuses on his players actually enjoying the pressure moments and owning them. We did that in 2021 - esp in finals.
Well, I didn’t watch that, and the result is predictable, right down to a tiny margin. Let’s back in our all-conquering AFLW team. They’re smashing it. Let’s get right behind them. Then bring on 2024 for both teams.
