I have no doubt in the capacity of our current coach and team to achieve much this year and progress. Actually I believe they can achieve more than the modest aspiration of a handful of wins.
Whilst we plan for the future and that looks bright, talk of the future should now be shelved for the rest of the season as it subtly diminishes our current aspirations and capabilities. Our progress has to start on March 27 and has to continue thereafter week by week.
Pundits, statistical coaches and some supporters these days look at the stats and declare the winner of the flag at the start of the year and even several seasons out based on the draft etc. What a load of BS.
To play at AFL level you are talented.
The true difference between players is one of degree often a very small degree. On any given day almost every AFL player could have a blinder and many do. Teams who shouldn't win do. What is it, an alignment of the moon, abstinence or dumb luck that causes that to happen? Maybe, more likely that player actually realises and releases their underlying abilities. This may be because the coach has awakened their belief of what is possible or a couple of actions early in the game release that belief from within. There is no reason that can't happen every quarter. Of course sometimes when things don’t go the right way on the field players drop their heads. What is ignited is the sense of the impossible. Thats just not acceptable for the Dees. This year can only be about what is possible and progression. What is behind is exactly that. What might happen in the future is equally useless. What happens next is all that matters.
It’s the untapped potential in our team that can and will win us many games. Its there for the taking. Our coaches and leadership group should have not a moments doubt in the capacity of the current players to realise what they aspire to, winning as many games as they can. Imagine if Mohammed Ali had said "I am the greatest…..but I am not sure I can beat this guy." Why bother to turn up to fight Ali if you thought you weren't in with a chance on your day better to believe: "He might say he is the greatest but I can win this." Truth is as great as Ali was he won some fights only because he thought he could.
Bails doesn’t touch the ball what he depends on is his ability to make the players powerful and realise they can play at a different level more consistently. He has to put that belief and fire in their belly every match day every quarter. He must ask himself before every game if he can't see the fire in the players eyes, "What am I doing that my players are not fired up, have I given my players every chance and the responsibility to release their best game today?"
Each player has find that fire within. Do you believe your next touch may be the one that sparks a blinding performance for the rest of the game or even the season? I reckon each of players can do it. If not don't pull the jumper on. Seriously go fishing, anything.
Supporters have a choice of helping our team find the fire and a blinding performance within or running with the stats. Personally I find stats uninspiring and dull. The sweetest victories are those we dont expect. I am not a total optimist however I know every day someone who tries a little harder and has just a bit more self belief will do better than others and will progress.
We have to ask ourselves are we doing all we can to support the coach and team. So here is a challenge to those on this forum can we go a whole week next week with positive analysis only. I don’t mean avoid criticism but lets make it really constructive. I expect the coach to be vigourous in demanding the players expose their best. I expect the players to release that potential.
I was going to do a list of players I have seen play a blinder or well above their perceived abilities but let me throw that challenge out to the forum. Who are they? I can list about 18+.
Imagine if only four of those players on March 27 put in another blinder or indeed all of them do it at once.
So here is my guarantee to you. I will support the team with the same fire in my eyes, no excuses.
Bails deliver the guys to the field each and every quarter with a matching desire, no excuses. Inspire them. Demand they show their absolute best, no excuses.
Guys play with the sense that the next touch will be better than the last, anything is possible from one quarter to the next and a desire to show just how underestimated you have been.
Every day someone somewhere is beating the odds.
Go Dees.