Re: 2013 - the year our best players went AWOL
Reply #5 –
I don't think it is as simple as Fly has outlined but his theory certainly is a contributing factor.
Sometimes, you can have all the talented players you like but they don't ever achieve success. People will look at the coaches, they will also point the finger at the development program or they will be looking for excuses like injuries or suspension as the reasons for non-performance. Whilst they are all quite valid options and actually could be the reason(s) why the team achieves nothing more than mediocre levels, there is also an intangible that does get overlooked time & time again.
Sometimes the group just doesn't work together !! By that I mean they are not emotionally engaged because they are not the right mix of characters. There needs to be some big characters (ie. extroverts) who bind them all-together as well as some back-slappers & encouragers. Don't discount the value of the players who will speak out and tell it like it is, they are not afraid to show their emotions, show that losing hurts them and they don't like it.
Every successful group has a mixture of characters but the bulk of them aren't shrinking violets or Marcel Marceau impersonators. With playing ability being on a par across most AFL lists, its the grey matter & attitude that eventually makes the difference.
We have too many gentlemen, quietly spoken & shy guys at the club right now. Even though a fair proportion of them can play footy, collectively they will never go on and win the big ones because they just don't have the leaders, fighters & shouters amongst them to lead them out of the trenches.