Re: Post Game Passion: AFL 2021 Rd 2: Carlton vs Collingwood
Reply #182 –
In addition to the guys currently on the list and the ones I mentioned in my previous post, we have Walsh as a current player and we have Judd as a board member, both of whom know everything there is to know about work ethic etc. Now, if this 'lack of work ethic" theory is true, then either our players are deaf, or they're as thick as a 4x2. The elephant in the room, which so far as I can tell has not been mentioned, is that maybe the players gave up the chase etc. because they were stuffed, and maybe Collingwood won because they are simply a better, more experienced, more battle hardened team, and that too many of us underestimated them ?
I don't think it's an elephant in the room, Pauly. I am very sure the entire footy world sees just how much we (and some of them/commentators) overrated ourselves/us... we started believing our own publicity/bullshizen.
In the media today, one commentator labelled us 'down hill skiers'... I'd say we are barely that. We have such an emphasis on our offensive game that we forgot (arrogance?) defense... ruthless defense, uncompromising defense.
The pendulum has swung too far the other way... under BB, too defensive (understandable - minimize damage), now... too offensive, and with that comes a psychological softness, a liking for the easy way, the path of least resistance.
It is exactly the same as last year. The only sides we beat are either in bad form or relax against us. Rottingwood relaxed in the 3rd qtr - went away from their approach and structures, they quickly fixed it and we, as per usual, wilted.
How the hell are we going to get the best out of our list when there is no emphasis on defensive pressure? Fair-dinkum, relentless pressure... and, err, that means, err... tackling! Ferocious, uncompromising tackling. We really are a one dimensional team... mmm... let me think... mmm, nuh, can't think of any premiership side, ever, who've gotten over the line without a strong defensive understanding and application.
But, hey, we're nice to watch. Really pretty. And just like a really pretty flower, as soon as a strong wind comes... the petals fall.