Carlton Supporters Club

Last night was pathetic. First 10 mins of the third quarter we should’ve just put it beyond reach but farted around, couldn’t hit a target in our f50
And showed no composure for a supposed grand finalist.

Our last month has been crap - last weeks win was unconvincing.

I thought this was our year, it felt different. Unfortunately the last month has a familiarity to it - not in a good way.

A player whose game goes to pieces after an early mistake probably lacks a mental toughness. On the other hand someone who comes back and gets on top of his opponent after an early setback probably possesses a degree of mental toughness.

Of course we look at it from a distance, so it's not an easy task.
But there are certainly signs that may suggest a level of mental toughness.

A player who lifts his game when his team is in trouble and has a 'follow me' type of presence probably has a fair degree of mental toughness. I reckon our captain shows signs of that.

A player whose game goes to pieces after an early mistake probably lacks a mental toughness. On the other hand someone who comes back and gets on top of his opponent after an early setback probably possesses a degree of mental toughness.

Someone who is given an opportunity after being out for some time and just doesn't take that opportunity probably has questionable toughness.

It's also probably fair to say though that talented players don't always possess mental toughness and under the pressure of big games sometimes go missing.

But identifying mental toughness is not always an easy task...note how often I used the word 'probably' in this post.
It's hard to be definite.

I'd have to say I have no idea who is mentally tough and who isn't. I wouldn't even know where to begin.

I'd have to say I have no idea who is mentally tough and who isn't. I wouldn't even know where to begin.

Totally understand, Pauly. That's why game day mindset (and training) is so critical - to condition our mind to step over those life realities and focus relentlessly on excellence, and all it asks, for two hours. And as you rightly point out, some do it better than others - enter the Vossy's, Crippa's, Jezza's... sheesh, any star you can think of... they have the natural talent combined with a mindset of ruthless persistence toward excellence. But there are many players not blessed with sublime natural talent who developed a mindset of sustained excellence... to get the very best out of themselves and do succeed at the highest level, although only a B or C grader, talent wise. That's what we need, especially, from our 'bottom 6-8' on game day.

A reasonable example would be Young. He has a degree of natural talent but appears not to have the mental discipline. And boy doesn't it show when the heat comes. Kade Simpson might be an example of the opposite, capable skills but boy what mental discipline and application. I'm sure most of us could come up with a huge list of blokes who weren't blessed with talent to burn or  a huge, strong body yet they were so mentally tough that they shrugged aside any limitations.