Re: "The Reality Check" Leads To "The Trenches At Gallipoli"
Reply #7 –
On the weekend, Carlton were belted by the best team in the competition. We were all expecting a loss and to some extent, the margin wasn't entirely out of most people's range of numbers.
Many people are lamenting the state of where we are but if you look at it honestly, the Hawks had just touched up the Swans & Frockers by 70-80 points each. Therefore, given they are the next two best teams in the league, the smacking we copped should not have come as a complete surprise.
What was on display for everyone to witness was the stark difference between our playing list and that of the acknowledged league leaders. We were given the biggest reality check we have ever had and hopefully, some of our supporters will look at our players without the navy-blue goggles on from now.
Yes, we do have a nucleus of decent players from which to build from but the simple fact is, we cannot keep persisting with anyone who would be ranked as a "fringe" player. We need top shelf players with a killer attitude and a set of skills to match if we want to get anywhere in this business.
Something that did stand out to me in this recent match was that we have too many players who just don't want to keep fighting. For some, it just gets too hard so they stop chasing, shepherding, tackling etc.
Unfortunately, this is a culture that has been brewing for many years and is a genuine reason why we are behind the rest of the competition. Just look at Andre Everitt, when he first arrived, he worked his ring off all game. Now he too picks and chooses when to go because that is the norm amongst his team-mates.
If I look at the playing list, I think about if I was in the trenches at Gallipoli, how many of them would I want around me to cover my back ??
Sadly, that list isn't very long.
Well said, Ye Sheikness.