Re: Post Game Passion: AFL 2019 Rd 20: Carlton vs. West Coast
Reply #34 –
There were a few times today, that nearly had me smash my TV in frustration. Not due to lack of talent and skill. Not through a lack of speed. Just lazy effort and brain switching off. Lack of belief we can get back into the game. Stupidity in the heat of the moment. Goes brother not having anyone on the mark when he kicks the ball back into play after we score a point. WTF? He gets to run 35m out and kick the ball under no pressure. It takes no skill to stand on the mark. None at all. Just lazy footy. Not going to a contest in your defective 50m when a ball is kicked in your near proximity. Allowing an uncontested mark in front of goal? Really? Lazy. Expecting others to do the defending work. Happened during the whole game numerous times. Not running hard to chase an opponent after a turnover. Lazy. Not a skill problem. Pure lack of application.
In fact when Ryan or Cameron was being chased hard running towards his attacking 50m, the shear fact he was chased, must have given perceived pressure. Hence he ran too far and gave us a free kick. This is simple. Not talent or skill. It’s application. Work ethic. Giving away 50m penalties mouthing off to the umpires. Simo, Jack. Really? Do you honestly think the umpire will reverse a free kick because he respects your opinion? Shut the f@ck up and accept the decision. NOOO, we want the opponent to be within kicking distance of a goal, because we want to voice our opinion.
Some lazy tackle efforts today I was most unhappy with. It again isn’t a skill issue. Handing off a hand pass 3m to your left or right, selling a comrade under pressure? Really? How about moving the ball forwards. Not dishing the ball off because you don’t want to be busted in a tackle. All while no opponent is near you. Come on guys, a little composure. I hope Teague sits all the boys down to watch the replay. To see these simple things that don’t need skill. It’s an application issue. Cost us 3 or 4 goals today. Hang on we only lost by 4 goals. So in reality we could have taken this one all the way today. Lost focus, belief and not prepared to do the hard work. Walsh and Cripps can’t be expected to carry the side. Think.
Sure we didn’t get thumped in the end. I however am not convinced it was bigger bodies, more experience, more talent that beat us. We lost it. We choked. We got lazy and left the work to Walsh, Cripps, Simo, Murphy and Newman. We are better than what we showed today. Sure down with injuries. However stupidity, laziness and lack of effort for 4 quarters is not talent or skill. Don’t do it again in the last 3 games for this season. It isn’t fair on your teammates. It isn’t honourable to your potential permanent coach. It isn’t right to do to your supporters who pay good money to watch you get paid to serve up some effort. When things are going our way.
It’s 3 games. Bring it on 100% and maximum effort for 4 quarters. It’s 3 games. That’s it. Bring it or risk being delisted. Sell them this concept Teague. Just say it once and for all. I wish Doc was out there. Very rare to see him do 3/4 efforts. Play hard for half a game. No wonder Special K, Doc and Daisy are a big loss to us. They never give up. It’s not skill that makes them special. It’s application. Effort. It’s character.
I might be less frustrated in the morning. Don’t kill me for caring how we try to win games. I just think we only gave it half a shot today. Great individual moments here and there. We really should and could have lost by far more. Thank God Kennedy was kept quiet. I wish he never left.