Re: AFL Rd 1 2025 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Richmond
Reply #184 –
A different perspective. But one worth addressing, fleshing out and considering, I believe.
Things we have ample evidence for, over some years now. Our group is fragile, not mentally tough. Very nice, though. We have the embarrassing talent of establishing a strong lead then defending it or extending upon it with all the conviction and effectiveness of an over cooked noodle. A culture of head dropping when things don't go our way is too common, sad and embarrassing. Opposition club and supporters know and chuckle at our obvious vulnerabilities.
Whoever is working with our boys behind the scenes is doing an extremely good job at creating and encouraging psychologically aware, responsible and culturally outstanding citizens. The club initiatives around respect and inclusiveness are to be applauded. We're AFL leaders in this area with our outstanding initiatives. Inspiring corporate citizens.
However, there is a white line where all that must be bracketed. When we cross that white line on game day, it becomes a gladiatorial contest; a contest of mental resolve, toughness, fear educing hardness, endurance, mongrel persistence and even ruthlessness. A culture of uncompromising hunting the opposition is required, imperative. Winning every contest must be the single minded ethic. Who, behind the scenes at our club, is responsible for instilling and developing these young hearts and minds to embrace, understand and practice, over and over again, mental toughness? No-one it would seem.
That comment from Voss to the crowd at PP recently that we will lose at times is a white flag, a preparatory excuse and a way out for players... a totally unnecessary statement of the fckn obvious, a better and more productive comment would have been how any loss is intolerable but if it happens just watch our powerful resilience righting a wrong. That sets a standard to address the inevitable.
If I had my way, and as tiresome as this may sound, I would put this group through an appropriately adjusted and suitable for footballers Navy Seal fortnight of building strength of character. Interesting is that one of my best mates and I went through this, and he and I both have PTSD and are still here to talk about it... many mates aren't. Also interesting is that our instructor was one of Jocko Willink's early influences/trainers. We learned, in no uncertain ways, that the goal of any team is for all team members to be a leader, with relentless accountability, trust and discipline. I still mentor a few young males on this, to this day. Especially how to kick addiction in the @rse, embrace hardship and turn it into motivation. (please don't see any of this as a 'wonder of me' stuff. Nuh. If there's a mistake any human could make, I've probably made it but rather than beat myself up over it, I delved deep into the why... took ownership of my fckup, then made a decision to deal with it, honestly, authentically and deal with any associated pain or temptation to avoid or blame someone else - this is one of the reasons I find the comment 'don't get too high or too low' is to me just avoidance and fear in a pretty dress. Courage requires to go there, deeply... low? Why. Understand it and deal with it. High - enjoy it to the hilt... dealing with both extremes is growth, deep personal growth).
Personality wise, I notice some of these important skills in blokes like JSOS, Ollie (just needs better direction), Crippa, Walsh (shockingly underdone for the Tiggers game), Newman, Lord, Boyd & Cincotta. In our coaching ranks I see this in Hamill and to a lesser extent, Vossy - who seems to have lost some of his mongrel and healthy anger... becoming infected with nice/playing favourites? Better to be respected than liked, Vossy. As an aside I noticed when Vossy was talking about the injuries/loss of important players - Newman, Charles, Jagga and a couple of others, he neglected to mention Cinc... if he's got something against this bloke - drop it. He's valuable. Learn to detach, and strategize objectively. If you want consistent excellence, address the above - it works. Favourites, sentimentality and tempering yourself are just ways, in respect to leadership, just weakening yourself.
Just a few thoughts folks from a humble human who's had to perform and be performance reliable/excellent in horrible circumstances - but the life lessons have been invaluable.