Start with the coach and then work your way through all the changes he’s introduced.
We haven’t really played any great looking footy so far (hopefully we’ve all got some hair left), but there just seems to be a lot more purpose and resolve about the players and there would be a few reasons for that.
The biggest difference, by far, is that the mindset of the coaches is always positive and proactive. So, regardless of what happens, on or off the field, whether we win or not, there’s not the ‘bunker’ mentality we’ve had in the past, when things have gone a bit haywire. Helps when you have a coach who has faith in his own ability. If you haven’t got that then say your prayers.
You’d almost have to think that, regardless of their natural ability, if players aren’t able to improve, in some way, in this sort of environment then there’s no helping them. The striking thing, for me, is that not only are we seeing improvement in individual players, but also getting better as a team. And my battered and scarred mind appreciates any amount of improvement, regardless of how small it may seem. The team will still continue to be inconsistent, but at least we can see the difference in the way we play now, and also where we’re going, compared to the past.
In previous seasons, to me it’s always seemed as though a bunch of individuals were out there playing footy. But now, you can at least see something like a team emerging. Hopefully it’s for real this time.
There are probably a whole lot of reasons for that as well, and not just one simple answer. Giving players greater responsibility and allowing them to have some input into games means they have to think about what happens in matches. Before, during and after. I don’t think that’s happened in the past, to the same level and degree as now. Instead it’s always seemed that players tried to carry out a game plan without the involvement and responsibility they now have towards each game. How could any player hope to improve or learn the way things used to be?
Probably a weird way of trying to explain something, and sorry if it don’t make sense, but it’s almost like Dennis Cometti’s view of the game last Friday night, where he felt the pace of the game didn’t allow him time to absorb parts of the match. Instead he felt it was like he’d gone through the take away drive through and had his food thrown at him. Most people like to have time to digest their food, as well as a game of footy; which is fair enough.
That’s probably how you could describe our coaching in the past; where it mostly seemed to be thrown at the players, rather than involving them and making them think about the game, which could then provide them with a greater sense of responsibility for their role in the team.
Basically, I think the current methods give players a better appreciation of the end result. And would also help build confidence in them, because they can gain a better understanding and appreciation of what they are supposed to be doing, and why. Giving players this sort of responsibility and involvement provides for greater motivation as well. But the coach giving them the confidence to take on any role is as big a factor as any. We’ve only just started really, but so far I’d say I’m rapt too.
