Just came across this thread. I agree completely with this assessment. Our list is much better than what the media and opposition supporters would like to believe but we lack the mental fortitude to continue to back ourselves and each other to believe we can win regardless.
I think it all comes down to the team being individualistic rather than unified. Our players are all still in survival mode. Few of them feel their place in the team is secure. Now that we are losing this problem is perpetual and magnified. Even when we begin by taking risks and backing each other we fall back into old self preservation habits when we think we could lose. It is a real issue.
The think the best solution to the culture issue is to first remove the older players from the club. They do not have a team-first mentality nor do they, when things turn ugly, look how they can help other and the team in general recover. Instead they become self focused and turn on the young players. They are not leaders.
Next I would tell the players that they have a new set of goals to be measured on each game. Possessions, marks and even goals are now meaningless. Only team focused actions will be credited. These will of course include tackles, shepherds and blocks but also actions such as dummy leads, risk taking, goal assists and onfield support and leadership. If a player can get into the ears of their down cast teammates and get them refoced and motivated that should be worth more for a team than a possession or goal.
We need to instill team orientated targets and team directed rules. Players should be held accountable for their actions not just to their coaches but to their team-mates.
TW talks about us being unskilled well I disagree. I just believe we despose of the ball under pressure (percieved or real) which hinders our skills. We fear the ramafications of a turnover rather than the rewards of the risk. We don't shepherd the ball carrier to give him space and time. We don't run do dummy leads to give other forwards room to lead into. We have no confidence in ourselves or each other and we are continuely fearful of failure.
Whatever coach we have next year needs to change the young players focus and mentality. Take the pressure off that outside forces love to instill upon us and make the players accountable to each other.
Nig job but we need to start now
Stripes
