Pre game perturbations: AFL 2021 Rd 12: Carlton vs West Coast

[Thryleon]

Ive been a Murphy fan but that was very disappointing I must say. There are a few stories going around about players not being happy, Fish, SPS, now Murphy.

Id love to know what they aren't happy about.

[PaulP]

What did Murphy actually say ?

[Gointocarlton]

What did Murphy actually say ?

https://twitter.com/i/status/1400737787662376965

"Spose football you dont really deserve anything um as much as what Ive sort of feel Ive been a pretty loyal servant to the footy club...last weekend I was pretty frustrated..I think anyone who's played a lot of football...and to be left out of the side would feel the same way..its a natural thing to feel"

Yes Marc, however dont air dirty laundry, cop your medicine and move on. You aren't above criticism.

if I was the coach, I'd say to him "have another week son".

[PaulP]

https://twitter.com/i/status/1400737787662376965

Good work Nando. Thanks. I don't think there's much in it :
1. He was frustrated about being dropped (most players would be, let alone someone who gets dropped for the first time after 290 odd games)
2. Said there are no guarantees in football, even for someone who has been loyal to the footy club like him.

I'm pretty sure that footage was edited, and I'd like to see the whole thing.

There might be something in it, but based on that, 50/50 at best IMO.

[northernblue]

Too many high jumpers and shadows methinks…

[PaulP]

Too many high jumpers and shadows methinks…

Gibbs' last season with us was 2017. 2018 was the worst season in our history. Now, I'm not in any way suggesting causation, but I don't think it's coincidence either. There's a number of forces, decisions, events etc., that made 2018 what it was, but Gibbs leaving was certainly one.

Having been on these forums for 15+ years, it's quite obvious to me that supporters are rarely in the best position to judge which players are valuable, what goes on behind the scenes etc. They have players they don't like (a position always reached by simple, objective observation  8)) , and they interpret situations accordingly.

[capcom]

Bit of an unintended insult to those who have decades of knowledge and support of the club, don't you think?

[Milhanna13]

I remember that game well, I was standing behind the goals at the Lygon St end - even more interesting, it came immediately after our two worst games for the season (the only 2 we lost).  They fronted up against Hawthorn and absolutely steamrolled them, 15 more wins after that  including the flag.

Sometimes, a line in the sand game can snowball into a run of top performances (crosses fingers for Sunday and beyond...)

God I miss those days.  3 goals down at half time...  not a problem...  1000% confident we’ll be up by 4 goals by 3/4 time....esp if we are kicking to heatley end

[madbluboy]

Murphy should be grateful he got back in for doing nothing unlike SPS.

[Lods]

Id love to know what they aren't happy about.

It's a big unknown.
Are they really unhappy?
How are the players connecting off-field?
Are there divisions between the group...little cliques. (older v younger, possibles v probables, longer at the club v newer)
You can understand a fair bit of unhappiness around the fringes.
Some players being given games when others think it should be their spot.
How is that manifesting itself in terms of dynamics around the club.
It doesn't seem that obvious on field.
Players seem to get around one another after goals, or console others who make mistakes.
But who knows?
If such divisions exist it could be a factor in some of the inconsistent performances.