05-24-2019, 09:49 PM
Whilst I am extremely disappointed with the results of the last couple of weeks, I do hope we don't just come out 'breathing fire' as I think from this young group that will result in a possible win this week and stinker the next.
We must use the events as a watershed moment where the players take collective responsibility and improve across the ground. I don't think this is Bolton.
The player driven extra skills (Cripps and Dow), while encouraging to read, how many others are doing it? This for mine is the mark that will show our real improvement. There are not too many on our list that should be satisfied with their skill levels - the easy turnovers and poor execution are trained and practised, and if we want to really improve as a group this simply has to happen and be driven by the players.
The intent and pressure around the ball, that is a player decision, how hard do you run, how hard do you commit? That is the players making the decision, all the lovely game plans in the world fall apart if you cannot execute due to the effort.
So by all means, breath fire, but I want to see a consistent lift in intensity across the ground, and over the next couple of weeks an understanding of what it takes to compete at AFL level. It is a bit like a room full of new University graduates - everyone has a degree, so what sets you apart? Our young AFL 'champions' could be anything or not much, they actually make the decision.
We must use the events as a watershed moment where the players take collective responsibility and improve across the ground. I don't think this is Bolton.
The player driven extra skills (Cripps and Dow), while encouraging to read, how many others are doing it? This for mine is the mark that will show our real improvement. There are not too many on our list that should be satisfied with their skill levels - the easy turnovers and poor execution are trained and practised, and if we want to really improve as a group this simply has to happen and be driven by the players.
The intent and pressure around the ball, that is a player decision, how hard do you run, how hard do you commit? That is the players making the decision, all the lovely game plans in the world fall apart if you cannot execute due to the effort.
So by all means, breath fire, but I want to see a consistent lift in intensity across the ground, and over the next couple of weeks an understanding of what it takes to compete at AFL level. It is a bit like a room full of new University graduates - everyone has a degree, so what sets you apart? Our young AFL 'champions' could be anything or not much, they actually make the decision.