Post Game Passion: AFL 2019 Rd 15: Carlton vs. Freo

[tonyo]

It's not about pretty or ugly. It's about being in control of proceedings. We won't be winning anything of note giving up big margins and trying to scramble playing desperado football in the dying minutes / seconds.

The good teams play tough accountable football, structured and in control. Think of any team that has won the flag this century. The Malthouse teams, the Clarkson teams, WC last year. That's what Bolton was aiming for IMO.

This isn't a weekend pottery course for depressed middle aged women of means. All this talk of freedom and players being able to express themselves - can you imagine Malthouse or Clarkson saying something like that ?

The last 3 flags have been won by coaches who seem far more measured and inclusive in their responses than Malthouse or Clarkson.  I think the days of the wall-punching, finger-pointing 'angry ant' type of coach are over.  The Millennials who are pulling on AFL jumpers now won't put up with that sort of crap.

The Malthouse approach was cooked by the time he got to us, and even Clarkson's reign was underpinned by the Dawks ability to recruit ready-made stars on an annual basis.  His Hawks are not looking so accountable and structured now.