Post Game Analysis: AFL 2020 Rd 2: Carlton vs Melbourne

[Baggers]

Interesting points made by Pauly and Blue Moon.  I agree that "above the shoulders" plays a very important part in a team's culture. 

However, surely that is affected directly by the ability  - or lack of -of the players.  How many times in recent years have we seen forward thrusts fail because of the inability of players to kick properly, or failing to kick  to the forwards advantage or to
make the right choice, only to have the ball turned over and our backline hammered once again.

During the Covid break I watched all of the 1995 Carlton games, and the contrast with today's team stood out like the proverbial.  No wonder our players stood tall.  They had a belief in themselves to win because they had  the mental attitude brought about by their skills.

The players were able to control a game because they could retain possession of the ball and use it to best advantage.

I suppose it's the chicken or the egg question, but I believe without skills so many opportunities are squandered, games are lost with monotonous regularity, and it's not possible to develop that essential positive mental attitude.

Fair points, Macca, and true to say that it may well be a chicken or egg situation. But I reckon when you're confident (attitude) and almost expect to win every week (attitude) that your skills fall into line, and get better, which also, then, feeds confidence... but it all starts with your mental attitude.

How many blokes have killed it on the track and in the twos but come game day on the big stage, are just not up to it. Conversely, how many blokes have you known to play our game with limited ability but phenomenal attitude/heart and go on to play 200+ quality games?

We've got the skills. We've got the talent (bar another quality mid or three), but lose ticker/concentration for a qtr a game. And now it's become an ingrained habit to break and you can only do that with attitude, an attitude of mongrel persistence and desperation and focus and ruthlessness... an attitude of 'only winning will satisfy us'... no matter the cost. No lapses.