05-24-2023, 12:35 AM
(05-24-2023, 12:13 AM)Baggers link Wrote:More than anything, the thing that I would love to see with our group this Friday night is a concerted effort to focus on trust in each other and leadership.The enjoyment levels look low, you look at Collingwood and they had the big mothers day special lunch with Mccreery's mum giving the players a gee up before the game and making it fun and all the players seem happy and bonded up.
We know that they all know how to kick, handball, tackle, run, mark and so on. But this really does look like a group bereft of trust in themselves, trust in each other (which destroys any opportunity to build confidence) and strong on-field leadership.
We have been doing plenty of things to undermine trust... silly misses on goal, dropped marks, poor handballs, silly choices/options - all symptoms of a lack of trust/confidence. A vicious cycle. The result? Playing safe, slow footy. No risks or boldness. Easily defeated/deflated.
To be candid, and I declare my bias having come from a military background/environment (Navy), I'd get a retired (you're never an 'ex') Navy Seal into the place to put these blokes through the exercises/disciplines required to build trust and leadership. Declarations of 'working harder' are rubbish, not to mention the implication that we've not being working hard enough. There are no issues with effort. 'Working smarter' would be more appropriate. And this cr@p about not getting too high or too low is a recipe for beige. The skill is to limit and contain the big highs and lows. Allow the highs and hurts for a time, then harness.
Sidebottom said recently that McRae had ended any player hierarchy stuff as well.
No private groups , ratpacks or senior players ignoring younger players.
Everyone equal and getting a say, was told they don't do the lecture theatre stuff much anymore and he prefers small private rooms where players are closer and feel connected.