No Player bashing PLEASE

[swan_song]

Let's not start player bashing ...be proud of what they boys have achieved this year. Unfortunately, last night we had perhaps 10 to 12 players who were down (why????) and the ones who have in the past got the team up (the willos, cressas and stewies) were for much of the time in that group of under-performers. It happens! We must focus on the positives and not be distracted from what we are doing this year, building a team that will hopefully be a REAL challenger in a couple of years! That said, it was great to see Seymour and Fixter in the ressies...

[Mike_B]

The ironic thing about some of the players in the ressies are the guys who are kicking goals in the ressies (Seymour, James, Warfe to name a few last night) are the same players who if they play seniors will be playing at the other end of the field.

But agree that its great to see Snapper and Bob back out there.

[SXP]

I don't think we could single out one or two players here. IMO, they've collectively underperformed and that's all, but I still believe we should tell them when we're not happy with their performance, especially in front of their home crowd on such a special occasion that was last night.

[BAM_BAM]

I think we've missed Leo in the past couple of weeks. I believe his injury to his heal is stopping his run and that's killing us.

He usually generates so much push forward, it's not happened in the past two games. When he did do it last night, we were having a shot on goal. Instead we've been reverting back to kicking it out of the back line and looking for players to free themselves up. This has been resulting in poor disposals. Last night many players were making themselves available but poor options or late/slow passes resulted in a contest, with a turn over.

IMO the umps did have a couple of shockers, but we really need to discipline ourselves in our defensive 50 and minimize shots on goal.

[Angelic Upstart]

Well said swan_song. Let's not turn on the players just because they didn't live up to our inflated expectations. I think we all got a bit carried away, even daring to dream of a grand final and premiership this year.

The pressure of several tough games in a row is starting to show on some of the players, and that's why they've fallen away. But at least for the third week in a row they didn't throw in the towel but fought back well.

[Diego]

Originally posted by BAM_BAM
I think we've missed Leo in the past couple of weeks. I believe his injury to his heal is stopping his run and that's killing us.

I agree 100%. Up until last week when the article came out in the paper I was wondering why Leo was not setting up play from the half back line with Tadhg.

[Mike_B]

Originally posted by SXP
I don't think we could single out one or two players here. IMO, they've collectively underperformed and that's all, but I still believe we should tell them when we're not happy with their performance, especially in front of their home crowd on such a special occasion that was last night.

What annoyed me again last night was we put in a very poor first half performance, yet the crowd in the Brewongle near the race CHEERED the players as they left the field at half-time. I'm not saying they need to be boo'ed, but cheering an inept performance sends a message to the players that the fans are willing to accept that.

I will definitely cheer my team when they deserve it, but am also going to criticise where that criticism is warranted. In the case of last night thought, the criticism is aimed at the team as a whole, because there were so many players who were down, that it would be unfair to single any particular player out for special attention.

[desredandwhite]

Booing should only be reserved for breath-taking ineptitude. Last night, frosty silence would have been sufficient.

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Re: No Player bashing PLEASE

Originally posted by swan_song
Let's not start player bashing ...be proud of what they boys have achieved this year. Unfortunately, last night we had perhaps 10 to 12 players who were down (why????) and the ones who have in the past got the team up (the willos, cressas and stewies) were for much of the time in that group of under-performers. It happens! We must focus on the positives and not be distracted from what we are doing this year, building a team that will hopefully be a REAL challenger in a couple of years! That said, it was great to see Seymour and Fixter in the ressies...

Mate, I 100% disagree. They played like a team who expected to win against a "weaker" opponent, and got rolled. Against Carlton and Freo they have played in a similar fashion, but have gotten away with it. Last night their attitude was a disgrace. Sloppy, half-hearted (at least during the 2nd quarter where the damage was done-isn't it always in the 2nd quarters when we play our worst footy.) Players were thinking "well, when he gets the ball to me, I'll do something with it, rather than diving in for it. And it took till the 3/4 to get our running game going.

Just like a supporter would in Melbourne, I want accountability from my players. The insipid effort by the players was all the more galling considering the amount of past South Melbourne/Sydney players present for the Team of the Century dinner. Worst efforts of the year, the two games against Hawthorn.

Questions have to be asked of the players right here and NOW! Do they want to be in the finals or not?

The silly thing about this team is that I'm confident that they will really put in a good effort against the Bears next Sunday. If not, then we will have to look at a bottom rung final and a ghastly trip to Adelaide etc.

I know they were hurting after their loss in Canberra. They should be filthy on themselves after their efforts last night (possibly Schneider and Jude aside.)

a spewing JF

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Originally posted by Mike_B
What annoyed me again last night was we put in a very poor first half performance, yet the crowd in the Brewongle near the race CHEERED the players as they left the field at half-time. I'm not saying they need to be boo'ed, but cheering an inept performance sends a message to the players that the fans are willing to accept that.

Mike, what annoyed me was how flat the crowd was (at least for the first half). The atmosphere had more the feel of a practise match than a fair-dinkum battle for the finals. I know I'll raise the ire of several people in saying this, but with the bandwagon now fully back at the SCG, the crowds are turning into social occasions for the Country Road set. Yes, we need their money, but the Freo game aside, there is no sting in the crowds anymore, with most of the chanting very very muted.

JF

[BAM_BAM]

Originally posted by JF_Bay22_SCG
Mike, the crowds are turning into social occasions for the Country Road set.
JF

couldn't agree more. There were a group people sitting in our row, I lost count of the amount of times they headed to and from the bar, in the middle of each quarter. It was all I could do not to tell them the P#$@ off.

With regard to cheering or clapping the guys off at half time. Do you think some us may see it as a way to try and lift spirits not to say we accpeted how they have played as suitable.

[Bron]

Originally posted by BAM_BAM
couldn't agree more. There were a group people sitting in our row, I lost count of the amount of times they headed to and from the bar, in the middle of each quarter. It was all I could do not to tell them the P#$@ off.

With regard to cheering or clapping the guys off at half time. Do you think some us may see it as a way to try and lift spirits not to say we accpeted how they have played as suitable.

We had a four people behind us who spent the first 2 and a half quarters talking about everything except the footy. Eventually my husband turned round and asked them to either be at the footy or go somewhere else because their inane chatter was driving us nuts. At least they stopped then.

I'm behind the race. They were applauded as they came off at half time, and there were several amongst us who called to encourage them to lift. I think that's reasonable. After the game, I don't know that there was much applause .... I was speechless (and hoarse) and numb.

I agree that the crowd seemed flat, but it just reflected the team.

I agree JF, Schneiderman put his all in there, and Jude was in it too. Barry worked hard, but made some shocking decisions, but he'll look good with the goals he got.

They just seemed hesitant too often and not prepared to back themselves.

[Swansinger]

Originally posted by JF_Bay22_SCG
Mike, what annoyed me was how flat the crowd was (at least for the first half). The atmosphere had more the feel of a practise match than a fair-dinkum battle for the finals.
....no sting in the crowds anymore, with most of the chanting very very muted.

JF

Not an entirely unfair observation.

There were a few Hawthorn fans at the front of Bay 7 who were uglier than our performance and whose collective IQ was probably not much more than our 1/4 time score.
But at least they got behind their team.

Still , a few of us had a red hot go at lifting the team,even if we looked bloody daft cheering in isolation.

My advice , when you think the crowd lacks "sting" , JF -
take the initiative , lead the fans and YOU be that sting !

[swan_song]

JF, I kinda feel the same way about yesterday's game. My point is that bashing indivudual players isn't constructive or helpful. To me that was a very poor team effort given the stakes. In my mind, there are a couple in the 22 who shouldn't be there on their recent performances, but overall the year has been good -- well, better than I'd hoped for at season start. Just 'uncovering' Schneiderman is a great bonus for the years ahead. I can even picture him as a future team leader...
I knew hawthorn was a danger game (it always is)...but I was numb, devastated, couldn't believe that the boys passed on such a golden opportunity to try for a home final/double chance. It WAS a very very disappointing effort.
On a reworking of predictions on today's results and likelihoods over the next 3 weeks, I think we may finish fifth now if we can snag one of brisbane/pies and beat the Ds. This, may allow us, hopefully, a 'home' final against Freo, who I have pencilled in for 8th spot...

[Diego]

As much as I admire your efforts in trying to turn the SCG into some crazy carnivale atmosphere like futbol in Europe or South America it wont happen in Sydney Jules.

In fact it wont happen anywhere in Australia. We as Australians are the most pathetic, boring, non eventful supporters ever to follow any code.

Just have to listen to the cringe worthy chants of "Syd-ney clap clap clap clap" or the hideous "Aussie Aussie Aussie oi oi oi" chant for evidence of what I mean.

A few years back when the Argentinian National Futbol team toured to play a qulaifyer against Australia about 5000 fans from Boca Juniors (Huge futbol team in Arg) came down under with the team. They were incensed at the fact that security told em to sit down, that the participation from fellow Argo//Australias was poor and the fact that many aussies in the crowd were telling them to shut up and sit down. They vowed never to return to Australia unless they had to live here.

Its not part of our sporting culture and never will be. Its a shame b/c we are missing out on a truely magical atmosphere.

So Jules good luck in trying.