Melbourne-based fans deserved better

[CureTheSane]

Originally posted by lizz
How could we not realise. We've been told often enough.

Although that sounds like a bitter comment, I tend to agree.

I am sick of all the Melbourne people whining about the lack of games.

Do something constructive at the end of the season when it matters, rather than now when the draw is set in stone...

[Bear]

I totally agree there should have been a better performance in what was an important game for the club.

I think some take the comments out of context a little.

Just as (say) the first ever game at Homebush needed a really big effort for 'the club', so did this one. It was a big stage against a Melbourne power, at the home of football, and in front of adoring fans that had not seen their team in 6 months.

If you can't understand that then fine but don't turn the comments into something they are not.

[robbieando]

Originally posted by Bear
I think some take the comments out of context a little.

I can only agree

Just as (say) the first ever game at Homebush needed a really big effort for 'the club', so did this one. It was a big stage against a Melbourne power, at the home of football, and in front of adoring fans that had not seen their team in 6 months.

More to the point pointed out above I don't see a problem with what Treespirit said, if its OK for the players to put in a greater effort for our first match of the season, our first home match of the season, any players milestone match, any players last game and for finals, surely they can put in a "better" effort for our first match of the season in Melbourne, without Sydney-siders getting all upset with the idea.

Though just a small point Bear, its been 8 months not 6, plus its another 2 before we see them down here again

If you can't understand that then fine but don't turn the comments into something they are not.

Hear hear

[liz]

Originally posted by Bear

Just as (say) the first ever game at Homebush needed a really big effort for 'the club', so did this one. It was a big stage against a Melbourne power, at the home of football, and in front of adoring fans that had not seen their team in 6 months.

If you can't understand that then fine but don't turn the comments into something they are not.

I am really struggling to understand that. And despite my ever so slightly sarcastic comment earlier in this thread, this has nothing to do with Melbourne vs Sydney interests.

If we think that there are times when the team ought to put in an "extra special effort" the corollary is that we think it is acceptable that there are times when they consciously decide not to put in that effort. Is that really what you're saying?

The only thing I really ask of the team I support is that each time they don the Red and White in a H&A or Finals game (I'm willing to concede practice games) that they try to do the best they can - nothing more, nothing less. If it's good enough to win great, if not you move onto the next time.

Of course there are numerous factors (both physical and pyschological) that affect individual players' ability to perform to their best on any given day - but a conscious decision about how much effort they want to put in???

[ScottH]

I don't think it is anything to do with "Try Harder", It has a lot to do with confidence. And I think even tho' they are playing OK, I think they have lost the edge they had with their confidence in themselves and each other, (esp. if some are under injury clouds).

I have personally experienced, this confidence swing, in my favourite sport Golf. It was similar to the Melb. game last year where things just clicked in that last Qtr and things just got better from there. Once you shake the mental thoughts that "I'm unsure if I can" or "if he can", the team will start playing better.

Hopefully they have a good Psyche person, who can help.

Or, they can "spit" in the eye of the tiger next week, and get their confidence back, like it seemed to be against the Kangas.

Also, the Short kicking possession game was always going to come unstuck in the wet, so you can't blame the players for not "putting in a better effort for Melb fans".

[lescygnes]

well well well, somethings never change

bad umpiring against the swans AND swans supporters from both grand villes d'Australie are at each others throats. well some of them.

having grown up in Melbourne and spent a large chunk of my life in Sydney, can we all get over it????

just for the record, this former Sydney based Swans supporter loved trekking down south and mixing it with the Melbourne based supporters, some of whom I have a great deal of time for.

we all support the same club kids, lets leave the rhetoric and the loathing for people who deserve it. namely umpires, carlton and collingwood supporters.

love from sunny Vancouver
John

[treespirit]

Originally posted by lizz
How could we not realise. We've been told often enough.

Being told, and understanding what you are told, are not the same thing.

I have deliberately not commented on this before, but it is clear that some people do not understand, and that is my point on the issue.

To answer another question: Do I expect the team to put un 100% in every game? No. That would not be human. I would love to see it, of course, but I don't expect it.

[Tooth Fairy]

Originally posted by CureTheSane
Although that sounds like a bitter comment, I tend to agree.

I am sick of all the Melbourne people whining about the lack of games.

Do something constructive at the end of the season when it matters, rather than now when the draw is set in stone...

Perhaps you should practice what you preach? And if you do then may all my blessings go out to you and yours.

[Tooth Fairy]

Originally posted by Bear
I totally agree there should have been a better performance in what was an important game for the club.

I think some take the comments out of context a little.

Just as (say) the first ever game at Homebush needed a really big effort for 'the club', so did this one. It was a big stage against a Melbourne power, at the home of football, and in front of adoring fans that had not seen their team in 6 months.

If you can't understand that then fine but don't turn the comments into something they are not.

exactly! but I do admit, that when I read the tree's post, I thought "Oh **** here we go again. There will be a lot of backlash from the sympathisers."

edit: Oh and btw, I understand that the swans tried their best and it just wasn't good enough on the day alas. And I can also understand what tree is disappointed about. I guess I'm actually a listener and an empath rather than a perceived mover and a shaker (end of Tooth's Philosophy 101)

[CureTheSane]

Originally posted by Tooth Fairy
Perhaps you should practice what you preach? And if you do then may all my blessings go out to you and yours.

I'll tell you what...

I will email Tony Morwood at the end of the season and let him know that I want more games in Melbourne.

I will also email the AFL.

If we don't get more, I will have a whinge for a little bit, but then I will get over it and do the same at the end of next season.

Seriously, I would hate to be going through 2004 so bitter about the number of games here.

Take Geelong for instance
Iam not very impressed having to travel to Geelong, and then pay extra for a seat.
So I won't be going in all likelyhood.
But I knew that when I paid for my membership, so ther eis no point crying about it now.

[Schneidergirl]

This is driving me crazy!!!!!

BTW... if Sydney have LESS home games next year, I'm positive there will be a bigger uproar from Sydney supporters than there are from Melb supporters. Since the club is a SYDNEY club!

[ScottH]

I don't mind where the games are played as long as we have the opportunity to see them, without having to subscribe to bloody Foxtel.

It would be good to have less Interstate games(.ie WA, SA) and a couple more at the G.

But we need the games in Sydney to keep the homeground advantage (when we use) and to entice more Syndey Supporters(ie. Larger Membership).

[CureTheSane]

I don't mind where the games are played as long as we have the opportunity to see them, without having to subscribe to bloody Foxtel.

too right

[robbieando]

Originally posted by Schneidergirl
This is driving me crazy!!!!!

BTW... if Sydney have LESS home games next year, I'm positive there will be a bigger uproar from Sydney supporters than there are from Melb supporters. Since the club is a SYDNEY club!

How can you have less home games. You'll get your normal 11 home matches and that won't change. If the Bulldogs move their home match back to Melbourne what can you do, after all the Bulldogs ARE a Melbourne club.

[stellation]

bloody hell, I was really just half-joking

But if we are talking about the good of the club and the boys are to lift for a H&A game (looking just at the game day itself, not ladder etc.) surely it would be in the games out at Homebush to put on a good show for the largest potential membership base?

But I agree it must have been very frustrating to finally get a chance to see the boys play and watch a mediocre performance.