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It isn't really strange, it is quite predictable. And hence I am not slitting my wrists over the weekend's "effort", disappointing though it was. Even the very best teams - and yes, I know we're not there yet - have their down days and yet still bounce back. Remember how insipid the Hawks have been for their last few trips up here, including in their premiership year. Or how even the mighty Cats got slaughtered one match by a still young and developing Pies side in their all-conquering 2007 season? Or go back further - how the lowly reigning wooden spooners, the Swans, blasted Carlton one Friday night in 1995.
Of course, an inspid performance doesn't necessarily mean a team will pick themselves back up. But it certainly doesn't preclude it. And while some of the deficiencies that became so painfully obvious yesterday have been plaguing the team throughout 2011 (such as some woeful turnovers and lack of any kind of forward structure), the team has still shown enough character to beat Essendon, West Coast and the Dogs thus far.
I think it is becoming evident that the number one most important factor for success as a team is an unwavering belief and committment in the game plan. Talented players and luck with injuries are important too, but without that belief, I doubt they matter much if that belief isn't there.
Exhibits A & B - 2011 versions of St Kilda and Western Bulldogs versus their 2009-10 versions. Essentially the same players but the belief has gone.
Exhibits C & D - 2011 versions of Essendon and West Coast versus their 2010 versions. Can these two teams seriously be the same rabbles as they were in 2010. West Coast couldn't hit the side of a barn door last year and now they are slicing up the Dogs to the tune of 120+ points. Sure, Cox back fit, the developement of Naitanui and Shuey, and the recruitment of Darling have helped. But they can't completely explain why players nearly on the scrap heap a year ago, like Embley, Lynch, Nicoski, are now world beaters.
Exhibit E - the transformation of Geelong of 2006 into the Geelong of 2007
Exhibit F - the blue collar Swans of 2005 triumphing in the midfield over the far classier midfields of St Kilda and West Coast.
The Swans played some ordinary footy in 2005 and they played some ordinary footy in 2010. They also played some fantastic footy at times. Despite the players saying not much has changed this year with Longmire's appointment, I think it is evident that the team is trying to do things a little differently than last. And I don't think they all yet fully understand or believe in some aspects of what they are trying to do. In all likelihood, Longmire doesn't completely know either. And even if he does, he needs to develop the cattle to achieve this, which will take some time.
Will we win the premiership this year? Probably not. Will we play finals? I suspect we will. Will the boys play footy this season that will thrill us again? Of course. Will they frustrate the hell out of us again before it all comes together? Of that there can be no doubt.
Of course, an inspid performance doesn't necessarily mean a team will pick themselves back up. But it certainly doesn't preclude it. And while some of the deficiencies that became so painfully obvious yesterday have been plaguing the team throughout 2011 (such as some woeful turnovers and lack of any kind of forward structure), the team has still shown enough character to beat Essendon, West Coast and the Dogs thus far.
I think it is becoming evident that the number one most important factor for success as a team is an unwavering belief and committment in the game plan. Talented players and luck with injuries are important too, but without that belief, I doubt they matter much if that belief isn't there.
Exhibits A & B - 2011 versions of St Kilda and Western Bulldogs versus their 2009-10 versions. Essentially the same players but the belief has gone.
Exhibits C & D - 2011 versions of Essendon and West Coast versus their 2010 versions. Can these two teams seriously be the same rabbles as they were in 2010. West Coast couldn't hit the side of a barn door last year and now they are slicing up the Dogs to the tune of 120+ points. Sure, Cox back fit, the developement of Naitanui and Shuey, and the recruitment of Darling have helped. But they can't completely explain why players nearly on the scrap heap a year ago, like Embley, Lynch, Nicoski, are now world beaters.
Exhibit E - the transformation of Geelong of 2006 into the Geelong of 2007
Exhibit F - the blue collar Swans of 2005 triumphing in the midfield over the far classier midfields of St Kilda and West Coast.
The Swans played some ordinary footy in 2005 and they played some ordinary footy in 2010. They also played some fantastic footy at times. Despite the players saying not much has changed this year with Longmire's appointment, I think it is evident that the team is trying to do things a little differently than last. And I don't think they all yet fully understand or believe in some aspects of what they are trying to do. In all likelihood, Longmire doesn't completely know either. And even if he does, he needs to develop the cattle to achieve this, which will take some time.
Will we win the premiership this year? Probably not. Will we play finals? I suspect we will. Will the boys play footy this season that will thrill us again? Of course. Will they frustrate the hell out of us again before it all comes together? Of that there can be no doubt.
) like a box of jatz he is the great entertainer!
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