They're not trying!

[Sockeye Salmon]

My pet hate is supporters accusing players of not trying.

Of course they're trying - these guys are pretty proud and their reputations (and possibly careers) are on the line.

SEN interviewed the Collingwood fitness guy this afternoon regarding the use of GPS and heart monitors. He said that the data showed that the Collingwood players ran as hard in the Brisbane thrashing than they have in any other game.

Lots of things went wrong for them but the effort was as high as it ever is.

I do remember Eade saying after the Sydney loss that the GPS data told them that some guys hadn't worked as hard as they otherwise might have but I think the Collingwood example shows that there's other, more important factors than simply effort.

[GVGjr]

Pet hate of mine as well. Add the expression that the club/players/supporters are accepting mediocrity as another as well.

Saying that the players don't try is just an easy excuse by those who don't know how to deal with a loss.
I'd like to know if the same people making the accusations that the players don't try are placed under the same level of scrutiny in their own professional life. Somehow I doubt it.

[LostDoggy]

What about "I paid my membership I'm allowed to bag our own players as much as I want"

[bornadog]

Most teams have similiar level of players in regards to skill level, but the biggest difference, besides experience, injuries etc is mental toughness. When people say not trying, of course thats not true, but what is true is their mental attitude and tougness is down.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Most teams have similiar level of players in regards to skill level, but the biggest difference, besides experience, injuries etc is mental toughness. When people say not trying, of course thats not true, but what is true is their mental attitude and tougness is down.

But the Collingwood guy was saying that in their game against Brisbane the players covered as much ground, with the usual split of walk-jog-sprint and had the usual number of collisions.

The difference was in skill level and decision making.

[bornadog]

But the Collingwood guy was saying that in their game against Brisbane the players covered as much ground, with the usual split of walk-jog-sprint and had the usual number of collisions.

The difference was in skill level and decision making.

The difference in skill level could be the difference between the experienced players and the younger players. I still believe whats inside their heads plays a big part in the difference between teams and how they play as a team. As they say a team of champions will always struggle against a champion team. Come to think of it, we have had so many injuries in the midfield that we are struggling to work as a team.

[Go_Dogs]

Exactly right SS, these guys are fully trained professional athletes who take it pretty damn seriously and do everything they can to win. They spend their lives conditioning themselves for it, and countless hours practicing the execution.

I would say though, at times in the Geelong game for example, the players did lose a bit of vigor and almost seemed a bit despondent at times. It wasn't a complete ramble is in they had just about totally given up ala Richmond against us opening round last year, but IMO and experiences sometimes when you are horribly up against it, and exhausted, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain the level of performance that you want to.

It's as much about mental application as anything, and I think it's an area that we still need to get stronger in as a team. It could possibly help us finish teams off too, which we've struggled to do this year, just a willingness to keep going harder and faster no matter what.

[Mantis]

Exactly right SS, these guys are fully trained professional athletes who take it pretty damn seriously and do everything they can to win. They spend their lives conditioning themselves for it, and countless hours practicing the execution.

I would say though, at times in the Geelong game for example, the players did lose a bit of vigor and almost seemed a bit despondent at times. It wasn't a complete ramble is in they had just about totally given up ala Richmond against us opening round last year, but IMO and experiences sometimes when you are horribly up against it, and exhausted, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain the level of performance that you want to.

It's as much about mental application as anything, and I think it's an area that we still need to get stronger in as a team. It could possibly help us finish teams off too, which we've struggled to do this year, just a willingness to keep going harder and faster no matter what.

So when does it turn around?

I have been waiting all my life to watch a Bulldog's team that is mentally tough. A team that as a whole does not give in, a team that will push itself to the the limit and then some and a team that has the desire within to strive for something great. I have seen players within the team that are that focused, but generallly it's only a few. I look at Cross, Boyd and Morris and a few others and I don't see that burning desire, but it don't get from too many others.

So when and how is this mental application going to improve?

In the team at present I see a lot of mentally weak players who when things are going bad look for the easy and safe option. Too many of out players when we are struggling worry about the individual and not the team. When is going to change?

[bornadog]

So when does it turn around?

I have been waiting all my life to watch a Bulldog's team that is mentally tough. A team that as a whole does not give in, a team that will push itself to the the limit and then some and a team that has the desire within to strive for something great. I have seen players within the team that are that focused, but generallly it's only a few. I look at Cross, Boyd and Morris and a few others and I don't see that burning desire, but it don't get from too many others.

So when and how is this mental application going to improve?

In the team at present I see a lot of mentally weak players who when things are going bad look for the easy and safe option. Too many of out players when we are struggling worry about the individual and not the team. When is going to change?

Is that a coaching issue? How do you build up mental toughness? Do we need specialist in that area and not just skills coaches?

[Bulldog Revolution]

Is that a coaching issue? How do you build up mental toughness? Do we need specialist in that area and not just skills coaches?

Its partially a coaching issue. Asking how to build up mental toughness assumes that you can build it up. Some would argue that you either have it or you dont.

I think we do need some specialist input in that area - do we have any input from a sport psychologist these days? does anyone know?

[Bulldog Revolution]

Sockeye - good thread

Add the expression that the club/players/supporters are accepting mediocrity as another as well.
.

Thats an all time classic used to justify the ridiculous by our supporters

What about "I paid my membership I'm allowed to bag our own players as much as I want".

Quality ernie:

This one always irritates me - I just dont believe clubs experience success or get good performances out of players who cop a lot from supporters. To me the definition is someone who supports.

What about the classic?
If they do that then I'll cut up my membership - sure go ahead because a real supporter wouldn't do that

[Dry Rot]

Sounds like they were trying tonight.

[bornadog]

Its partially a coaching issue. Asking how to build up mental toughness assumes that you can build it up. Some would argue that you either have it or you dont.

I think we do need some specialist input in that area - do we have any input from a sport psychologist these days? does anyone know?

We have a partnership with Victoria University and work with their Sports Science department. Not sure if that also involves pyschologists?