Sharp Axes

[SonofScray]

Re: Sharp Axes

People on social media talking about tearing their memberships up are not real supporters.

I won’t be renewing my membership at this point. It’s the only avenue I have to communicate just how disappointed and angry I am.

I’ve coughed up through much worse performances and eras, coughed up for nothing in the pandemic. If Bevo has an endless line of credit as a Premiership coach, I’m going to give myself a pass on this front until he is gone. If that makes me not a real supporter, so be it.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Sharp Axes

I won?t be renewing my membership at this point. It?s the only avenue I have to communicate just how disappointed and angry I am.

I?ve coughed up through much worse performances and eras, coughed up for nothing in the pandemic. If Bevo has an endless line of credit as a Premiership coach, I?m going to give myself a pass on this front until he is gone. If that makes me not a real supporter, so be it.

I wrote a published research paper a long time ago. This is fairly common, normal and sensible. If this is the only lever you have to express directly to club your dissatisfaction then it?s your right.

A very, very, very long time ago, there was a thing called the ?blue flu? in the police force. Under constant mismanagement and mistreatment the only lever some station members had was to call in sick in large numbers to draw attention to the very dangerous risks being forced upon members. It?s not ideal, but if you have limited means by which to protest then you take what you have to try to get the change you want/need.

You?re on here every day with the tragics wishing for a brighter future. That makes you as real and invested as any supporter. More so even.

[Sedat]

Re: Sharp Axes

We entered round 11 with five wins in a row and 7-3 record after our horror 0-2 start. We had corrected. I felt confident. We looked ready to have a proper assaults on the final four.

From round 11.

Round 11- lose to Suns by 7 (after getting out to a 20 point lead)
Round 12 - lose to Cats by 22 (after being two goals up in the 3rd quarter)
Round 13 - lose to Port by 22
Round 14 - beat North by 21
Round 15 - beat Freo by 29
Round 16 - lose to Pies by 12 (after getting out to a 20 point lead)
Round 17 - lose to Swans by 2 (after getting out to a 19 point lead)
Round 18 - beat Dons by 41
Round 19 - lose to GWS by 5 (after getting out to a 35 point lead)
Round 20 - beat Tigers by 55
Round 21 - lose to Hawks by 3 (after getting out to a 20 point lead twice)

That is four wins in the last eleven weeks. Wins only against North, Freo, Tigers and Dons who are basically shot. Nothing to really celebrate.

That is seven losses. In every single one of those losses we have been in a winning position at some point. We just can't get the job done at the moment. Three losses by less than a goal. Another by 7 points. Another by 12 points. That is five of the seven losses by less than two goals.

After what I saw against Hawthorn and basically another period where we went completely missing for 45 minutes and could not even touch the ball which comes down to effort and concentration, my patience has finally been extinguished. Everything was on the line. The entire season. We go missing. We go missing again.

My view has shifted. We need to put a bomb under the place and blow it up. Serious questions need to be asked. We need a proper review and no ones position should be safe. If we have to go one step backwards to go two forward so be it. We are going no where at the moment.

The record since Round 11 speaks for itself. We have serious issues. Every time we turn the corner, I have given the group the benefit of doubt and then they let let us down again.

I'm all in on a proper and comprehensive end of season review, but it can wait until 2023 is run and done. The reality is that we are still a better chance than not to make finals (no thanks at all to us, rather the wastefulness of those immediately below us on the ladder). You always want to make finals and test yourself against the best teams in the intensity of September footy. The players and the coaches need to do everything they can to settle on our optimum line-up get on with the job in the next 2 weeks and then see where the cards fall. It's an open season and I'd still rather we make it and give ourselves the opportunity than not.

If we miss out it will be a savage failure based on our own internal expectation and metrics. Game plan, personnel, recruiting and player development, coaching group, fitness & conditioning, everything is on the table for intense review.

[angelopetraglia]

Re: Sharp Axes

I'm all in on a proper and comprehensive end of season review, but it can wait until 2023 is run and done. The reality is that we are still a better chance than not to make finals (no thanks at all to us, rather the wastefulness of those immediately below us on the ladder). You always want to make finals and test yourself against the best teams in the intensity of September footy. The players and the coaches need to do everything they can to settle on our optimum line-up get on with the job in the next 2 weeks and then see where the cards fall. It's an open season and I'd still rather we make it and give ourselves the opportunity than not.

If we miss out it will be a savage failure based on our own internal expectation and metrics. Game plan, personnel, recruiting and player development, coaching group, fitness & conditioning, everything is on the table for intense review.

Agree with that. Try your hardest for the next two weeks. I have just lost complete faith. When the inevitable happens and our season is finished.

A full comprehensive review that leaves no stone must take place. All the difficult questions must be asked.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Sharp Axes

I won’t be renewing my membership at this point. It’s the only avenue I have to communicate just how disappointed and angry I am.

I’ve coughed up through much worse performances and eras, coughed up for nothing in the pandemic. If Bevo has an endless line of credit as a Premiership coach, I’m going to give myself a pass on this front until he is gone. If that makes me not a real supporter, so be it.

It's your right to do so mate. I feel like an accompanying email might give it more teeth. I worry the club don't care if they lose one and gain another.

It's been a really frustrating season.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Sharp Axes

We entered round 11 with five wins in a row and 7-3 record after our horror 0-2 start. We had corrected. I felt confident. We looked ready to have a proper assaults on the final four.

From round 11.

Round 11- lose to Suns by 7 (after getting out to a 20 point lead)
Round 12 - lose to Cats by 22 (after being two goals up in the 3rd quarter)
Round 13 - lose to Port by 22
Round 14 - beat North by 21
Round 15 - beat Freo by 29
Round 16 - lose to Pies by 12 (after getting out to a 20 point lead)
Round 17 - lose to Swans by 2 (after getting out to a 19 point lead)
Round 18 - beat Dons by 41
Round 19 - lose to GWS by 5 (after getting out to a 35 point lead)
Round 20 - beat Tigers by 55
Round 21 - lose to Hawks by 3 (after getting out to a 20 point lead twice)

That is four wins in the last eleven weeks. Wins only against North, Freo, Tigers and Dons who are basically shot. Nothing to really celebrate.

That is seven losses. In every single one of those losses we have been in a winning position at some point. We just can't get the job done at the moment. Three losses by less than a goal. Another by 7 points. Another by 12 points. That is five of the seven losses by less than two goals.

After what I saw against Hawthorn and basically another period where we went completely missing for 45 minutes and could not even touch the ball which comes down to effort and concentration, my patience has finally been extinguished. Everything was on the line. The entire season. We go missing. We go missing again.

My view has shifted. We need to put a bomb under the place and blow it up. Serious questions need to be asked. We need a proper review and no ones position should be safe. If we have to go one step backwards to go two forward so be it. We are going no where at the moment.

The record since Round 11 speaks for itself. We have serious issues. Every time we turn the corner, I have given the group the benefit of doubt and then they let let us down again.

Pretty grim.

We'd be close to bottom 4 on the form ladder.

[Sedat]

Re: Sharp Axes

Agree with that. Try your hardest for the next two weeks. I have just lost complete faith. When the inevitable happens and our season is finished.

A full comprehensive review that leaves no stone must take place. All the difficult questions must be asked.

They are a conditional group and have shown a remarkable consistency to be inconsistent since the 2021 GF - not just week to week but in game. I suspect this playing group (and possibly coaches as well) are mentally shot from the 2021 GF capitulation, and I also have concerns the coaching group are not 100% buttoned up with regard to latest game trends and are still relying on overall talent over structure. Either that or they are giving too much license to the players to break away from the structure, or they are giving players too many opportunities when they fail to play within structure - I don't know, but something is clearly amiss and there is a major disconnect. We are consistently conceding far too many damaging run-ons in game for this to be swept under the carpet. It feels like we are an overly emotional team, and the problem with playing on emotion is that it lacks consistency and is prone to damaging lapses (as well as scintillating periods of dominance).

Irrespective, our own expectations are that we are a top 4 team and in contention. Time for everyone involved (including players) to be held accountable to this expectation.

[jeemak]

Re: Sharp Axes

We are in real danger of scapegoating if the season ends with no finals and a coach out the door.

A new voice and the longest allowable preseason will possibly give us a burst for the new season, but it'll just be papering over structural and attitudinal issues with the playing group.

A lack of focus on individual players and their roles in this is something that I hope the club isn't guilty of. They need to get their shit together because only they can decide on the ground if they want to stick a tackle, if they want to chase, if they want to put their heads over the ball in a contest, and if they want to have a ruck kick-out comedically or if they want to revert to the last play in the game training they'd have no doubt done time and again.

If we're sacking coaches and adjusting the football department, then we need to do the same with our playing leadership and core because they're letting us down dreadfully at present. A coach can only do so much, and this group of players has form. APs representation of the results says it all. Apparently the coaching was good enough to get us a lead, but apparently not good enough to maintain or build on it. Sure, but there's a common denominator in all of this and that needs to be the focus just as much as anything else.

[Sedat]

Re: Sharp Axes

We are in real danger of scapegoating if the season ends with no finals and a coach out the door.

A new voice and the longest allowable preseason will possibly give us a burst for the new season, but it'll just be papering over structural and attitudinal issues with the playing group.

A lack of focus on individual players and their roles in this is something that I hope the club isn't guilty of. They need to get their shit together because only they can decide on the ground if they want to stick a tackle, if they want to chase, if they want to put their heads over the ball in a contest, and if they want to have a ruck kick-out comedically or if they want to revert to the last play in the game training they'd have no doubt done time and again.

If we're sacking coaches and adjusting the football department, then we need to do the same with our playing leadership and core because they're letting us down dreadfully at present. A coach can only do so much, and this group of players has form. APs representation of the results says it all. Apparently the coaching was good enough to get us a lead, but apparently not good enough to maintain or build on it. Sure, but there's a common denominator in all of this and that needs to be the focus just as much as anything else.

100% spot-on. This is not solely a player issue and it is not solely a coaching issue. There is obvious accountability in both areas. If the club thinks making a senior coaching change is all that is required, that would be naive thinking in the extreme. Patterns and trends in our game are obvious and concerning and have been for a couple of years. The reasons need to be soberly assessed in full at the end of the season, otherwise we are not a serious organisation.

[ReLoad]

Re: Sharp Axes

We entered round 11 with five wins in a row and 7-3 record after our horror 0-2 start. We had corrected. I felt confident. We looked ready to have a proper assaults on the final four.

From round 11.

Round 11- lose to Suns by 7 (after getting out to a 20 point lead)
Round 12 - lose to Cats by 22 (after being two goals up in the 3rd quarter)
Round 13 - lose to Port by 22
Round 14 - beat North by 21
Round 15 - beat Freo by 29
Round 16 - lose to Pies by 12 (after getting out to a 20 point lead)
Round 17 - lose to Swans by 2 (after getting out to a 19 point lead)
Round 18 - beat Dons by 41
Round 19 - lose to GWS by 5 (after getting out to a 35 point lead)
Round 20 - beat Tigers by 55
Round 21 - lose to Hawks by 3 (after getting out to a 20 point lead twice)

That is four wins in the last eleven weeks. Wins only against North, Freo, Tigers and Dons who are basically shot. Nothing to really celebrate.

That is seven losses. In every single one of those losses we have been in a winning position at some point. We just can't get the job done at the moment. Three losses by less than a goal. Another by 7 points. Another by 12 points. That is five of the seven losses by less than two goals.

After what I saw against Hawthorn and basically another period where we went completely missing for 45 minutes and could not even touch the ball which comes down to effort and concentration, my patience has finally been extinguished. Everything was on the line. The entire season. We go missing. We go missing again.

My view has shifted. We need to put a bomb under the place and blow it up. Serious questions need to be asked. We need a proper review and no ones position should be safe. If we have to go one step backwards to go two forward so be it. We are going no where at the moment.

The record since Round 11 speaks for itself. We have serious issues. Every time we turn the corner, I have given the group the benefit of doubt and then they let let us down again.

5% that's all we need to be better. 5% better and were in the top 4.

As others have said The most frustrating and infuriating part is that we've not only been close, but we've been in winning positions. The GF of '21 has placed some sort of capitulation curse on us.

No doubt we need to make some significant coaching changes, no doubt in my mind were not setup correctly in the coaches box, with our front man clearly burnt out.

[angelopetraglia]

Re: Sharp Axes

5% that's all we need to be better. 5% better and were in the top 4.

As others have said The most frustrating and infuriating part is that we've not only been close, but we've been in winning positions. The GF of '21 has placed some sort of capitulation curse on us.

No doubt we need to make some significant coaching changes, no doubt in my mind were not setup correctly in the coaches box, with our front man clearly burnt out.

Yes. Reminds me of this famous speech.

Because in either game - life or football - the margin for error is so small. I mean, one half a step too late or too early and you don't quite make it. One half second too slow, too fast and you don't quite catch it. The inches we need are everywhere around us. They're in every break of the game, every minute, every second. On this team we fight for that inch. On this team we tear ourselves and everyone else around us to pieces for that inch. We claw with our fingernails for that inch. Because we know when add up all those inches, that's gonna make the ****ing difference between winning and losing! Between living and dying!

Is this team currently fighting for that inch?

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Sharp Axes

We are in real danger of scapegoating if the season ends with no finals and a coach out the door.

A new voice and the longest allowable preseason will possibly give us a burst for the new season, but it'll just be papering over structural and attitudinal issues with the playing group.

A lack of focus on individual players and their roles in this is something that I hope the club isn't guilty of. They need to get their shit together because only they can decide on the ground if they want to stick a tackle, if they want to chase, if they want to put their heads over the ball in a contest, and if they want to have a ruck kick-out comedically or if they want to revert to the last play in the game training they'd have no doubt done time and again.

If we're sacking coaches and adjusting the football department, then we need to do the same with our playing leadership and core because they're letting us down dreadfully at present. A coach can only do so much, and this group of players has form. APs representation of the results says it all. Apparently the coaching was good enough to get us a lead, but apparently not good enough to maintain or build on it. Sure, but there's a common denominator in all of this and that needs to be the focus just as much as anything else.

Yep. Everyone and everything should be looked at. What’s the worst that happens, we confirm they’re the right people in a job doing the right thing. Best case, we identify better people to do certain jobs &/or do them in a better way. No one should fear scrutiny except those who shouldn’t be there anymore. On field, off field, board room or anywhere in the club structure.

[Bornadog]

Re: Sharp Axes

I won’t be renewing my membership at this point. It’s the only avenue I have to communicate just how disappointed and angry I am.

I’ve coughed up through much worse performances and eras, coughed up for nothing in the pandemic. If Bevo has an endless line of credit as a Premiership coach, I’m going to give myself a pass on this front until he is gone. If that makes me not a real supporter, so be it.

That is your choice.

Like many on here I have seen our club almost merged to nothing, I have seen the club on it's knees begging for money, begging for supporters. Senior club managers walking the streets of Footscray in the industrial parks knocking on business doors to get money, sponsorship to support a local club.

We have now built a club that is financially viable and thank god we don't have to do that grovelling anymore.

If people want to punish the club by not sticking through thick and thin the danger is it will come back to bite us along the line. Could be lack of money for footy department, or having the worse facilities in the AFL, etc

I don't get it why?

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Sharp Axes

That is your choice.

Like many on here I have seen our club almost merged to nothing, I have seen the club on it's knees begging for money, begging for supporters. Senior club managers walking the streets of Footscray in the industrial parks knocking on business doors to get money, sponsorship to support a local club.

We have now built a club that is financially viable and thank god we don't have to do that grovelling anymore.

If people want to punish the club by not sticking through thick and thin the danger is it will come back to bite us along the line. Could be lack of money for footy department, or having the worse facilities in the AFL, etc

I don't get it why?

I’m not religious and I don’t have kids.

But if I went to church every Sunday and god struck down my kid with cancer I might stop buying into “everything is gods plan and it happens for reason” sermons each week and stop contributing to church coffers to have it rammed down my throat further. I might want a more rounded nuanced explanation about things or changes in message delivery. Perhaps my holding out gets the message through to the minister/vicar.

But I don’t have blind faith, so I guess that’s my sin. Ah well, time to meet Kurt Cobain, I have lots of questions.

[Bornadog]

Re: Sharp Axes

I’m not religious and I don’t have kids.

But if I went to church every Sunday and god struck down my kid with cancer I might stop buying into “everything is gods plan and it happens for reason” sermons each week and stop contributing to church coffers to have it rammed down my throat further.

But I don’t have blind faith, so I guess that’s my sin. Ah well, time to meet Kurt Cobain, I have lots of questions.

Membership is not just about getting tickets to a game. It is more than that.

If people want to join when we win, fine and not join when we lose fine. I actually don't get that attitude.