Was this the Kick up the Arse we Needed

[LostDoggy]

Re: Was this the Kick up the Arse we Needed

I watched most games on the weekend, our game was of high quality to the rest of the comp. Slow getting out of the blocks, a problem we suffered from last year, but even though we lost, I believe we are heading in the right direction. As Richo suggested on the wekend, Dale Morris was a bigger loss than we think!

[Mofra]

Re: Was this the Kick up the Arse we Needed

Yes.

I'm not going to get carried away by a round 1 loss to a possible grand finalist; we played awfully yet still managed to work our way into the match in the 3rd quarter. Our workrate was well down and flu or not we have been given a wake up call. Heaven help Richmond this weekend.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Was this the Kick up the Arse we Needed

Yes, but we shouldn't need one.

Having said that, 20/21 win seasons only come along every so often, I'm not greedy, we don't need the perfect season, just the perfect series, and even then, it doesn't even have to be undefeated as long as we win the bloody Grannie (I don't think Brisbane ever finished H&A top 2 in their three-peat years).

I mean, if we're only going to beat Collingwood once this year I'd rather it be closer to the pointy end than in Round 1.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Was this the Kick up the Arse we Needed

Yes, I think it was. I have posted on another thread that this was a reality check. Like it or not, the media has hyped us up this last 2 weeks, and whilst we (see players) should be mature enough to ignore it, it must be very difficult for all concerned. Don't they say footy is played 90% above the shoulders? One game does not define a season........ someone needs to tell those Pie supporters this!

[LostDoggy]

Re: Was this the Kick up the Arse we Needed

Of course when we lose we will still all look for a positive. But for me, winning wouldve been beneficial to keep up our confidence and keep it up throughtout the whole year.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Was this the Kick up the Arse we Needed

If we need a kick up the arse, I'm very concerned.

Surely by now the playing group are aware that the only way we are going to win games is when we work our butts off defensively.

We haven't achieved anything yet (winning the NAB Cup is nice, but in the scheme of things it means nothing) and there is a lot of hard work to be done to get ourselves back into the Top 4, and give ourselves a chance at the GF.

It won't just happen. I'd be shocked if the players were under any illusions that it would 'just happen'. No clear answer at my end (and I haven't seen the game, so not sure how much I really know at this point) but it's very worrying that it seems a large portion of the team just didn't rock up to play and apply themselves in the manner they have to, (and know they have to!), to win games - especially games against other high quality sides.

Defensive pressure and work rate are non-negotiable. We are meant to be a mature side, yet we are up and down, up and down. I felt the finals last year we showed some maturity and signs of moving on from these sort of performances, but apparently not.

I have to agree here, hopefully a minor glitch or a bit of flu etc. We need to show consistent form and WORKRATE across the board.