A Message From Brendan McCartney -April 17th

[azabob]

Re: A Message From Brendan McCartney -April 17th

Again, they're different situations. In that other thread I was talking about how words in a press conference can convey one's conviction and mindset, and that they should match the 'closed door' discussions. This instance is referring to making veiled references/threats to players in a letter intended for the general public. My point, which clearly few understand, is that the "letter to the fans" should simply convey his thoughts on the team overall, and specific messages be given directly to those concerned.

Andrew, who is the press conference for, if not the general public?

[westdog54]

Re: A Message From Brendan McCartney -April 17th

Again, they're different situations. In that other thread I was talking about how words in a press conference can convey one's conviction and mindset, and that they should match the 'closed door' discussions. This instance is referring to making veiled references/threats to players in a letter intended for the general public. My point, which clearly few understand, is that the "letter to the fans" should simply convey his thoughts on the team overall, and specific messages be given directly to those concerned.

That may be how you intended it but it certainly isn't how it came across, and quite frankly I still don't believe that the two are as distinctive as you do.

[AndrewP6]

Re: A Message From Brendan McCartney -April 17th

That may be how you intended it but it certainly isn't how it came across, and quite frankly I still don't believe that the two are as distinctive as you do.

Fair enough, let's agree to disagree and move on.

[westdog54]

Re: A Message From Brendan McCartney -April 17th

Fair enough, let's agree to disagree and move on.

Agreed.

As far as the letter goes I'll take it as a positive sign that the Coach is willing to speak as directly as he can to the members of the club and that he isn't shying away from the awfulness that was Saturday night.

[AndrewP6]

Re: A Message From Brendan McCartney -April 17th

Agreed.

As far as the letter goes I'll take it as a positive sign that the Coach is willing to speak as directly as he can to the members of the club and that he isn't shying away from the awfulness that was Saturday night.

Yeah I don't mind the idea of the letters themselves, at least they're trying to engage people in the Club.

[jeemak]

Re: A Message From Brendan McCartney -April 17th

That's so subjective. Is Marco worse than Ryan Schoenmaker?
Pick any forward player of the same age, height and number of games played as Liam Jones. Such a huge gap?
Djekurra has had such limited opportunities in the past, are you really ready to shelve him already?
Gia has been in the system a while. While he may not be in Geelong squad, I'm sure there are a lot of middle tier teams he would get a go in. Good honest player, goal-a-game type.
Gia is worse than any similar type players at Port? Melbourne, Richmond? He's better than a lot of players at those clubs.

Dude cheer up! You'll feel better when we smash Melbourne. ( fingers crossed)

Would Brad Johnson have kicked 70 goals in 2006 if he was the second string target, or the third?

I remember on BF a bit earlier than this time last year there was a debate on the main board about whether Robert Murphy would get a game in Collingwood's starting 22. I was absolutely amazed at how many people thought he wouldn't. Whilst I understand that many people who post on that site don't have much of an idea about broader football matters beyond their own team, it showed me how ingnorant people can be towards the contribution players can make to a side, when that side is performing well.

Guys like Higgins and Giansiracusa would easily slot in to any side in the competition. They are both players that thrive on good delivery and being players who are in position to offer a second or third option to a more dominant taller forward/forwards. That's why they're more valuable in a team performing well, than one that is performing badly.

Fix the back half and midfield and then all of our forwards will perform better. If we want guys like Giansiracusa and Higgins to perfrom whilst playing the hardest positions on the ground in modern football (medium sized forwards that are second or third options) then we need to clean up our delivery to them.

We can keep smashing these two right now, or somebody like Grant, but I'd love to see how well Paul Chapman and Stevie Johnson would go in a side that moves the ball as horribly and slowly as we do. It's all relative, and in today's game it all starts from a back half that needs to be supported by the midfield.

A little of topic, sorry.

As for Brendan's message, I'd prefer he kept it to once every three or four games. If we keep performing poorly he's going to run out of things to say sooner rather than later.

[LongWait]

Re: A Message From Brendan McCartney -April 17th

As for Brendan's message, I'd prefer he kept it to once every three or four games. If we keep performing poorly he's going to run out of things to say sooner rather than later.

I appreciate the communication after each game and suspect that I'm not alone.

If the coach runs out of meaningful and informative things to say each week (regardless of the team's performance) then we have made a terrible blunder and have appointed a moron as coach. McCartney appears to be anything but a moron and is highly regarded in the AFL community.

[LostDoggy]

Re: A Message From Brendan McCartney -April 17th

The bold bit seemed a bit odd to me. He's only been there, what, six months? Which 'days' is he talking about?

Perhaps the 58 years between our last flag and today?

It's poor form if it is. That sort of stuff should be done behind closed doors, and face to face.

Transparency = good. I don't mean to cause offense, and I really value your opinions, as you know, but I think on matters of the coach you're terribly biased against him, Andrew.

Fair point. Misinterpreted what I read originally...apologies. I think last week there was a bit more scepticism about the quality/information in McCartney's message.

I've been really impressed with the standard of communication this year, and the improvements in Bulldogs TV, Twitter etc. Much better fan engagement.

Absolutely. This is one area the Dogs are getting right this year.

I appreciate the communication after each game and suspect that I'm not alone.

If the coach runs out of meaningful and informative things to say each week (regardless of the team's performance) then we have made a terrible blunder and have appointed a moron as coach. McCartney appears to be anything but a moron and is highly regarded in the AFL community.

I guess it all comes down to the ratio of genuine information to cliches designed to hide behind. Sometimes one can seem like the other. Very much a perception thing. Considering we were smashed by a game plan (good on their part, bad on ours), not a particular player (again, either side) and we don't know what the instructions to them were, McCartney's comments should be accepted at face value as we can't very well say otherwise.

[AndrewP6]

Re: A Message From Brendan McCartney -April 17th

Perhaps the 58 years between our last flag and today?

But the comment he made was about days when players got kicks for themselves, played for themselves, not the team. We have a long history of proud, team-oriented players, who don't fit the 'me first' description - Murph, Johnno, Granty (Chris!), Dougie, EJ to name but a few.

Transparency = good. I don't mean to cause offense, and I really value your opinions, as you know, but I think on matters of the coach you're terribly biased against him, Andrew.

Fair enough, no offence taken. I'm just calling it the way I see it.

Absolutely. This is one area the Dogs are getting right this year.

True, the digital/social media side is much better, they're making efforts to reach people.

[LostDoggy]

Re: A Message From Brendan McCartney -April 17th

I think the coach may be deluded about the quality of the list and it's ability to compete for a finals berth. Yes.
I think the president and a large number of supporters are deluded about the talent on our list. Optimism is grand, but reality has a way of smacking you in the teeth with a stainless steel hammer.

I have never once heard Brendan speak about finals, or burst out with statements that suggest this. He is always about building for finals type brands of football sure, and i think we should all be thankful that we have someone looking to develop this way. I appreciate we all want results now... I was as upset as anyone on Saturday night by the way we played together. There are good people leading this club! I think it is fantastic he writes this to members and fans. Everyone is in this together and just like he is putting "team play" into every method he speaks of, every press conference he takes, there is no individuals mentioned ( he has to be asked to name names, he doesn't speak about individuals). It is all about the team. He out of all people in the AFL cares less about individual talent than anyone else. This man is going to do good things for this club, I am very excited with the direction he is taking us and the way he is doing it. 0-3 hurts everyone who loves this club, and it is very easy for me to say things will turn out (because it is just a throw away line ) but there is a huge increase in things turning out for everyone because Brendan is our coach

[Maddog37]

Re: A Message From Brendan McCartney -April 17th

Wow. Much man love!! Are you related to Brendan?

[LostDoggy]

Re: A Message From Brendan McCartney -April 17th

Haha!! After writing that i knew I'd cop it!

[Dancin' Douggy]

Re: A Message From Brendan McCartney -April 17th

I have never once heard Brendan speak about finals, or burst out with statements that suggest this. He is always about building for finals type brands of football sure, and i think we should all be thankful that we have someone looking to develop this way. I appreciate we all want results now... I was as upset as anyone on Saturday night by the way we played together. There are good people leading this club! I think it is fantastic he writes this to members and fans. Everyone is in this together and just like he is putting "team play" into every method he speaks of, every press conference he takes, there is no individuals mentioned ( he has to be asked to name names, he doesn't speak about individuals). It is all about the team. He out of all people in the AFL cares less about individual talent than anyone else. This man is going to do good things for this club, I am very excited with the direction he is taking us and the way he is doing it. 0-3 hurts everyone who loves this club, and it is very easy for me to say things will turn out (because it is just a throw away line ) but there is a huge increase in things turning out for everyone because Brendan is our coach

I'm not trying to have a crack. But I simply refuse to buy into the 'refresh not rebuild' line.
A refresh suggests we're around the mark, but in my opinion we are miles off.
We're seeing the last of our reliable core. Our midfield (Griffen and Dalhaus aside) is slow and unskilled, or very young and inexperienced. Our two earmarked tall forwards are both Appalling set shots. Jones is a great contested mark but he doesn't lead to the right spots like a natural forward, and I just cringe as he walks in for a set shot.

Grant is an enigma wrapped in a mystery wrapped in a large praying mantis.
I don't what he is!
Our defense, even at full strength with all players in good form won't be around by the time Grant and Jones are serious mature players. Tom Williams is still an experiment. Cooney's knee is rooted. Brian's cracking up.....AAAHHH!!!!!!!! I can't take it!

So I'm right behind Macca but please PLEASE rebuild and don't refresh.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: A Message From Brendan McCartney -April 17th

Tom Williams is still an experiment. Cooney's knee is rooted. Brian's cracking up.....AAAHHH!!!!!!!! I can't take it!

So I'm right behind Macca but please PLEASE rebuild and don't refresh.

I agree with the bold bit. But the earlier statements are just hyperbole. Tom Williams is highly underrated and has had a bad run. Cooney's knee as I understand it is similar to McCloud's, who went on to have a decent career. Brian had a brain fade. 5 years before that, clean rap sheet.
Call it what you will, but we are just trying to get better, week in and week out.

[Dancin' Douggy]

Re: A Message From Brendan McCartney -April 17th

Sorry ghost dog, but it's not all just hyperbole.
Jones and Grant kick to save themselves.
Our solid reliable core of players are all very close to retirement.
Our midfield is slow and unskilled or very young and inexperienced.
(Griffen and Cooney*aside)
Tom Williams is not highly underrated. He is rated just about exactly fairly.
Has a lot of athletic potential, but due to injury and form, has never really established himself as a top player. He still plays as if he's learning the game IMHO.

*Cooney himself, and the club both admit his best is behind him.
I think his knee condition must be different to McLeod (correct spelling).
If you don't take their word........... then what does it take to convince you?

And Jarrad Grant is a giant praying mantis.

I don't see how you can challenge any of the above statements.