Unrealistic expectations

[Greggy]

My theory on why we're playing so poorly is that our expectation to play finals footy going into the first round has undermined our collective confidence.

When expectations are so demanding and high and you fail to reach those levels of perfection (Carlton match), you are left with nothing but to think your failing. If we want to be a confident team that plays risk football we need to drop all expectations as a team and play with high confidence as individuals with certain manageable team orientated goals.

The key problem is the media hype and internal pressure to succeed this year is undermining our ability to perform. We need to drop the 5 year plan crap that does nothing but compound pressure - and live in the NOW at every opportunity. Gary March has pretty much flicked the switch on the pressure guage with all this mid year coaching accessment talk.

We must make finals this year, what a load of crap. The board says we must make the finals and the coaching staff are saying to the players and media let's not look further then next week but are thinking we must make the finals or we're screwed - and the most important element - the players are caught in a pressure inducing paradox of one week at a time vs. making the finals.

I know it should always be the goal to make finals but it doesn't need to be said, nothing good can come from it when your dealing with people who have never even played in them.

If the players can't handle the pressure they shouldn't be there is an obvious answer, but is it really the answer, because the pressure they are feeling is the weight of almost 30 years of failure compounded by the small failures of losing a few matches. They shouldn't have to carry that with them.

Ok i'm starting to rant, any thoughts besides oneliners would be good.

 

[Rosstickle]

Let's just pray we don't make a grand final then. Our players would just wilt

 

[1980GFVideo]

My theory is that we havent had enough of this pressure on us.

Too many years where a pass mark is not making the finals.

Blokes in the club believing that it can all be put down to a development year.

Seriously how many rebuilding years have we had in the last ten years.

Cant believe Wallace was upset with Marchs assessment last year.

First year of his five year contract that something tangible is expected.

No one is expecting someone like Tambling to carry 30 years of expectation just to show some return on his 4 years. Brown is expected to justify his salary.

 

[getthefooty]

Whilst I think it's a perfectly realistic expectation to play finals this year, I partially agree with your sentiments. To have such a fine line - if we finish 8th with 13 wins we succeed, however if we finish 9th with 12 wins having lost in the last round by a point we fail - seems a little stupid. I too would've preferred if less of an emphasis was placed on finals, and more of an emphasis on development as a group.

 

[beaver fever]

My theory is that our list is a steaming pile of dog shit.

 

[FSUB10Y]

Whilst I think it's a perfectly realistic expectation to play finals this year, I partially agree with your sentiments. To have such a fine line - if we finish 8th with 13 wins we succeed, however if we finish 9th with 12 wins having lost in the last round by a point we fail - seems a little stupid. I too would've preferred if less of an emphasis was placed on finals, and more of an emphasis on development as a group.

Sorry, but with time comes expectation. 5 years ago, when Wallace signed on, we could all agree that the first 2-3 years would be development years. Following on from this however, expectations should come into play...expectations that we are going places, not going backwards. Yes, finishing 9th is a FAILURE, becasue when we do finish 9th, we all seem to believe that we are in fact going places and then bomb out the following year.

How long should we be in development mode for??? Another 5 years!!!!

 

[Tiger67]

My theory is that our list is a steaming pile of dog shit.

LMAO
Another well thought out and eloquently put contribution

 

[dothebowdenshuffle]

My theory is that we havent had enough of this pressure on us.

Too many years where a pass mark is not making the finals.

Blokes in the club believing that it can all be put down to a development year.

Seriously how many rebuilding years have we had in the last ten years.

Cant believe Wallace was upset with Marchs assessment last year.

First year of his five year contract that something tangible is expected.

No one is expecting someone like Tambling to carry 30 years of expectation just to show some return on his 4 years. Brown is expected to justify his salary.

I am a believer that our challenge of taking "the next step" is best done by confronting our nemesis - finals yardsticks - Geelong, Bulldogs, Hawks, Sydney, Saints etc. The more we play those teams the more we stand a chance of taking that crucial next step.

Whilst I think it's a perfectly realistic expectation to play finals this year, I partially agree with your sentiments. To have such a fine line - if we finish 8th with 13 wins we succeed, however if we finish 9th with 12 wins having lost in the last round by a point we fail - seems a little stupid. I too would've preferred if less of an emphasis was placed on finals, and more of an emphasis on development as a group.

Totally agree However, the masses are totally fixated on making finals as a measuring stick. Frankly comparing our draw in 08 to 09 I would consider 12 wins and 8th place as a fail compared to 09. Our draw in 09 is a dream draw - minimum for a pass from me is 6th/13 wins.

 

[CoggaRules]

My theory on why we're playing so poorly is that our expectation to play finals footy going into the first round has undermined our collective confidence.

When expectations are so demanding and high and you fail to reach those levels of perfection (Carlton match), you are left with nothing but to think your failing. If we want to be a confident team that plays risk football we need to drop all expectations as a team and play with high confidence as individuals with certain manageable team orientated goals.

The key problem is the media hype and internal pressure to succeed this year is undermining our ability to perform. We need to drop the 5 year plan crap that does nothing but compound pressure - and live in the NOW at every opportunity. Gary March has pretty much flicked the switch on the pressure guage with all this mid year coaching accessment talk.

We must make finals this year, what a load of crap. The board says we must make the finals and the coaching staff are saying to the players and media let's not look further then next week but are thinking we must make the finals or we're screwed - and the most important element - the players are caught in a pressure inducing paradox of one week at a time vs. making the finals.

I know it should always be the goal to make finals but it doesn't need to be said, nothing good can come from it when your dealing with people who have never even played in them.

If the players can't handle the pressure they shouldn't be there is an obvious answer, but is it really the answer, because the pressure they are feeling is the weight of almost 30 years of failure compounded by the small failures of losing a few matches. They shouldn't have to carry that with them.

Ok i'm starting to rant, any thoughts besides oneliners would be good.

I started to run 5ks a day, because this year was the most important of my coaching career. Its finals or bust, I know that.....do i go on dude? That is what our esteemed coach sat down and trundled out in a double page spread before Round 1. DO you get the picture on who you are making apologies for?