Does being a contender bring more caution as a fan?

[Hodge2Franklin]

I am just curious to see whether supporters of clubs who are perennial finalists think that the better your team is the more cautious you seem to be. For me I have been absolutely pumped about watching Clarko build our club from being real battlers to a team capable and desirous of it's 10th premiership.

But something in all that that I have found puzzling, is that the better we have got the more cautious I have been about my optimism about the coming season.

The natural thought process is that I was totally ignorant of what it took to be a great side, and now I am actually starting to get it. I am not saying Hawthorn is a great side yet, but am interested to see whether other fans of teams who have risen like the Hawks had the same thing happen.

If nothing else I am not ashamed to admit that I have a new appreciation of the difference between ordinary and great teams and how bloody hard it is to win a flag in the modern game.

[Keyser Soze]

In some ways it's the expectation of success that brings the cautious outlook.

If you believe that your side is a contender IMO you tend to worry about what might go wrong and have less patience with the team as you expect to win.

In contrast, when the side is developing you get to see positives in the way individual players are coming on regardless of the result and be happy that the team is showing signs of improvement.

[Hodge2Franklin]

Thanks KS. :)

Just for the record the kind of things I am really enjoying understanding better, is the battle to get there a bit more. I think on GF day you can see the enormous battle and effort but not really get the full picture of the struggle during the season and the battle scars the players turn up with on the day.

Loving footy at the minute. :thumbsu:

[EasternTiger]

I am just curious to see whether supporters of clubs who are perennial finalists think that the better your team is the more cautious you seem to be. For me I have been absolutely pumped about watching Clarko build our club from being real battlers to a team capable and desirous of it's 10th premiership.

You're not quite at the perennial finalists stage so cross that emotional hurdle when you get to it, and just enjoy the footy.

Is this Bay13 or Dr Phil?:confused:

[huggy_b]

I must admit I wasn't thrilled to see a lot of the panel last night tip us to finish top 2 last night. I think the weight of expectation will be a burden come the home and away season. I'd like to think we will make the top 8 and see what goes from there.

[PoidaCat]

I was suprised how relaxed I was for the GF....

The Prelim was another matter entirely. Nilly passed out from celebrating too much after the Ablett goal. Good time! :):thumbsu: Good that is was the 1 eyed, no teeth Colliwobbles.

[westdog54]

I was suprised how relaxed I was for the GF....

The Prelim was another matter entirely. Nilly passed out from celebrating too much after the Ablett goal. Good time! :):thumbsu: Good that is was the 1 eyed, no teeth Colliwobbles.
I think you guys last year were a prime example (with a few obvious exceptions) of being cautiously optimistic right throughout the season, you waited until Grand Final Day to actually celebrate.

Granted, you started celebrating at Half Time, and rightly so, but 'the lid' stayed firmly on throughout.

[boncer34]

I think you guys last year were a prime example (with a few obvious exceptions) of being cautiously optimistic right throughout the season, you waited until Grand Final Day to actually celebrate.

Granted, you started celebrating at Half Time, and rightly so, but 'the lid' stayed firmly on throughout.

You rekon? I swear they were singing 5 minutes into the 2nd quater.

[NiGHTFuRY]

There is another state of following a football side H2F
There is living in an football enigma like being a Freo' supporter.
You just live in limbo being teased with success but usually getting your hopes dashed.
One season as a favourite at the start and we bombed spectacularly.

Enjoy being a genuine flag favourite....
But it can turn quickly on you.

[Deenamite]

Round 18, 2004 and we were on top of the ladder for the first time since god knows how long. The caution kinda got lost in the excitement and then all of a sudden we lose 4 of the nest 5 games and crash pout of the finals. It pays to be cautious sometimes.

[dapto]

I am just curious to see whether supporters of clubs who are perennial finalists think that the better your team is the more cautious you seem to be.

Let me say that no clubs are perenials finalists anymore and that it is posssibly a good thing. I often wonder what Man U fans get from their success but talk to a Newcastle, liverpool person and their perspective is very engaging. Our code is wonderfully balanced to give every club the opportunity to manage success rather than purchase it or cheat for it. Hmmm, shame about the reality but the system is good.

1999 prelim final had me shaking all morning. Had a very dark feeling which came to be true but shouldn't have been justifed. This forboding feeling was because our performances were outstanding but the stage we were playing upon was changing; anything can happen. There is something in what you say there.



For me I have been absolutely pumped about watching Clarko build our club from being real battlers to a team capable and desirous of it's 10th premiership.

But something in all that that I have found puzzling, is that the better we have got the more cautious I have been about my optimism about the coming season.

The natural thought process is that I was totally ignorant of what it took to be a great side, and now I am actually starting to get it. I am not saying Hawthorn is a great side yet, but am interested to see whether other fans of teams who have risen like the Hawks had the same thing happen.

If nothing else I am not ashamed to admit that I have a new appreciation of the difference between ordinary and great teams and how bloody hard it is to win a flag in the modern game


But the real problem H2F, is that hawthorn is not in any sense a great side yet. What really have you done to date?

And to sundry, it is ridiculous that so many hawthorn supporters are banking their undoubted potential and not quietly going about the job first. Dare I say that reading some of these forums is can give a unhealthy perspective to the codes illiterate. Speculation or dreaming, neither are real.

The danger for that potential or the contender as you say, is you get a 1999, when without doubt Essendon fielded one of the most superior AFL sides and lost.

[Jafa]

I must admit, being a West Coast supporter that this year I am a good deal more relaxed about this season than I have been in a few years. It`s probably because there really isn`t that much of an expectation on us this year. It will be nice to sit back and simply watch the team develop this season where wins and losses won`t be quite so important.

I can be cautious again in another couple of years.

[Hawks1523]

I agree we aren't a great side yet, but we're not a rabble. We're improving still I believe, and should play finals football for a few years. I'm very cautious when it comes to football. I don't want to be over confident ala Peter Schwab and say we'll win a flag. But I don't want to underestimate the team, although I find myself doing it more often then not. Personally I hate being talked up about being a top 4 prospect and flag in the next few years. I'd love for it to happen, but seeing the talent and potential we have in our players, I'd have to have all that go to waste and not win a flag at all. :( So I be a tad pessimistic and treat it as another year much like our dark years under Schwab where we struggled at the bottom of the ladder. ;)

[Biffinator]

I am just curious to see whether supporters of clubs who are perennial finalists think that the better your team is the more cautious you seem to be. For me I have been absolutely pumped about watching Clarko build our club from being real battlers to a team capable and desirous of it's 10th premiership.

But something in all that that I have found puzzling, is that the better we have got the more cautious I have been about my optimism about the coming season.

The natural thought process is that I was totally ignorant of what it took to be a great side, and now I am actually starting to get it. I am not saying Hawthorn is a great side yet, but am interested to see whether other fans of teams who have risen like the Hawks had the same thing happen.

If nothing else I am not ashamed to admit that I have a new appreciation of the difference between ordinary and great teams and how bloody hard it is to win a flag in the modern game.

Hang on, this is Bay 13 isn't it?

if there is to be any hand-holding or dick-holding, can't it occur on the club-fora?

Come on H2F - put aside your Luke Hodge Inflatable Doll and its puncture-repair kit (hitherto unused, from what I hear), and get back on the M-60 where you are at your best !!!!!!

Biffinator

[BK Eaglesfan]

Absolutely agree H2F. Going into a season where every win can be celebrated just for the experience on that day, rather than ticking off the win and looking at the 'big picture' is a very different thing.

Over the last 4 years I've seen every Eagles win as part of a flag jigsaw. Even wins get analysed wondering if the run on that team x got has exposed a weakness that could come back to haunt us, being euqally as concerned about what other teams are doing because of ladder positions and home finals etc.

This year will be great to just celebrate every win for being a great day of footy.

[fishguts]

I am just curious to see whether supporters of clubs who are perennial finalists .

I'll get back to you in a year or 2;)