Enki
2 May 2009, 16:15
A few days ago I read this (http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/rfnews/its-the-kickers-not-the-ticker/2009/04/29/1240982277580.html) article by Jake Niall and found myself agreeing with it for the most part.
Quite coincidently I read this (http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/rfnews/kamikazes-fly-the-flag/2009/05/01/1240982409569.html) one by Nathan Buckley a couple of days later, espousing what amounts to a diametrically oppossed view. I usually like Buckley's articles and having read Niall's a few days prior I could help but compairing the two distinct viewpoints. I would recommend reading both in full, but the final paragraph of each provides good insight into where they are coming from:
Niall wrote:
Decrying a lack of courage or character is the natural emotive response to any defeat. But it is often wrong. The game is called football.
Buckley wrote:
So do you want to win or not? Well, to a man, be a kamikaze and put your body on the line, because without that, all the skill in the world won't win you the big games.
So who you think is right? I have accused Essendon of letting teams like Carlton and Collingwood make games look closer than they should have because of our poor skills. Obviously you need both skill and toughness (and neither writer denies this), but I feel we are entering an age where Niall's analysis is more accurate than Buckley's old school view.
Thoughts?
Quite coincidently I read this (http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/rfnews/kamikazes-fly-the-flag/2009/05/01/1240982409569.html) one by Nathan Buckley a couple of days later, espousing what amounts to a diametrically oppossed view. I usually like Buckley's articles and having read Niall's a few days prior I could help but compairing the two distinct viewpoints. I would recommend reading both in full, but the final paragraph of each provides good insight into where they are coming from:
Niall wrote:
Decrying a lack of courage or character is the natural emotive response to any defeat. But it is often wrong. The game is called football.
Buckley wrote:
So do you want to win or not? Well, to a man, be a kamikaze and put your body on the line, because without that, all the skill in the world won't win you the big games.
So who you think is right? I have accused Essendon of letting teams like Carlton and Collingwood make games look closer than they should have because of our poor skills. Obviously you need both skill and toughness (and neither writer denies this), but I feel we are entering an age where Niall's analysis is more accurate than Buckley's old school view.
Thoughts?