Opinion A different perspective

[1970crow]

I think that the truth is fairly obvious, we have a large group of players who have a huge sense of entitlement, when the results are there all is good, but the moment coaches hold them to account they turn on him.

The coaches have created that culture with their selection philosophy. The players are the product, not the cause.

 

[Scrogdogg]

whilst I acknowledge the trauma that the players have been through in recent years there is a time to call halt.
The more the fans in general keep looking for reasons past as factors in our poor culture, morale etc the more we legitimise not facing our current form. We need to toughen up. We are under achievers. Enough is enough.

 

[Crowked]

One thing is for sure, the campaign that Walsh started is over. The coaching group and the player list need significant change for the new, the next campaign to begin.

 

[jenny61_99]

whilst I acknowledge the trauma that the players have been through in recent years there is a time to call halt.
The more the fans in general keep looking for reasons past as factors in our poor culture, morale etc the more we legitimise not facing our current form. We need to toughen up. We are under achievers. Enough is enough.

PTSD is a very real thing. You don’t tell someone suffering from it to “toughen up”. And yes, you can suffer PTSD if someone you know suffers a violent, traumatic death. Now I’m not saying this is what has happened to our players, because I don’t know. All I’m doing is saying it COULD be a possibility. This was no ordinary death. It was a brutal murder by his son. It wasn’t a death followed by a period of mourning followed by a funeral followed by a slow return to life. It was plastered in every newspaper on every television channel on every social media for months. Westlakes became a shrine to the man. The funeral was a massive function televised live around the country. The boys were given ONE weekend off before having to return to training and then travel for the next game. There was no escape for them. Add to that the pressure they (and WE) placed on their shoulders to “get the job done”.

And yes I agree. It is time. And I think Tex has acknowledged that with standing down from the captaincy. May it be the beginning of something special for them all. Us all.

 

[Large 1]

The crows need a culture change.

I think Walsh said you are a proudest of your environment, so you should do everything you can to make your environment the best it can.

Too many players decide to leave, rather than improve their environment.

We need a player clean out and a coach to reset the culture. I would like to see a Roos or Lyon (I cant believe I’m saying this) for two years then Sam Mitchell to take over.

 

[jackster83]

Need to get blokes like Doedee (post recovery) and McHenry in the side. Blokes with energy and character who help lift those around them. It was demoralising seeing us slip back into Crowbot mode the last two years.

Similarly, I hope we use pick 3 on someone with a real presence about them (Kemp, Serong and Ash all seem to fit this bill).

 

[John Who]

PTSD is a very real thing. You don’t tell someone suffering from it to “toughen up”. And yes, you can suffer PTSD if someone you know suffers a violent, traumatic death. Now I’m not saying this is what has happened to our players, because I don’t know. All I’m doing is saying it COULD be a possibility. This was no ordinary death. It was a brutal murder by his son. It wasn’t a death followed by a period of mourning followed by a funeral followed by a slow return to life. It was plastered in every newspaper on every television channel on every social media for months. Westlakes became a shrine to the man. The funeral was a massive function televised live around the country. The boys were given ONE weekend off before having to return to training and then travel for the next game. There was no escape for them. Add to that the pressure they (and WE) placed on their shoulders to “get the job done”.

And yes I agree. It is time. And I think Tex has acknowledged that with standing down from the captaincy. May it be the beginning of something special for them all. Us all.

No doubt the traumas of the tragedies may have played a role in the negative moods of the club, particularly when we’re losing more and more from 2018 until now.

I don’t personally think PTSD is a major issue with us by the mere fact we had grown and improved gradually as a club from 2015 to 2017. To make a Grand Final is no mean feat and although the loss was disappointing, it certainly didn’t feel like we were going to be on the decline at the start of 2018.

The timing of our decline, from what I can tell, was in the middle of 2018 when the injuries all accumulated and then we lost 4 in a row, a few in humiliating results. The media then pounded us harder than ever, pursuing an all out assault in the guise of journalistic investigation without any substantial investigating at all. We somehow pulled 6 wins out of 9 by end of 2018 to bring some hope carrying onto 2019.

For various reasons, 2019 has been a complete shit show (to put it mildly), with so much inconsistencies and no real momentum whatsoever. To me, this season is a culmination of the external pressures (media and fan expectations) as well as the internal pressures built on the club’s/player’s expectations of recent Finals appearances, and the possible lingering pain of the tragedies.

Bottom line though, in 2020, the players need to want to play for a premiership just for themselves and for each other. It really should be as simple as that. Other motivations are just extra padding when it comes to basic footy objectives.

 

[Thegibbsgamble]

What else do you thinks going to happen when year after year the club lose good people.

Started with Bailey rielly and rendell.

Then Walsh noble dangerfield lever Cameron mcgovern teague..

Have we successfully replaced any of them?

The gibbs trade shows we never replaced rendell.

Pyke has done a runner, blamed the players for everything and now left ensuring he's not the first crows coach to do 3 seasons outside finals in a row, ensured he had the best win ratio. This has to hurt sloan walker talia betts ect. They have had mates bail on us before.

 

[CharlieCrow]

Let's not forget that forums like Big Footy also provide unlimited opportunities for anonymous criticism, much of which is purely opinion based on prejudices and limited knowledge.
While this thread was started as a genuine conversation about mental health and well being being part of our recent structural and performance issues, many of you have chosen, once again, to use it as a vehicle to abuse and denigrate from the comfort of your keyboards. Big Footy is symptomatic of the problem and will never be part of the solution.

 

[Elite Crow]

Let's not forget that forums like Big Footy also provide unlimited opportunities for anonymous criticism, much of which is purely opinion based on prejudices and limited knowledge.
While this thread was started as a genuine conversation about mental health and well being being part of our recent structural and performance issues, many of you have chosen, once again, to use it as a vehicle to abuse and denigrate from the comfort of your keyboards. Big Footy is symptomatic of the problem and will never be part of the solution.

You know footy players don’t have to read big footy

 

[CharlieCrow]

You know footy players don’t have to read big footy

Cop out response.

 

[ManInTheArena]

I don't think the issues are to do with Phil Walsh's death. I am not being flippant or disrespectful to Walsh's memory here, or suggesting it has had no impact on the players the and staff of the Adelaide Football Club, but he was there for six months. We're probably quite biased about it because he was our head coach at our club at the time but he probably had longer and closer relationships with people from other clubs.

 

[jenny61_99]

Let's not forget that forums like Big Footy also provide unlimited opportunities for anonymous criticism, much of which is purely opinion based on prejudices and limited knowledge.
While this thread was started as a genuine conversation about mental health and well being being part of our recent structural and performance issues, many of you have chosen, once again, to use it as a vehicle to abuse and denigrate from the comfort of your keyboards. Big Footy is symptomatic of the problem and will never be part of the solution.

It’s probably why I’m so driven to clean up our act in here (as much as it pisses people off). I used to be a part of the anonymous keyboard warriors until I realised stuff that’s said on the internet can and does hurt others. We had the conversation with Don Pyke last year up here about the impact social media has been having on players and he was very mindful of this. It’s one thing to say “player A is down on form and needs to be dropped back to the twos” quite another to say “OMG player A is a useless, soft as butter moron and should never pull on an AFL jumper for this club again”.

 

[jenny61_99]

I don't think the issues are to do with Phil Walsh's death. I am not being flippant or disrespectful to Walsh's memory here, or suggesting it has had no impact on the players the and staff of the Adelaide Football Club, but he was there for six months. We're probably quite biased about it because he was our head coach at our club at the time but he probably had longer and closer relationships with people from other clubs.

Not denying that either, but it was the very nature of his death and the subsequent public coverage of every minute detail after the fact that made it extraordinary.

 

[thebirdman 24]

I doubt the players are still affecting by his death as tragic as it was, but perhaps they are using it as an excuse for playing poorly.

I remember during the 2017 year as everything was clicking the AFC and fans felt they deserved a GF victory because of what they went through. I certainly thought this way. Unfortunately in this industry, you are entitled to nothing despite what you have been through.

Whilst we shouldn't forget what happened, we need to move past it and this will be helped as we slowly turn over the players/staff over the years.

 

[Slippery Pete]

Let's not forget that forums like Big Footy also provide unlimited opportunities for anonymous criticism, much of which is purely opinion based on prejudices and limited knowledge.
While this thread was started as a genuine conversation about mental health and well being being part of our recent structural and performance issues, many of you have chosen, once again, to use it as a vehicle to abuse and denigrate from the comfort of your keyboards. Big Footy is symptomatic of the problem and will never be part of the solution.

Big Footy is largely a bunch of paid-up members having a say about the football club they pay to prop up.

The history of some of the more astute posters on here shows red flags raised well before the club finally acknowledged them as problems.

This forum isn’t a symptom of the problem, it’s a reaction to the problem. The problem is the people involved at the Adelaide Football Club, and if they were even remotely accountable to members you’d see a lot less discontentment on forums like this.

Apologists like you are actually symptomatic of the problem.

 

[Slippery Pete]

I used to be a part of the anonymous keyboard warriors until I realised stuff that’s said on the internet can and does hurt others.

You should lay off Donald Trump then.

 

[Barneythecrab]

At least four players have experienced a death in their immediate family since Walshy’s death. Sauce, Tex, Sloaney and Greenwood. Over the last two years there have been matches when the team completely give up. The second half of the Showdown, the Melbourne match in Alice Springs last year are just two examples. On the other hand we have had some good performances but the overall trend has been down.

The magic glue that bonds premiership teams is missing and the departure of players who have been offered the Big Bucks like Lever, Cameron and McGovern have further weakened the spirit of the group.

It seems like we have lost our desperate drive to win a flag and I think the only way to reverse the trend is for a significant turnover of older players, coaches and other personnel. This year there was is only 21 players left from the Walsh era and this number is likely to be reduced significantly this year (Douglas, Otten, Jacobs, Betts, Greenwood, Keath, CEY, Jenkins, Knight, dare I suggest even McKay).

The fortunate thing is that we have some high quality Kids who are ready to step up and carry little or no baggage.

This is a really good point and I am also of the belief that Sloane and Walker probably need to move on too. I know this will never happen but I think in the long run it would actually help the club to move on.

 

[CharlieCrow]

Big Footy is largely a bunch of paid-up members having a say about the football club they pay to prop up.

The history of some of the more astute posters on here shows red flags raised well before the club finally acknowledged them as problems.

This forum isn’t a symptom of the problem, it’s a reaction to the problem. The problem is the people involved at the Adelaide Football Club, and if they were even remotely accountable to members you’d see a lot less discontentment on forums like this.

Apologists like you are actually symptomatic of the problem.

I can't see how an argument for some level of dignity and respect can have you describing me as an apologist. I haven't once apologised for the professional behavior or outcomes of the Adelaide football club. I agree with some of what you day, that, as a paid up gold member of 27 years, I certainly have a huge investment in this club and feel I have some ownership and therefore require adequate answers to why my club is in its current state. I just think that arguments are not reinforced or made more powerful by abuse and bullying, especially by people not brave enough to actually go by their own name.

 

[mattymac]

I think that the truth is fairly obvious, we have a large group of players who have a huge sense of entitlement, when the results are there all is good, but the moment coaches hold them to account they turn on him.

This. It's pretty clear the same behaviors were entrenched before Walsh.

Nothing to do with Walsh. That's clear from the fact they built strongly in 16 playing finals and then launched a genuine tilt in 2017.

Unfortunately they choked in the GF. Stage fright, mental weakness, call it what you will. They went right back into their shells after that and never found the will to fight back to the top. Expected it to just happen, it didn't, cracked the sooks when pushed to get up and go again.

There have been too many absolute surrenders completely devoid of EFFORT over the last 2 years to make excuses for it.

Need a clean out of senior players. Keep Talia (captain), Sloane, Walker. They are the heart and soul.

Move on Jacobs, Betts, Jenkins, Lynch.

Cleaning out the playing list is just as important as cleaning out the football department if we are going to turn things around.

 

[Elite Crow]

Cop out response.

It’s not, it’s reality. This board doesn’t impact on players unless they want it to.

 

[mattymac]

I can't see how an argument for some level of dignity and respect can have you describing me as an apologist. I haven't once apologised for the professional behavior or outcomes of the Adelaide football club. I agree with some of what you day, that, as a paid up gold member of 27 years, I certainly have a huge investment in this club and feel I have some ownership and therefore require adequate answers to why my club is in its current state. I just think that arguments are not reinforced or made more powerful by abuse and bullying, especially by people not brave enough to actually go by their own name.

This board has become a lot more critical in recent times as the club has dug it's heels in and refused to address mounting issues. They run the club like it's their private club.

There is no accountability. There is no transparency. Why does Chapman get to stay until he hand picks a successor? How is that remotely acceptable after the string of fiascos and scandals throughout his tenure?

They can't even do simple things like announce Dougie has been delisted or state that Pyke will receive a small separation package without being dodgy with the truth and putting their foot in it.

The people who actually fund the club's existence are becoming more and more frustrated and vocal in their criticism.

 

[Slippery Pete]

I can't see how an argument for some level of dignity and respect can have you describing me as an apologist. I haven't once apologised for the professional behavior or outcomes of the Adelaide football club. I agree with some of what you day, that, as a paid up gold member of 27 years, I certainly have a huge investment in this club and feel I have some ownership and therefore require adequate answers to why my club is in its current state. I just think that arguments are not reinforced or made more powerful by abuse and bullying, especially by people not brave enough to actually go by their own name.

When you cast your vote at state and federal elections do you write your full name on the ballot paper? If not, why not? And why isn’t it required in a democracy?

If you can’t handle the opinions of members in a member-driven environment (which is what real football clubs are, or should be), **** off and give the job to somebody who can.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

I can't see how an argument for some level of dignity and respect can have you describing me as an apologist. I haven't once apologised for the professional behavior or outcomes of the Adelaide football club. I agree with some of what you day, that, as a paid up gold member of 27 years, I certainly have a huge investment in this club and feel I have some ownership and therefore require adequate answers to why my club is in its current state. I just think that arguments are not reinforced or made more powerful by abuse and bullying, especially by people not brave enough to actually go by their own name.

Charlie, just some observations ....you've posted some 200 times in 13 years ..what exactly was the point you wanted to get across, or wee you curious of the mood on this board

Secondly, this board rally just reflects what is said in the Grandstands, in the streets, and in the offices each week .....absolutely no different

Lastly, being a 27 year Member, gives you no additional rights re opinions .....as there are posters here, with equal or more members rights, and club sponsors ....so lets put that in the briefcase Charlie

 

[Golumless]

Damien Hardwick has spoken about the GF itself as being a marathon, you must focus on each and every step to make it to the finish line. Richmond were preparing for Grand Final success, Adelaide were preparing power stances to win the national anthem.

I have no issue with the power stance. It was an attempt to bond players together, and get the players even more psyched up through trying to increase testosterone.

It well and truly worked as our first quarters were our strongest in all three games. However, it cops blame because it looked tacky, and really, it's a soft target. The risk of innovation at times, we'd be mocking Richmond for not going in with a second ruck had they lost that match.

Blaming that however really glosses over all of the issues that arose that game, and since.