As far as I see it, Brisbane are going to be fighting from behind the 8-ball for a while yet, if they can't change the mental attitude of the players.
But really, how can you just "change" someone's attitude? A lot of it is ingrained in the very nature of the club - right from the supporters to the players, and even to the media coverage that the team gets.
I have 6 points to make (IMO). I'm not saying they're entirely accurate - but I'm putting them up for discussion, at least.
Point 1.
Brisbane are always going to have to take the soft option as a club, in regards to recruiting players. For instance, guys who come from other states - the club is practically forced to sign them up on long-term lucrative contracts, either that or lose them. Players are therefore in a comfort zone. If things go wrong, hey, they can always head off back to Melbourne to play in a "serious" side.
Point 2.
The local QLD competition currently does not produce enough young talent to ensure that the Lions don't have to look elsewhere first. This means they'll always come looking to Victoria, S.A., W.A. for players, and end up in the same situation as 'point 1'.
Point 3.
The local QSL competition is not at the same standard as the state competitions in Victoria, S.A., and W.A. Therefore, players who are dropped from the senior side, have it easy in the local competition, and automatically look worthy of selection - without having to do the hard yards of a player in a similar position in Vic, S.A., or W.A.
Point 4.
Even though the expectations of a particular group of players might be high or low, the general perception in the media and football public, is that it's ok for the Brisbane Lions to underacheive, as they're only a footy team in a non-football state. This has to have affected the attitudes of the players over time, and once again leads back to 'point 1'.
Point 5.
From what I can tell, the Brisbane Lions only really have a small group of "genuine" supporters who go, week-in, week-out, and genuinely care about the results of the club. These people are made up of those who supported Fitzroy and the Bears, pre the merger, and also some of those who have come on board since. However, there is somewhat of a 'bandwagon' element, in that while the team can pull sell-out crowds at the Gabba, it certainly seems that a large section of these supporters are there for the ride, for entertainments sake. There seems to be very little pressure for the team to perform, because as in 'point 4', people perceive that the team is "doing great considering they are coming from a non-footy state". Similarly, I think this general perception comes out in the footy public when things go wrong for the Lions (that being "they're only an experiment anyway").
Point 6.
The Brisbane Lions are yet to develop a culture of success. Clubs like Essendon and Carlton are apprenticed in success. Their records stand for themselves. You can't help but think that the winners mentality is bred into players at these clubs by the very culture of their own history of success. Does this help them to get across the line when they most need to? I think it does. In contrast, you have teams like the Western Bulldogs and St.Kilda, who have only won one premiership each, and to some extent you could argue that the lack of success has bred a culture where almost is good enough. Is this the case with the Brisbane Lions? Currently, I think it is. Where are the Brisbane Lions to 'gain' a successful culture from? Should they look to Fitzroy's 8 premiership and champion players as a benchmark?? Somehow I don't think that will be enough, on its own. It's pretty much down to the players and coaching staff to develop their own culture and standards in order to achieve success. No other non-football state is yet to do this (for any serious length of time), and win a premiership. The Crows and Eagles don't count - they both had an entire state's worth of culture, tradition, and hate behind them. Currently, the Brisbane Lions lack this - and it's definitely something which shows on the field.
Any thoughts??
But really, how can you just "change" someone's attitude? A lot of it is ingrained in the very nature of the club - right from the supporters to the players, and even to the media coverage that the team gets.
I have 6 points to make (IMO). I'm not saying they're entirely accurate - but I'm putting them up for discussion, at least.
Point 1.
Brisbane are always going to have to take the soft option as a club, in regards to recruiting players. For instance, guys who come from other states - the club is practically forced to sign them up on long-term lucrative contracts, either that or lose them. Players are therefore in a comfort zone. If things go wrong, hey, they can always head off back to Melbourne to play in a "serious" side.
Point 2.
The local QLD competition currently does not produce enough young talent to ensure that the Lions don't have to look elsewhere first. This means they'll always come looking to Victoria, S.A., W.A. for players, and end up in the same situation as 'point 1'.
Point 3.
The local QSL competition is not at the same standard as the state competitions in Victoria, S.A., and W.A. Therefore, players who are dropped from the senior side, have it easy in the local competition, and automatically look worthy of selection - without having to do the hard yards of a player in a similar position in Vic, S.A., or W.A.
Point 4.
Even though the expectations of a particular group of players might be high or low, the general perception in the media and football public, is that it's ok for the Brisbane Lions to underacheive, as they're only a footy team in a non-football state. This has to have affected the attitudes of the players over time, and once again leads back to 'point 1'.
Point 5.
From what I can tell, the Brisbane Lions only really have a small group of "genuine" supporters who go, week-in, week-out, and genuinely care about the results of the club. These people are made up of those who supported Fitzroy and the Bears, pre the merger, and also some of those who have come on board since. However, there is somewhat of a 'bandwagon' element, in that while the team can pull sell-out crowds at the Gabba, it certainly seems that a large section of these supporters are there for the ride, for entertainments sake. There seems to be very little pressure for the team to perform, because as in 'point 4', people perceive that the team is "doing great considering they are coming from a non-footy state". Similarly, I think this general perception comes out in the footy public when things go wrong for the Lions (that being "they're only an experiment anyway").
Point 6.
The Brisbane Lions are yet to develop a culture of success. Clubs like Essendon and Carlton are apprenticed in success. Their records stand for themselves. You can't help but think that the winners mentality is bred into players at these clubs by the very culture of their own history of success. Does this help them to get across the line when they most need to? I think it does. In contrast, you have teams like the Western Bulldogs and St.Kilda, who have only won one premiership each, and to some extent you could argue that the lack of success has bred a culture where almost is good enough. Is this the case with the Brisbane Lions? Currently, I think it is. Where are the Brisbane Lions to 'gain' a successful culture from? Should they look to Fitzroy's 8 premiership and champion players as a benchmark?? Somehow I don't think that will be enough, on its own. It's pretty much down to the players and coaching staff to develop their own culture and standards in order to achieve success. No other non-football state is yet to do this (for any serious length of time), and win a premiership. The Crows and Eagles don't count - they both had an entire state's worth of culture, tradition, and hate behind them. Currently, the Brisbane Lions lack this - and it's definitely something which shows on the field.
Any thoughts??
