Burnout

[lozza63]

As we sit atop of the ladder, reflecting on the strides we have taken towards ultimate glory one thing concerns me most... the chance of burnout.

As we are all acutely and proudly aware we have a high intensity pressure game upon which we rely to "ground our foes" into the ground.

At round 20 we are now in uncharted waters
1. Premiership Favourites
2. Within 2 wins of securing the minor premiership
3. Raising expectation/adrenaline leading into September.

When looking into the Neon stats I found that we lead Geelong and St.Kilda in the grunt stats.

The KPIs which i refer to are:
Contested Possessions 2'595
Contested Marks 277
1%ers 989

Geelong second on the ladder:
CP 2'463
CM 266
1%ers 926

Saints tird
CP 2'360
CM 239
1%ers 873

Now although I did not go exhaustively through all 16 teams the fact is we WORK around 5% harder than Geelong and am hoping that we are not flattened by this come September.

Hopefully we can secure a Prelim spot and the boys a chance to recharge the batteries!

 

[Zahki]

Burnout happened last year due to our poor start to the season. We needed to win pretty much all our games in the second half of the year to snatch a top 4 spot and as a result all our players were buggered and carrying injuries by the time the finals started. We're in a much better position now, and Buttifant is pretty much the best in the business for keeping players fresh week in week out, we'll be fine.

 

[mattys123]

Last year we really didn't suffer from "burnout" at all IMO.

We suffered from 2 things, "bad luck", and "lack of talent".

Last year, in and around the finals series, we lost Pendles, Meds (might as well of), Swan (shouldn't have been playing), Davis (shouldn't have been playing) and Fraser (no.1. ruck) and several others also.

Plus we played "kids" and inexperienced players, who are now fitter, stronger and more versatile then last year.

If we don't win the flag this year, it won't be because of our fitness, it will be because we simply are not good enough.

 

[Keele]

I think we have all players playing as a team... reason for being on top.

We are yet to play our best... reason we have not peaked.

I think the club is doing a wonderful job with player management, fitness and going by what players are saying when interviewed they are taking it a week at a time with the intent of bringing home the big one... so mental attitude to me is in the right place


Go Pies

 

[Kirby]

It's an understandable fear. These are unchartered waters for us.

I can't help but think some sort of mental let down is going to occur over the next week or two, especially as we are about to play two pretty shit teams in Essendon and Adelaide, both of which we should beat easily and will "if we show up".

I just think we have been very up for a month now and it worries me that we have this little break coming next week with Maxy organising players to have a little RnR. We could lose a bit of focus if players are thinking about the freshen up.

I don't think we have or will burn out but I sense a let down coming. It will not be the end of the world if it happens as long as we then respond well to it. It won't stop the media making a big deal of it though or BF posters totally imploding.

 

[jerry springer]

Last year we carried too many injured or underdone players into games. Didak,swan,davis Fraser Rocca just from memory in that saints game/And pendles broke his leg as well.

We were winning against the saints 10 min into the 2nd qtr and they just ran over the top of us

 

[daics_35]

I was thinking about this as well, in 2007 Geelong lost 1 game after round4 and they didnt burn out, plus Mick has been resting alot of the players we have 3 on the injury list and only one of them is in our best 25 i just cant see us burning out and thats credit to Mick.

 

[Ron]

Saints tird
CP 2'360
CM 239
1%ers 873

I agree with this. The Saints are turds.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Burnout is more an issue for Geelong.

If we dont win it this year, it wont be because of burnout. It will be because our key position players are not yet anywhere near at the peak of their careers.

To win the flag, Reid and Dawes will have to play like 25 year olds, and Cloke will have to kick straight. I think these three players are the key to our premiership chances this year, assuming no injuries to our other key players (Jolly, Swan, Pendlebury, Didak etc).

Our defence is rock solid, midfield reliable and deep, and ruck competent. Its the forward line - especially the tall targets - that have to be at their best for us to go all the way. We can probably survive without Davis being in peak form but we cant survive without Cloke and Dawes.

 

[Bay Pie]

Could be but it would be more a concern for both Geelong & St.Kilda.

Geelong have been 'up' for 4 years now and the wear and tear on their bodies, especially given the way they play, will take it's toll eventually.

St.Kilda have few genuine stars and are extremely reliant on them to win games. Lenny Hayes has been battered for a very long time and is their only true in and under midfielder who consistently puts his body on the line. If he struggles/tires, St.Kilda will definitely struggle.

Given we have flogged a lot of teams, we've managed our players time on ground and midfield play (body bashing the most in here) because of the ease of some of wins of late.

With the numbers of players we've be able to rotate through the team and the midfield (many midfielders not having played every game) keeps many guys freshish.

Swanny, Pendles, Jolly, Tooooooooooooves, Harry, Sidey playing mostly forward & Daisy are the ones I can think of that have played every game. Dids, Wellers, Bally, Shaw, Johnno, Maxy, Presti, Cloke, Dawes, Leon, Caff, Goldy, Leroy, Reidy have all missed at least 1 game. Beamsy has also rotated through midfield but has spent most of his time on a HFF missing 1 game (round 1).
The Dogs are in a more similar situation for freshness then the other 2.

 

[PiesFan87]

Sidey missed a game recently, didn't he? Sometime between Round 16-18, I think.

EDIT: Nope. Must have been West Coast.

 

[MagpieJoel]

IMO, this is a state of mind. It is a mental thing. There is NO reason we cannot continue playing as we have been.

 

[Primetime Pricey]

Pies wont burn out for a lot of the reasons already stated but my biggest factor is the hunger factor. Collingwood realise the position they are currently in and i dont think you will find them taking the foot off.

IMO the only thing that can cost Collingwood the flag is themselves.

 

[daics cousin]

Fear not fellow pies fans,for it has be written that this year will be the year of the Magpie.

With Malthouse's wayward around the bounday line attack,that hasn't served us well in previous years ,but coupled with Buckleys high intensity lock down forward line footy plus our cut off of the centre corridor makes it almost impossible for any team to penetrate.

Measure that up with 4 years of high altitude training and a steely resolve with all our group this collingwood side will soar above the rest and begin not only one flag,but a succesion of flags to come.

Our secret weapon ? The sac will deliver 80 metre clearance torps
to clear the opposition zones,during the finals,he is only trying to perfect in recent weeks.

Buckley will revolutionise the modern game when takes over....bookmark it.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

I really hope the players don't get sucked in by superstitions like the fans do.

"Oh noes, the last 8 premiers lost to their GF opponent in their last contest"

Yeah? Well the last time Geelong lost to Collingwood in the H&A season, they lost the Grand Final that year.

Why doesn't anyone use that one?

Also, see Essendon in 2000. THAT'S what we should be looking at and aiming towards.

One loss for the whole season. How do you like them burnouts?

Pies wont burn out for a lot of the reasons already stated but my biggest factor is the hunger factor. Collingwood realise the position they are currently in and i dont think you will find them taking the foot off.

IMO the only thing that can cost Collingwood the flag is themselves.

This. It's pretty much ours to lose now. No injuries (major), in form, beaten all top 8/4 sides, top of the ladder, playing at the MCG for the rest of the year.

We're in the box seat, we just have to close the deal. F**k history, it's time to create our own.