Connolly Lacking Killer Instinct and Passion

[Schopp]

I know some may laugh at me but I really beleive Freo have the physical talent (atheletism, skills) to win the premiership but I dont think Connolly has the killer instinct required to be a successful coach. He has a glazed look in his eyes rather than a hungry look like Malthouse, Sheedy, Matthew, Wallace. He doesnt appear the sort of guy who would really get the players really fired up to the point where they will put their bodies on the line for the club. A couple of strong wins and the Dockers take the foot of the petal. Sometimes i also think he has no idea.

For example in 03 i think it was the Dockers were playing the Eagles and Gardner was dominating hit outs. Freo were struggling in that area. Sandilands to my shock was playing for East Freo that weekend and Gardner killed in the ruck again . I couldnt beleive it. Apparently the word was Gardner was surprised Sandilands didnt play. Most were. Later Connolly admitted he made a mistake. Too many times I have seen him admit that he erred. I think it is a ploy of his to make him look like an honest and truthful person, but in the end the tally of errors is adding up.

Another example is that I felt either Polak, MacFarlane or Pavlich should have played forward for long periods a lot earlier. They are exceptional talents full stop and shouldnt be all wasted in the midfield or backline. There have been enough options in the backline for the past couple of years to play out least one of Polak or Macfarlane forward.

I am only a football supporter and i think i would have more idea than him when it comes to decision making.

The team is playing without passion most of the time when the going is tough and dont appear to have unity and play like a real club. Too many boof headed bullsh---- marketing people involved like Hart and Schwab who want attention when it is goin ok, rather than true professionals who stay our of the limelight. When Bell was accepting his b & f and was making a speech Hart was in the background chatting away to someone. No respect for a champ who has killed himself on the field for the club.

In short i have no doubt a good coach would harness the talent Freo have and do a lot better than what Connolly is doing.

 

[ImperialPurple]

Cheers for the input, and for having enough respect to give your opinion without resorting to bagging or taking the p***.

You're probably right on most points. CC has lost a lot of people in recent times, even many who were staunch supporters. In this caper, the buck stops with the coach - fortunately or unfortunately, depending were you happen to be sitting. CC has had plenty of time to implement the changes, harden up the players and instil some passion and pride in the club and the jumper. We see it in small doses and in fits and bursts, but we certainly don't see it on a "week in-week out" basis. The way James Hird bleeds for Essendon, Michael Voss for the Lions or Mark Ricciuto for the Crows. I think the question is no longer when will it happen, but if it will happen.

And geez it hurts to say that.

 

[Exeter]

And geez it hurts to say that.

I'll bet.

And the sad thing is: it aint over yet.

At least not until you pay out his contract.

 

[Slacker]

Interesting that Grant Thomas talks about his role being more about motivating than strategy at the Saints. I thought he was crazy but now I am forced to reconsider.

It appears the dockers have a problem with focus and motivation. Within a few minutes you can tell whether they are switched on (Melbourne), or off as in Tigers/Hawthorn.

Take the Essendon game for example. When we played them they suddenly pulled all that Sheeds memorial game stuff out of their arse for an otherwise normal round. Thus their guys came out motivated to play&win and ours came out flat and disinterested.

Sheeds survival for so long as a coach suggests he knows a bit about the game and how to play it. He knew the game could be won with a bit of artficial importance to fire his team up, while also giving ours had an excuse. Meanwhile CC was indulging in a bit of media games over caffeine tablets.

This week CC was on about the telstra dome surface (for gawds sake STFU).

 

[Slacker]

Basically I agree with Schopp

 

[wehavethepassion]

Well I read somewhere that Connolly is up for $400k per yr in 2006 & 2007.
It would take 40000 docker suporters $20 each to buy him out?
Are there 40000 docker supporters disenchanted & frustrated with his style or are they prepared for more of the same in 2006 & 2007?

 

[jarman]

You can have $200.00 from me right now.

 

[Dr Ralph Dagg]

I thought Connolly lost the players last year. I wrote at the time that is almost unheard of that a leader gets back his troops as it were. Its pretty clear he hasn't.

I think Connolly is gone as senior coach. There is just too much evidence to show that he is out of puff. He's had three and half years to build a "super exciting team" and we're not that. We're almost halfway through the journey and have just been beaten by the two teams ranked 15th on the ladder who have played just basic accountable football. In terms of game day strategies, my mates and I have been debating exactly what Robert Shaw was quoted as saying in the Herald Sun article. There is no Plan B. Last week's selections meant there were four players out there that should not have been selected -- Polak, Schammer, Schofield and Hasleby. I think McManus who has had two BOG's for East Freo would be gutted that Schammer and Schofield got selected when there WAFL fom was very ordinary. Or that Hasleby was played when he wasn't 100% fit.

And look you can make a case for everything turning around but its weak one. We have lost 9 of our last 13 games in the same way. Prior to that the writing was on the wall with the losses against Saints and Essendon last year. The teams we have beaten this year haven't been travelling that well. The same last year.

I think its over for this season and anything else from here on in is a bonus.

And IP, I don't know about hurt. I feel kind of relieved.

 

[Stuie16]

The team is playing without passion most of the time when the going is tough and dont appear to have unity and play like a real club. Too many boof headed bullsh---- marketing people involved like Hart and Schwab who want attention when it is goin ok, rather than true professionals who stay our of the limelight. When Bell was accepting his b & f and was making a speech Hart was in the background chatting away to someone. No respect for a champ who has killed himself on the field for the club.

In short i have no doubt a good coach would harness the talent Freo have and do a lot better than what Connolly is doing.

Right on the mark there. Connoly came here and had to become a bit of a "Clown" so to speak in the media to lift the profile of the club. This he done well but now is the time to shut-up and start coaching. However I feel he has maybe taken this persona too far and the players now fail to respect him.

The players are playing un-inspired and un-disiplined football.... Pre match address and half time address should be able to get them breathing fire, wanting to run through brickwalls, putting their bodies on the line to win the ball..... failure of this attidue from the players this is a direct result of lack of motivation from or fear of the coach. Yes one or two players could be seen as one or two bad eggs but for majority of the team...... I say coach, coaching panel and board.

Damian Drum coached them soft and when he tried to get tough the players lost respect and stopped playing for him and the club..... Is it too late for Connoly I wonder.......

Our membership stickers say "I HAVE THE PASSION" maybe a banner should be made to go over the changeroom door for all the players to look at b4 they run out to train or play the game "DO YOU HAVE THE PASSION"

25-0 or 0-22 Docker Fan till I Die!

 

[bee dee]

So what is plan B, loose men behind the ball which he has been blasted about many times before and thus lack scoring power, What do you suggest is plan B, did R. NOALL Shaw suggest the plan B to introduce, oh no just say it and dont back it up!!

 

[dugrene]

In the polls board the poll '2nd fav team' I ticked roos. Something about the so called shinboner spirit. They always seem gutsy playing to the wire even when they get beaten you have the feeling they didnt lose. Tough teams.

When I was a youngster (before the americas cup) Fremantle was some where you went on a friday or Sat night only if their was a couple of car loads of guys ready to rumble. It was a tough place. It had two tough teams.

Then the Dockers came along. Blue singlets, Freo = tough. Over the first few years even though we didnt set the world on fire most opposition would know Freo would play to the end. I'd feel proud to hear commontators say if "such and such' relax Freo will have the run to snatch the game. The supporters would stay win lose or draw because we knew our guys would keep giving until the siren. Might get beaten by better teams but very rarely losing. Now we lose as opposed to getting beaten.


Has Fremantle itself changed ? The cafe-latte set reflecting on our players ?

I dont want to be seen as passionate. Leave that in the bedroom.

I want to be seen as tough

Now that Fremantle oval has turned into a bit of a 5 star resort mabey the team should be moved to East Fremantle oval for a few weeks. Turn the hot water off, get a fire truck down there to spray them with water, some one makes a mistake 20 push ups for everybody. Then a have a beer after after training, become a team.

What was Carey supposedly said during commentry on sunday "pav is vice captain over 100kgs mabey ought to round a couple of the guys up one at time one one one in the back room and give em a bit of a rough up"

With observations like that lets hire Carey. I llike his attitude.

 

[Schopp]

Cheers for the input, and for having enough respect to give your opinion without resorting to bagging or taking the p***.
QUOTE]

Your welcome, I have had a healthy level of respect for the Dockers since the Bloodbath Derby, what a day, I was priveleged to be there.

You see some coaches charge out at quarter time with a real purpose and intensity in their walk and a spark in their eyes. Terry Wallace, Parkin, Malthouse, Matthews, these guys have vains protruding from their necks and roar onto the field.

Chris, well he walks out like he is going to get the family bbq going. I heard on Brownlow night 04 that he rammed an entire pastry into his mouth and that it was caught by television.

I remember his first league game as coach where he wore a pair of shorts and a polo shirt.

I dont think lots of ranting and raving is the go, but at times it is necessary, For example at 3 quarter time he spent time looking at his clipboard and then spoke to the players in what appeared a calm fashion for one minute. Bugger the structures,etc when players arent really having a go, how about getting stuck into the majority of them for not committing like the Hawks.

 

[TheReason]

I know some may laugh at me but I really beleive Freo have the physical talent (atheletism, skills) to win the premiership but I dont think Connolly has the killer instinct required to be a successful.

I don't know about Premiership material, depends on other teams form / injury etc....

But I can honestly say that Freo's list should be better with the amount of the time the club has spent in the cellar. On the current list, I would have to say the list would be about Top 3 - 5 in the league.

Who's list do I rate greater?

Geelong
Sainters

Teams that are on about par with Freo:

Richmond (maybe)
WCE (maybe even slighty below the potential of Freo's list)


If the coach is doing a good job, can someone explain this to me, and if the players are injured, why are they playing:

Bell - Looks to have lost the passion for playing this year.

Haselby - This year, I knows he's injured, but he's gone backwards

Polak - Has not progressed since his debut year. Any other club and he would close to the best CHB in the league

Longmuir - Yes has taken some forward steps this year but I would have expected him to take more games by the scruff of the neck.

Hedland - Looks like a million $ when the team is winning. When the team loses he goes MIA quicker than a POW.

Schammer - Where do I begin.... if this kid is not put back to the WAFL & if his confidence is not allready shot and unless some drastic intervention occurs, this talented kid will be on the scrap-heap... to be traded, where a club will invest in his development and he will become a bona Fide A grade player.

 

[pinkus maximus]

Did anyone listen to Braddles on 6PR last night

He was suggesting that the dockers were flogged at wednesday training and that is the reason they were so flat on the weekend

2 weeks ago he was suggesting we didnt train hard enough

 

[kidstyler]

i some times see CC in freo and he never looks happy...

i saw him after the tigers game (shudders) and he looked really dissapionted. didnt have the heart to ask him what happened or give him crap.

even after our melbourne win i saw him walking to the sail and anchor, head down taking slow steps.

if you ask me the guys under a ******** load of pressure. win or not!

i dont wanna add to it .....

 

[Ripper]

Did anyone listen to Braddles on 6PR last night

Couldn't bring myself to do that much self harm.

He was suggesting that the dockers were flogged at wednesday training and that is the reason they were so flat on the weekend

That would make sense as so many looked so flat. Hence Malaxos's comment about not thinking the hawks were that good.

2 weeks ago he was suggesting we didnt train hard enough

What a surprise.

 

[shacka]

Did anyone listen to Braddles on 6PR last night

He was suggesting that the dockers were flogged at wednesday training and that is the reason they were so flat on the weekend

2 weeks ago he was suggesting we didnt train hard enough

Running hard 5 days prior to the match is no excuse for being soft.

If you want to have a go at your coach have a go at his game plan, you don't play hard.

 

[ThePope]

In the polls board the poll '2nd fav team' I ticked roos. Something about the so called shinboner spirit. They always seem gutsy playing to the wire even when they get beaten you have the feeling they didnt lose. Tough teams.

So you didn't see them on Sunday I take it. 1 goal in each of the first and last quarter, a 14 goal shellacking and their most senior player decided that his shinboner spirit meant whacking a guy on the ground and he gets a week off.

Capitulation
Crisis Point
Humiliating
Shocking Performance
A Low Ebb
Bruised Pride

All from the herald sun talking, not about us, but about the Roos.

Be careful who you want to emulate.

In the past week for every post saying that Polak/McPharlin/Pav have been wasted in the backline/midfield for the past few years, I've seen one saying that Polak/McPharlin/Pav should be moved back there, and then the others saying Connolly doesn't make enough moves to others saying he rotates and moves players too much; he should drop Sandilands; he was stupid to drop Sandilands; to drop injured senior players and play the kids; to our kids are too young and skinny and aren't up to the task.

It's a no win situation for Connolly, if we don't win- Connolly's a crap coach. If we do win, well, we've got the list, so we should win.

Thomas can blame injuries for his team's inconsistancy. Brisbane has an aging list and lost some senior stars. The Roos, well no-one really rated them to start. Adelaide can not turn up one week, then blitz them the next, but again, no-one rates then so who cares. Essendon is up one week, down the next but they have lost their captain, so that's there excuse. Port at least won one (not 34) so you can excuse a hangover.
But each of them has played great footy at some stage of this year, but like d-grade amateurs at other times.
So why is only our culture/attitude/coach/mental fragility being questioned?

Everyone has an off week or two
Melbourne 18.6 114
Geelong 8.18 66

Adelaide 18.16 124
Port Adelaide 8.8 56

Hawthorn 18.7 115
Brisbane Lions 10.9 69

St Kilda 22.15 147
Richmond 11.13 79

Richmond 19.9 123
Port Adelaide 9.13 67

Hawthorn 19.14 128
Melbourne 13.11 89

St Kilda 8.9 57
Adelaide 15.13 103

Geelong 22.14 146
Kangaroos 8.13 61

Fremantle 10.10 70
Hawthorn 18.16 124

 

[Ripper]

Good post Benedict. Puts things into perspective.

 

[Rob]

Everyone might have an off week, but we've had 3 (arguably 4, but luckily we were playing Carlton), and 2 games where we played some crap footy to throw 4 points away.

Our best footy has been light years ahead of our worst, as demonstrated in the game against the toast. This is a dead giveaway that the problem is mental fragility. That problem lies squarely at the feet of the coaching staff. This might not be a problem with Connolly as such, but he's got to bear the responsibility of it, because he hired the coaching staff.

 

[LongBombFromOutside50]

I think one of the problem lies in the players' lack of respect for Connolly and the rest of the coaching staff. Look at WC, the players seem to bleed for Worsfold. If we had a coach who was a tough footballer and had a distinguished career perhaps the players would show more guts and commitment?

 

[dugrene]

So you didn't see them on Sunday I take it. 1 goal in each of the first and last quarter, a 14 goal shellacking and their most senior player decided that his shinboner spirit meant whacking a guy on the ground and he gets a week off.

Capitulation
Crisis Point
Humiliating
Shocking Performance
A Low Ebb
Bruised Pride

All from the herald sun talking, not about us, but about the Roos.

Be careful who you want to emulate.

The general thrust of my original post was the perception at large of Femantle FC.

I have seen the roos go through many crisis's but there is always the underlying feeling that they can rebound. They always seem to have a hard man or somone willing make a sacrifice. It is part of their persona built up over their long history. I am aware truth and perception sometimes dont run parrallel.

Fremantle has yet to make the transition that creates respect. We have been close. But each time we headline for capitulating without a squeak we have to start the climb again, and again.

The best thing about Freo is the supporters, and I'm pretty sure the management are aware of this fact and hurt as much as we do.

When someone says "easy to beat Freo... Man on man and rough them up" Now that hurts. We have to change that perception. If means losing a couple of players so be it.

Like the name of this thread we need a bit of killer instict.
Mabey CC ought take a leaf from wallets book. I bet the bully fans were rapt when danny southern and his mates roughed up gardiner. They lost the game but they added to the teams character people remember those incidents.

 

[masai]

Did anyone listen to Braddles on 6PR last night

He is applying for the position of coach of the Coogee Under 12's ?.

 

[Hawk Dork]

Everyone has an off week or two


Hawthorn 18.7 115
Brisbane Lions 10.9 69


Hawthorn 19.14 128
Melbourne 13.11 89


Fremantle 10.10 70
Hawthorn 18.16 124

3 off weeks or maybe 3 good weeks

 

[voodoo_86]

Hawks are playing some of the best footy around lately.

Like watching them play.

Didn't much like watching them play last sunday.