Watching the better teams of the last decade or so, something always inevitably stands out. They sacrificed individual success for the good of the team, they did the one percenters, put their body on the line for the team and had a bunch of strong leaders that led the way.
The term "Bloods culture" was always thrown around with Sydney, Clarkson and Hodge led the charge at Hawthorn in the team first mentality and Geelong were always in sync with one another and played as a team.
Seeing GWS go about it the last two years and then their effort last Thursday night it's clear this is what is missing. Their backline has probably been overrated a bit but the rest of their side is talented enough to be a much more potent team than they currently are.
Shiel, Kelly, Coniglio, Ward etc are all gun midfielders. But all seem like the types that are brilliant individually and aren't cut out to lead out there on the park.
Down back Heath Shaw has actually been pretty handy from all reports in the leadership department but clearly the end is near for him and there really doesn't seem to be any other clear cut general down there to take over from him.
Up forward is where the lack of team shows most in my opinion. Clear lack of chemistry up forward. Some of that can obviously be blamed on the constant changes (especially this year) to team selection/injuries.
Obviously GWS realised leaders and building this team culture was a need as they went out and got Griffen, Johnson, Shaw, Deledio, Mumford etc. Outside of Shaw I reckon they've failed pretty badly in that department.
Is it merely them needing to replace Cameron with someone who can change the mindset of the playing list or should they look at making a few bold moves to find some players that are better suited to building a culture necessary for success?
Maybe I'm being too harsh and injuries have simply ruined any chance of building on the reasonably successful 2016 campaign?
Of course this could all backfire as they haven't been knocked out yet but in their current state it's hard to see things changing in a number of weeks.