For The Doubters

[_RT_]

A couple of weeks ago there was quite an outcry after the Dreamtime game. Some were rightly frustrated about the way the side played while others were IMO wrongly calling for the head of Hardwick and a number of players to be culled as well.

In the 3 weeks since then we've gone to Perth and given the Eagles a nice little touch up, when everyone expected us to lose and then returned home and in a game where we were expected to win, we actually performed to the level expected and won comfortably.

For me the last 2 weeks just reaffirmed what I stated back then and that is that Hardwick is the right man for the job. He may not win a flag for us this year or even next year, but I am even more confident now than I was at the start of the year that he will lead us into the finals this year. What I have seen over the last 2 weeks is that the players have finally got the message that Hardwick has been telling them and they are genuinely playing for Hardwick and each other.

So the question I, and no doubt some others, have for those that were calling for Hardwicks head is now what? Do you still believe that he isn't the man for the job?

 

[Capitano_Cotch]

The Dreamtime game was a disappointment for all of us and some of the reactions on here were purely emotion based.
We once again, failed to deliver a performance on the big stage in front of a big crowd.
I agree with you RT.
Hardwick has done wonders for this club and has put us on the map again.
There is still a very long way to go to reach the levels of some of the better sides, but this takes time.
The culture of the club has been totally transformed.
No longer do we have an 'eat our own' mentality. (Well, not as much as before anyway )

Onwards and upwards.

 

[tugga]

Too true RT.
Although we need to find some more inside mids because Cotch is having to do it all at the moment and it's affecting his overall footy.
Having Conca back will help. One more in the draft will help.
Go Tiges.

 

[David3030]

I am very confident of the way we are tracking. So confident infact, I would be looking at negotiating at least a 12 month extension to Dimma's and the entire coaching staffs contracts. I stress this is my opinion only.

Agreed, we won't win the flag this year, we all know that, but the improvement has continued this season from 2012. Our incremental improvement this season has us in with a decent shot at finals action, first time in 12 years. When we finally make the finals we are not likely to make them one season and miss them again for x amount of years. The hard work is getting done behind the scenes and the rewards are being shown to us on the field.

 

[tigs2010]

The defensive game plan/intent has totally changed. We aren't playing bruise free footy. Exactly what I was calling for and it's bene delivered.

 

[smasha]

Essendon game was an absolute shocker.
Great to see the lads get that loss outta the way and focus on playing great footy with intensity.

 

[Tzatziki_Man]

One at the time.

The last two have been rippers.

 

["The Roar Is Back"]

Rayzorwire free thread ?

 

["The Roar Is Back"]

Grigg is still getting handed games .

 

[tigers_of_old_08]

Grigg is still getting handed games .

Did ok Roar, 18 disposals and kicked 2.1.

 

[Wallaby]

Last 2 weeks have been good.

Last 2 weeks have been against sides unlikely to play finals.

We have to step up to being competitive regularly against the top sides. the fact is, in our games against Geelong, Collingwood, Essendon we were handled pretty easily. Freo was good. And last year we managed to beat the Grand finalists. But anyone can have a spell of reasonable form, or catch the opposition on a bad day.

No doubt we have improved. But we are still a fair way off being a genuine threat to the top sides. We are still a fair way off seeing how our players handle real pressure and big games. We haven't seen our coaching staff influence a big game.

I think the biggest positive is we are finally winning the games we SHOULD - and winning them as we should (Demons excepted). We are now definitely aiming to finish somewhere from 5-8 - not just sneak in if we are fortunate. If we miss the finals from here..........

 

[cairo tiger]

look you give credit for where it is due- last 2 weeks very good. intensity game plan etc.

dreamtime was a nightmare. we have taken stock and come back, only as good as your last game

 

[JAKLAUGHING]

This great Club has done some very hard yards in the last few years to turn its fortunes around...
The amount of hard work that has been done and is still ongoing is staggering...
Its only right that the players respond in kind and keep positively responding...
As a life long supporter and member I try to be the same...but their have been moments when I have wavered...too few to mention...

 

[Tigerland]

The standard against the Bombers in dreamtime was unacceptable. Whichever way you want to spin it that is a fact.
Clearly the Coaches thought so as well as there has been a massive improvement since then.

The improvement over the last 2 weeks still does not make that effort in dreamtime acceptable.
It just shows that (and I hope) the Essendon game and that effort was an exception and not the rule.

The tackling and intensity in the last 2 weeks has been the best all season. 2 weeks does not make a season.
We still haven't beaten anyone above us so before you go and sign Dimma for a 5 year extension let's just wait and see what pans out.

 

[SumTingWong]

Did ok Roar, 18 disposals and kicked 2.1.

Bloody stat lovers. Tell the whole story. No he failed in his role yesterday which was to tag Dangerfield. Played on him in the first quarter where Dangerfield had 11 disposals and was BOG. Then did OK at best when he went back to his usual role.

 

[Tigerbob]

The defensive game plan/intent has totally changed. We aren't playing bruise free footy. Exactly what I was calling for and it's bene delivered.

Amazing after the debacle the style and intent has changed.

Why did the intent and attitude change? Why did the more focus on tackling happen.

Cause people questioned and put the spotlight on what was not right.

That dreamtime game was the worst coaching performance I had seen since Giechen at our club.

The turnaround has been pleasing and lets see if it continues. The fact things needed changing shows me doubt in Hardwick. As you say Tigs we were playing a disgusting brand of football I never wanted to see at our club. Bruise free crap.

Let the change continue and then my confidence will grow. Very early crow RT. Finals or busy for Hardwick.

 

[_RT_]

The standard against the Bombers in dreamtime was unacceptable. Whichever way you want to spin it that is a fact.
Clearly the Coaches thought so as well as there has been a massive improvement since then.

Never suggested that Dreamtime was acceptable more that the reaction by some to that game was over the top.

The improvement over the last 2 weeks still does not make that effort in dreamtime acceptable.
It just shows that (and I hope) the Essendon game and that effort was an exception and not the rule.

Agreed

The tackling and intensity in the last 2 weeks has been the best all season. 2 weeks does not make a season.
We still haven't beaten anyone above us so before you go and sign Dimma for a 5 year extension let's just wait and see what pans out.

Not suggesting we sign him for 5 more years, just that he has earned the right to see out his current deal and see what he can deliver with the list that he has built. So far we also haven't lost to anyone below* us, which is something that regularly happened in previous years. We continue to do that for the remainder of the year and we'll be playing finals this year, which is the next step in our development into a top side.

As for not beating anyone above us, only 1 of the losses to sides above us was truly embarrassing which was Dreamtime. We were right in the game against Geelong until we lost our 2 ruckmen within 5 minutes of each other. Against Fremantle we should have won but failed to perform the way we should have in the last 2 minutes. Collingwood pretty much put us to the sword in one quarter. The thing is we still have opportunities to correct this with games against Sydney Hawthorn Fremantle & Essendon to come. IMO we'll be much more competitive in those games if we continue to bring the intensity and discipline that we have the last 2 weeks.

 

[_RT_]

Let the change continue and then my confidence will grow. Very early crow RT. Finals or busy for Hardwick.

Nothing early about it, I believed before the season that we would play finals and while that belief has wavered at times, my faith in Hardwick has never wavered.

 

[Tigerbob]

Nothing early about it, I believed before the season that we would play finals and while that belief has wavered at times, my faith in Hardwick has never wavered.

That's good, congrats on having an opinion.

As I said, Finals or bust. No excuses this year.

 

[Nuggets73]

Wouldn't be getting too far ahead of yourselves .. Tiges are notorious for fading

Good signs, no doubt .. But still much work to be done to make the 8

Roos and Suns are the danger matches

 

[Tigerbob]

Wouldn't be getting too far ahead of yourselves .. Tiges are notorious for fading

Good signs, no doubt .. But still much work to be done to make the 8

Roos and Suns are the danger matches

Exactly.

In my opinion, we have to win the next two games then one of these two you mention.

There is still a long way to go.

The aim should be 14 wins to guarantee finals at the least. That's still 7 wins a way.

Long way to go before early crow threads like this should appear.

 

[Tiger_Of_Old]

. The fact things needed changing shows me doubt in Hardwick.

And to Dimma,s credit he and the players have adressed the issue in the only way how.We are not Geelong YET.

 

[Tiger_Of_Old]

Exactly.

In my opinion, we have to win the next two games then one of these two you mention.

There is still a long way to go.

The aim should be 14 wins to guarantee finals at the least. That's still 7 wins a way.

Long way to go before early crow threads like this should appear.

Rather be in our position than those below us,We may need 6 or 7 but those below us need 1 or 2 more than us.

 

[Neen]

Looking back at the Essendon game, I thin Dimma tried a different approach by playing a possession game. It didn't work. Coupled with a defensive mindset, we were never going to score quickly, or frequently. Next time we play them, it will most likely be a shootout.

Dimma is the right man, and some credit needs to be given to Choco and also the recruiters. We will be playing consistent finals under Dimma, not just a "flash in the pan" like 2001.

 

[scarecrow2k1]

Op is spot on. Posters have always been far too reactionary. People were honestly suggesting sacking hardwick, who has our club in its best position in 30 years. They were suggesting dropping lids, the most talented player in the side. Suggesting newman was past it, our strongest leader. Well guess what, now we're 7-4 ajd lids was bog. Yes we're not there yet, but the club is in a great position. So remember that next time we have a frustrating loss before you embarass yourselves again.