Heart

[hellfire]

I don't want to start another negative thread, but I just want to see what others think. Our players really seem to be lacking heart at the moment. I can't see the passion like I felt I could in the past. I don't know if this is a result of diminished leadership following the retirement of such large leadership figures (Buckley, Clement, Licuria, Burns, Wakelin), or whether there is just something wrong with the "feeling" around the club. But I remember looking at us during 2007 (the finals in particular) and seeing so much passion on the field. We really wanted to win.

But sitting there on Saturday in the last few minutes, I saw an Essendon side that was on a mission, they wanted those 4 points so badly. And when I looked at us, I saw tired faces who had almost stopped trying. I watched Essendon get over Carlton a few weeks back and looked on with envy at the passion and heart that they showed, they lifted to overcome a superior outfit on paper. When was the last time we won a really tight match like that? We've lost to Essendon, Adelaide, North (last year), Brisbane (last year) all by a goal or less... all matches should've been ours.

That second game agaisnt the Saints last year was the last time I remember seeing real passion for the boys. I want to see some fire in the eyes again, I want to see some passion for the jumper. Believe it or not, it was Leigh Brown - after he kicked that goal - that best showed some emotion on Saturday. I want to go back to seeing Medhurst (who still does try his guts out admittedly) grabbing the jumper and showing it to the crowd. I want to see some passion after kicking goals and winning games. See the way Essendon sung the song? Apart from the Saints match last year, I can't remember seeing that since 2007 SF!

Yes, I know we also beat Geelong last year, and won an away final with a young outfit... but our heart is FAR from consistent. Some weeks I question if the players care (I know they do, but it doesn't look like it at times). And I also know there are other factors - i.e. gameplan.

But cmon boys, fire up! Get out there and win some ****ing footy! Attack the ball like your life depended on it, bleed for this sacred jumper if you have to! Have some pride in yourselves and what you represent as a team! If we can do that, we can turn our season around and do anything we want to do!

You want to see some bloody heart? Watch this:

[YOUTUBE]UMEy1uarVAc[/YOUTUBE]

Go the PIES!

 

[MarkT]

Not so sure about lacking heart. I’d say maybe lacking inspirational leadership on the field and also off it. By off the field I mean it is harder for a 10 year coach to inspire than a newer coach. Harder for him and harder for the players. Not sure that made much difference on the weekend. What I do think makes a difference is unwavering commitment to the game plan. It works or it doesn’t and when it doesn’t you can’t win. In 2 games that were there for the taking this season plan A didn’t get it over the line. It is easier to defend against a known game plan and players are less creative using it.

If you saw the players at the end of the game I don’t think you could question their heart. You can certainly question their hardness though. We don’t have enough tough players. That’s partly why Maxwell is captain. Unfortunately you also need your tough players to be damaging in a football sense as well. There can be no more clearer example of what I mean by lacking toughness as Ryder being BOG. Hille goes down and not only does Fraser let a novice run is own race but no one else does anything about it. You don’t have to belt him behind play but you do have to jump into him tackle him hard and wear him into the ground. I sat there during the game wondering what Monkhurst would have done.

Nothing has really changed since 2003 if you ask me. Same deficiencies and similar results.

 

[Frankie23]

Im stting right next to the race on friday night, i am actually so close to organising a massive poster that has Zaharakis celebrating, hopefully if they saw it whilst running out they could fire up! Cause it is lacking...

 

[Ant85]

Wrote a similar thread post-Geelong match.

We do lack heart.

Not all of us, some try their best every week (Beams), but we are let down too often by the same lazy footballers (e.g. Josh Fraser).

Why that's the case? I have no idea, and I don't think MM knows either.

If our leadership group can't get motivated (Josh, Tarks, Cloke), how can our young guns find inspiration?

Same story every year.

This loss cut deep. If we don't smash North Melbourne next week, the lack of heart in the playing group will show, and I think question marks will need to be put on players in our leadership group.

If they can't get motivated after such a horrible loss, I don't know what will.

 

[mattys123]

I think the only question is, where is out heart?

The answer, at least on Saturday, is in the stands.

Whenever we are in trouble on the field, we only have one player that is truly capable of "rallying" the troops and showing "genuine" leadership, and the problem is, he wasnt there.

Nick Maxwell was made captain partly based on his performance in the Adelaide final last year, when in the 2nd quarter we were under extreme pressure, Nick grabbed the 6 defenders in a huddle, and demanded more.

Fast forward 45 mins, and we are in front, with Maxwell kicking 2 goals just before half time to help that.

We have heart, and some of young players have it in spades (Pendles, Swan, Beams, Barham, Anthony), yet we are still a relatively young team that needs leadership.

We will not lose to Nth this week, partly because they are no good, but mainly because Maxwell is back.

We need our captain out on the field, in my opinion it probably cost us the Essendon game, and yes I know we got up for the Brisbane game, but that form may be flawed anyway.

We need our captain.

 

[Dylz48]

I think the only question is, where is out heart?

The answer, at least on Saturday, is in the stands.

Whenever we are in trouble on the field, we only have one player that is truly capable of "rallying" the troops and showing "genuine" leadership, and the problem is, he wasnt there.

Nick Maxwell was made captain partly based on his performance in the Adelaide final last year, when in the 2nd quarter we were under extreme pressure, Nick grabbed the 6 defenders in a huddle, and demanded more.

Fast forward 45 mins, and we are in front, with Maxwell kicking 2 goals just before half time to help that.

We have heart, and some of young players have it in spades (Pendles, Swan, Beams, Barham, Anthony), yet we are still a relatively young team that needs leadership.

We will not lose to Nth this week, partly because they are no good, but mainly because Maxwell is back.

We need our captain out on the field, in my opinion it probably cost us the Essendon game, and yes I know we got up for the Brisbane game, but that form may be flawed anyway.

We need our captain.

geez never knew about that maxy thing in the Adelaide final very impressed.

 

[Snag Breac]

I think the only question is, where is out heart?

The answer, at least on Saturday, is in the stands.

Whenever we are in trouble on the field, we only have one player that is truly capable of "rallying" the troops and showing "genuine" leadership, and the problem is, he wasnt there.

Nick Maxwell was made captain partly based on his performance in the Adelaide final last year, when in the 2nd quarter we were under extreme pressure, Nick grabbed the 6 defenders in a huddle, and demanded more.

Fast forward 45 mins, and we are in front, with Maxwell kicking 2 goals just before half time to help that.

We have heart, and some of young players have it in spades (Pendles, Swan, Beams, Barham, Anthony), yet we are still a relatively young team that needs leadership.

We will not lose to Nth this week, partly because they are no good, but mainly because Maxwell is back.

We need our captain out on the field, in my opinion it probably cost us the Essendon game, and yes I know we got up for the Brisbane game, but that form may be flawed anyway.

We need our captain.

A post full of insight, heart and healing balm.