Lets Get Excited

[_RT_]

IIRC Ray haven't you in the past blasted March for coming out and saying that we're aiming for finals this year and anything less is unacceptable. Yet here you are demanding that Newman and Cotchin if he is captain next year should be saying the exact same thing.

 

[freezer]

good sides say they expect to win every game - not come out each week and say they're going to beat 'X.'

IMO, it's not a loaded question for a club and a captain that's serious about success.

Yeah good teams do expect to win every week. So why not come out and say you'll win the flag every year? Footy just doesn't work that way, players and coaches keep a lid on things in the media, because of how it's used against you by opposition teams, and that's it.

For us finals is a massive step up next year, and will be a very tough scrap against some very competitive sides that will be going for the same 6th-8th spots. Doesn't mean we dont expect to make it, but that we dont see any benefit in coming out and saying it.

To some extent we can only speculate about what is said behind closed doors (I suspect it's the 'we're much too professional to talk about finals incase we fail again' routine repeated with a 'let's claim a top-4 scalp' twist), but there's no speculation to the reality that giving that kind of half-arsed response in an interview doesn't help achieve the club aims which were behind granting the interview request in the first place.

a) I can guarantee you any club coached by a bloke of the quality and pedigree of dimma will not have such wishy washy goals when they are behind closed doors, to think so is laughable

b) No one from the club asked the reporter to throw the finals question in. Any mid table side (and we were 12th last year remember) would play a straight bat to that at this time of year.

c) Again I can assure you the clubs aims are not in anyway reliant on a throwaway comment made to the media at an airport in Nov!!

 

[rammbo]

No matter what sport ya play you should b aiming at finals but i dont think ya need to spruik about it.

 

[tesseract]

WC won a spoon in 2010, yet that didn't stop Darren Glass saying to the WA media that he expects the Eagles to play finals football in 2011.

There's a thread started by Moo on Bay13 which turned into an epic troll backfire regarding Glass' statement at the time.

Richmond have some damn good youngens coming through. Why hide in your shell about naming the goal as making the finals. If Richmond fail to make the finals, perhaps the media blowtorch will bring further unity and resolve to the group to silence the critics in 2013.

 

[CallMeAl]

Regarldess off what is said to journos by players and staff, the club expects to make the finals next year, that is pretty much self evident, if you think about it.

 

[Ruanaidh]

Ok, had a bit more time to appreciate our increasing depth, particularly in the midfield with the addition of Lids and Conca. The resultant mild level of excitement has caused me to upgrade from a 10-12 finish to a 7-10. If we win 2 out of the first 5, anything is possible.

 

[NQTIGER]

I'm thinking the same... ...

Thats not very exciting Dan, You need to be excited....

 

[NQTIGER]

I'm afraid I'm still completely lost as to the difference in your mind between getting flogged in finals one year being disastrous, and the next year it's perfectly fine.

I'm just going to have to assume that you've seen the light regarding your 2011 opinion.

You need to be carefull with the truth there Ray, Its only an opinion that playing finals in one year is disastrous and playing finals in another year is perfectly ok.

I for one am excited that we will play finals.

 

[doddy87]

Only reason I try not to get too excited is because every year in the last 24 I have held hope this will be our year.... every year they break my heart! Hence I try to keep a lid on it, I'd go insane otherwise

 

[tugga]

Only reason I try not to get too excited is because every year in the last 24 I have held hope this will be our year.... every year they break my heart! Hence I try to keep a lid on it, I'd go insane otherwise

Same for me. I know exactly what you are talking about. The defence mechanism kicks in.

 

[Punt_Road_Roar]

Dreaming ............

Come out Round 1 against Carlton the whole footy world including the head honchos at AFL headquarters sitting back waiting for Richmond to get another pantsing by the Blues ... we get mocked in the week leading up by all Blues fans and richmond haters ....


We come out Round 1 and turn the AFL on its head and win by 4 goal.

This place would explode.

 

[DerpWerls]

Dreaming ............

Come out Round 1 against Carlton the whole footy world including the head honchos at AFL headquarters sitting back waiting for Richmond to get another pantsing by the Blues ... we get mocked in the week leading up by all Blues fans and richmond haters ....


We come out Round 1 and turn the AFL on its head and win by 4 goal.

This place would explode.

If we have at least 2 wins after round 5, THEN I will be excited!
That's not asking too much is it?

 

[NQTIGER]

Dreaming ............

Come out Round 1 against Carlton the whole footy world including the head honchos at AFL headquarters sitting back waiting for Richmond to get another pantsing by the Blues ... we get mocked in the week leading up by all Blues fans and richmond haters ....


We come out Round 1 and turn the AFL on its head and win by 4 goal.

This place would explode.

We should start a Round 1 thread...........i think their time is up tiges by 35

 

[NQTIGER]

If we have at least 2 wins after round 5, THEN I will be excited!
That's not asking too much is it?

Is that 2 wins from the first 5 ? or 2 wins after round 5? If its the latter i cant get excited.

 

[Rayzorwire]

IIRC Ray haven't you in the past blasted March for coming out and saying that we're aiming for finals this year and anything less is unacceptable. Yet here you are demanding that Newman and Cotchin if he is captain next year should be saying the exact same thing.

Huge difference between a president unneccesarily stating 'finals or else' to the media when the coach is heading into the last year of his contract and going to be under siege anyway without that being said, and a captain saying it when we have a stable coaching group that the board is happy with and the stated aim of playing finals this year is part of our fundraising (the frequent media articles are clearly a strategic component of that).

Footy just doesn't work that way...

a) I can guarantee you...

c) Again I can assure you...

Not a lot of point continuing a debate with someone who treats their own speculation as gospel fact. You're entitled to your 'facts' (I wouldn't dare say 'opinion'), I disagree.

WC won a spoon in 2010, yet that didn't stop Darren Glass saying to the WA media that he expects the Eagles to play finals football in 2011.

...

Richmond have some damn good youngens coming through. Why hide in your shell about naming the goal as making the finals.

It's an attitude and mental state that is a foreign concept to many here tesser, and I guess given our lack of success, it's not that surprising from supporters or players.

 

[_RT_]

Huge difference between a president unneccesarily stating 'finals or else' to the media when the coach is heading into the last year of his contract and going to be under siege anyway without that being said, and a captain saying it when we have a stable coaching group that the board is happy with and the stated aim of playing finals this year is part of our fundraising (the frequent media articles are clearly a strategic component of that).

It would be no different to Newman coming out and saying we expect to play finals in 2012 with Hardwick entering the the last year of his contract. All it would take is a poor start to the season where we got belted in 3 of the first 5 weeks and the media would be all over us like a rash and you know it.

The same thing happened at the Dogs, Eade had them play finals for the last 4-5 years and Smorgon came out and said anything less than a GF is unacceptable or words to that effect. The Dogs had a horror start to the season and Eade went from a pretty safe and secure head coach to under pressure quick smart. IIRC if we had of beaten them in round 8 the media were speculating that he would have got the sack.

 

[Rayzorwire]

It would be no different to Newman coming out and saying we expect to play finals in 2012 with Hardwick entering the the last year of his contract.

Didn't we already extend Hardwick's contract by another year - or did that talk get scuttled due to the fact it was first mooted around the time of the Carton disaster?

Regardless, of course there's a big difference between the President of the club (who has the power to guide the board toward sacking the coach) saying 'finals or else' and a captain simply saying that the group expects to play finals and would consider anything else to be a failure.

The same thing happened at the Dogs, Eade had them play finals for the last 4-5 years and Smorgon came out and said anything less than a GF is unacceptable or words to that effect. The Dogs had a horror start to the season and Eade went from a pretty safe and secure head coach to under pressure quick smart.

Again, Smorgon is in the position to hire and fire the coach, so IMO, it's not his place to be setting public 'or else' type of ultimatums.

You'll note that despite last year and all that happened for them, Boyd is in the HUN today saying that the players will work their arses off over the summer to ensure their premiership window stays open. He talks like a leader and he always backs it up on the field. Personally, I'd swap him and his leadership qualities for half a dozen Newman's.

 

[_RT_]

Didn't we already extend Hardwick's contract by another year - or did that talk get scuttled due to the fact it was first mooted around the time of the Carton disaster?

Regardless, of course there's a big difference between the President of the club (who has the power to guide the board toward sacking the coach) saying 'finals or else' and a captain simply saying that the group expects to play finals and would consider anything else to be a failure.

Again, Smorgon is in the position to hire and fire the coach, so IMO, it's not his place to be setting public 'or else' type of ultimatums.

You'll note that despite last year and all that happened for them, Boyd is in the HUN today saying that the players will work their arses off over the summer to ensure their premiership window stays open. He talks like a leader and he always backs it up on the field. Personally, I'd swap him and his leadership qualities for half a dozen Newman's.

Sorry Ray still disagree. Especially in our situation where we haven't made finals since 2001 and only twice since 1982. As mentioned as soon as March made his statement and things went pear shaped the media just lined up to have a shot at us.

The same thing would happen if Newman was to come out and say that we expect to play finals this year and anything less is a failure, you just know that the media would be lining up waiting for us to have a blowout loss.

Even though I'm confident of playing finals this year I'm glad that the club is playing it down to a certain degree, the last thing we need is the media on our backs early on especially with our draw.

 

[Barry_Badrinath]

I log onto bigfooty a few minutes ago, I look at the main board and what do I see?

-Bombers, Dees, Tiges, North – views from the outside
-Will the tigers fans turn on Dimma when they miss the eight this year.
-All Clubs to benefit except Richmond
-Bulldogs latest marketing campaign.
-Who should really play Essendon in the dream time game.
-Richmond- No longer a power club
-Simon Hogan admits he considered suicide during his battle with depression.
-Tiger players dropping hint they want Airline upgrade - Now please Virgin

6 of the last 8 threads are about the Tiges. A few were thanks to one particular Essendon troll.

Imagine the discussion generated if we surge up the ladder next year.......

 

[NQTIGER]

I log onto bigfooty a few minutes ago, I look at the main board and what do I see?

-Bombers, Dees, Tiges, North – views from the outside
-Will the tigers fans turn on Dimma when they miss the eight this year.
-All Clubs to benefit except Richmond
-Bulldogs latest marketing campaign.
-Who should really play Essendon in the dream time game.
-Richmond- No longer a power club
-Simon Hogan admits he considered suicide during his battle with depression.
-Tiger players dropping hint they want Airline upgrade - Now please Virgin

6 of the last 8 threads are about the Tiges. A few were thanks to one particular Essendon troll.

Imagine the discussion generated if we surge up the ladder next year.......

Surprised none were started by Melbourne supporters, but then again they are captained by Brad Greenvest

 

[DerpWerls]

Is that 2 wins from the first 5 ? or 2 wins after round 5? If its the latter i cant get excited.

No I meant beating Melbourne + one of Carlton/Collingwood/Geelong/West Coast, imagine the media frenzy

 

[Rayzorwire]

Sorry Ray still disagree. Especially in our situation where we haven't made finals since 2001 and only twice since 1982. As mentioned as soon as March made his statement and things went pear shaped the media just lined up to have a shot at us.

The same thing would happen if Newman was to come out and say that we expect to play finals this year and anything less is a failure, you just know that the media would be lining up waiting for us to have a blowout loss.

Even though I'm confident of playing finals this year I'm glad that the club is playing it down to a certain degree, the last thing we need is the media on our backs early on especially with our draw.

Was Hardwick's contract extended or not? It's a question (already asked) which is critical to your argument IMO.

IMO (and I mean this with no personal attack implied), your thinking exemplifies all that has been wrong with this club for a long time.

'oh no, we had one bad loss'

'oh no, we lost two in a row'

'oh no, we lost to [side x who is considered below us]'

'oh no, the media are going to crucify us'

'oh no, the supporters are going to burn us at the stake'

Forget all that 'oh no' rubbish, just go out there and want to fix it badly enough that the job gets done.

The Saints were dead and buried and not playing finals last year according to the media and the experts - their pre-season disasters and fall from grace put them under the blowtorch way more than our blokes could even imagine. But they're tough and they ignored all that external bollocks and turned things around.

That's the difference between successful clubs and professional losers - you're bigger than anything else anyone else can throw at you and you refuse to let your belief be denied by anyone.

 

[_RT_]

Was Hardwick's contract extended or not? It's a question (already asked) which is critical to your argument IMO.

IMO (and I mean this with no personal attack implied), your thinking exemplifies all that has been wrong with this club for a long time.

'oh no, we had one bad loss'

'oh no, we lost two in a row'

'oh no, we lost to [side x who is considered below us]'

'oh no, the media are going to crucify us'

'oh no, the supporters are going to burn us at the stake'

Forget all that 'oh no' rubbish, just go out there and want to fix it badly enough that the job gets done.

The Saints were dead and buried and not playing finals last year according to the media and the experts - their pre-season disasters and fall from grace put them under the blowtorch way more than our blokes could even imagine. But they're tough and they ignored all that external bollocks and turned things around.

That's the difference between successful clubs and professional losers - you're bigger than anything else anyone else can throw at you and you refuse to let your belief be denied by anyone.

Sorry Ray meant to answer the question on Hardwick, at this stage there has been no extention. IIRC there was talk in October about trying to get it locked away late this year early next year, but at this stage nothing.

From what I have heard the playing list believes that they are a good shot of playing finals next season and has set themselves the goal of playing finals and won't accept anything less. However because of our recent poor record they don't want to come across as being cocky or over confident, hence none of them are mentioning finals publicly, but believe me there is an air of confidence and a bit of the old Tiger swagger returning to Punt Rd.

 

[MightyTiger]

Didn't we already extend Hardwick's contract by another year - or did that talk get scuttled due to the fact it was first mooted around the time of the Carton disaster?

Was actually brought up almost 30 days after the Carlton game.

Regardless, of course there's a big difference between the President of the club (who has the power to guide the board toward sacking the coach) saying 'finals or else'

Pretty sure Gale mentioned Finals when he announced the 3-0-75 plan, 3 Finals appearances in 5 years with a top4 Finish on the cards as well, this was in Dimmas first year of Coach.

and a captain simply saying that the group expects to play finals and would consider anything else to be a failure.

Of course anything else would be a failure, but, lets be real here, our list was and is still a fair bit away from being constant finals performers, I'm sure the club would love to be playing finals every year but our list was in a shocking state and it needs time to develop the new kids along with the previously listed players before Hardwicks arrival.

Again, Smorgon is in the position to hire and fire the coach, so IMO, it's not his place to be setting public 'or else' type of ultimatums.

Was hardly an ultimatum, more of a goal then anything else, and considering the Dogs had been constant finals performers for the past 3-5 years I'd say he was well within his rights to expect more with what the list had produced previously.

You'll note that despite last year and all that happened for them, Boyd is in the HUN today saying that the players will work their arses off over the summer to ensure their premiership window stays open. He talks like a leader and he always backs it up on the field. Personally, I'd swap him and his leadership qualities for half a dozen Newman's.

So all the highly rated players at the club such as Deledio, Cotchin, Riewoldt, Foley, Tuck etc are wrong and your opinion is what matters most?

I mean lets not let the facts get in the way or anything, I mean its not like the Captain gets voted in on a yearly basis.

 

[NQTIGER]

No I meant beating Melbourne + one of Carlton/Collingwood/Geelong/West Coast, imagine the media frenzy

Why not beat all of them and get everyone Really Really Excited.