Malthouse: Forget praise and refocus

[boulos]

• COLLINGWOOD coach Mick Malthouse has warned his players to remain hungry and not settle for one taste of victory this September.

After yesterday's stunning 31-point win over Adelaide in the elimination final at AAMI Stadium, Malthouse said the focus had to be on winning the next knockout match on Saturday night against the loser of today's qualifying final between Geelong and St Kilda.
"They're going to get a lot of slaps on the back and all that sort of stuff," he said of the victory, which meant the Magpies have not lost an interstate final since 1994.
"And it's so important that we refocus. We can't be satisfied. It was a great result but we can't just sit back now and be satisfied that we won our first final.
"If you can win a finals match . . . they're so hard to win. There's no question about that, I thought the boys were terrific. Particularly against a side like Adelaide, they remind me of the German soccer side. Once they get in front they're happy with a 1-0 lead and they'll defend it and win the game.

"That's why it was so important that we didn't let them get in front. We didn't and we were able to rebound in the third quarter which was terrific and then the pressure went back on the other side to score."
Collingwood started well but then had to fight back from four goals down in the second quarter. Malthouse said he never doubted the team could do it if it stuck to the game plan.
"Our playing group know without a shadow of a doubt they are comprehensively assessed by myself (in) the way they perform in finals," Malthouse said.
"I've seen some terrific players, players finish high up in the Brownlow or club best and fairests, not handle the occasions. At the end of the day those players, they're better off moving out and finding another club because you've got to be able to trust players.
"We have our game structures that is made for home and away matches and to play finals footy. It's not something that has to be changed dramatically or changed at all during a finals campaign.
"So if they can handle playing that type of role during the year we expect them to stand up in finals. Not everyone is going to do that and in some cases there's a forgiveness period with kids, you might give them one or two more games, but with senior players, they play according to what we want or you play the kids and they've been pretty good."
Malthouse said the two goals by Dane Swan closing on half-time were crucial in wresting back some momentum. And he said Dale Thomas confirmed his credentials as a top-line player.
"They were critical there's no question about that," he said of Swan's feats. "It was against the play in many respects. You don't get cheap goals against Adelaide and they weren't cheap, they were well thought out by Swanny. I had a go at him four or five weeks ago that he just wasn't kicking goals. He had a number of shots but since then he might have missed one or two but he's kicking them."
It was an inspired Collingwood that upset the Crows with best-on-ground Nick Maxwell playing a midfield role on Scott Thompson. Malthouse said it was a gamble that paid off.
"I guess that's where you have the swinging vote as a senior coach," he said.
"Inspiration comes at various times and not always at match committee. This one may have been . . . I can't really remember, sitting watching something . . . but given Nick, his devotion to being one, a solid citizen and two, a solid player and a good leader, he may have been able to come to grips with that role.
"Given that Scott Burns is out and (Alan) Didak's not playing, we just seemed to be just that one player short and I thought if it worked it would work and if it didn't then you'd go back on the half-back flank and don't say I'm an idiot. I don't know if I'll do it again next week, depends who we play."

Pretty standard article, but I was rather interested in what malthouse's bolded comments: What does that say about Cook's miss late in the game? I could be reading too much into it though.

 

[Soul_Pie]

Pretty standard article, but I was rather interested in what malthouse's bolded comments: What does that say about Cook's miss late in the game? I could be reading too much into it though.

I don't think it really means anything. I mean, let's not forget that Rhyce Shaw is still in the team, and we know what a monumental stuff up he made in the 03 grand final.

 

[anti.]

thought cook played quite well anyway. yeah he missed a sitter but shit happens.

 

[Godfrey Jones]

he did say for the youngsters theres a forgiveness period. but look other than the miss, cook didnt disgrace himself.

and this is why he regards cloke, marty, goldsack, pendles, thomas etc so highly as kids and puts so much faith in them - he saw how they all stood up in last years finals.

 

[Thommo 42]

Cook hit the post from 15m.

Cloke just amanged to hit the grandstand from 25m.

Don't read anything into it, other than that Cook missed a sitter and Cloke is a world class shanker

 

[Jabso]

Pretty standard article, but I was rather interested in what malthouse's bolded comments: What does that say about Cook's miss late in the game? I could be reading too much into it though.

Cook played his best game for the club in a final, you may well say it wasn't that good but he did step up.

Perhaps he is talking about the non selection of Johnson? Perhaps he didn't really have someone in mind.

 

[malteaser]

I don't think it really means anything. I mean, let's not forget that Rhyce Shaw is still in the team, and we know what a monumental stuff up he made in the 03 grand final.

also leon no touches

 

[mdc]

I don't think it really means anything. I mean, let's not forget that Rhyce Shaw is still in the team, and we know what a monumental stuff up he made in the 03 grand final.

Pretty much. The "I judge players in finals" is just his way of getting young players to perform.

I can't recall anyone that we've let go just because they were below par in a couple of finals.

 

[Daicos Mullets]

I don't think MM was aiming that at anyone specifically. He has said a number of times in the past that he places a greater value on how players perform in finals.

 

[boulos]

In hindsight, it was 2 am and I definately was reading too much into it.

 

[Outa McSporren]

I've heard Mick make this sort of statement before and not just in finals. There's been a couple of blokes in the past couple of years who managed to get to the first game or two in their career and if they didn't show a great deal that was pretty much it for them. One that stands out for me is Danny Nichols, came into the side and made a few critical errors in his first or second game or so and then that was it, back to the ressies never to play seniors again. Again this year look at Sam Iles, been playing pretty well in the ressies but in his first or second game did some ok things but also some not so ok things and didn't really make anyone sit up and take notice. Now he can't crack the ones no matter how well he plays.

I got the feeling that had Cook not responded to the challenge handed out to him a few weeks ago he may have followed a similar path but he seems to have taken his chance and run with it and Mick has made special mention of his efforts. And again Toovey, was told to come in and play a run with role and because he did it to some effect he has earnt himself another chance probably. Basically a long way around saying I think he may be true to his word.

 

[mdc]

I've heard Mick make this sort of statement before and not just in finals. There's been a couple of blokes in the past couple of years who managed to get to the first game or two in their career and if they didn't show a great deal that was pretty much it for them. One that stands out for me is Danny Nichols, came into the side and made a few critical errors in his first or second game or so and then that was it, back to the ressies never to play seniors again. Again this year look at Sam Iles, been playing pretty well in the ressies but in his first or second game did some ok things but also some not so ok things and didn't really make anyone sit up and take notice. Now he can't crack the ones no matter how well he plays.

I got the feeling that had Cook not responded to the challenge handed out to him a few weeks ago he may have followed a similar path but he seems to have taken his chance and run with it and Mick has made special mention of his efforts. And again Toovey, was told to come in and play a run with role and because he did it to some effect he has earnt himself another chance probably. Basically a long way around saying I think he may be true to his word.

Danny Nichols played the worst game of football I've ever seen on debut, and showed absolutely nothing. He was a rookie to begin with, so it's not exactly surprising he didn't make it.

Iles is a bit different, but I think it might just be a size issue. I certainly think Iles did more in his first couple of games than Cook, but Cook at least has one AFL "skill" (endurance) whereas Iles doesn't really.

As others have said, there's lots of examples of players playing shocking in big games and being persevered with.

 

[cakewalk_1]

I don't think MM was aiming that at anyone specifically. He has said a number of times in the past that he places a greater value on how players perform in finals.

Interestling on 3aw this Saturday about an hour before the game. Bucks said "Finals experience is over rated" I nearly crashed the car.
The panel was talking about who had more finals experience Coll or Adel.

 

[mdc]

Interestling on 3aw this Saturday about an hour before the game. Bucks said "Finals experience is over rated" I nearly crashed the car.
The panel was talking about who had more finals experience Coll or Adel.

The great man is right.

The value placed on "experience" is the most bizarre thing in sports. There is no factual basis for it.

 

[boulos]

The great man is right.

The value placed on "experience" is the most bizarre thing in sports. There is no factual basis for it.

Have to agree, you only have to look as far as Geelong 2007, if anything, they played better in finals than they did in the H&A season.

 

[Outa McSporren]

Danny Nichols played the worst game of football I've ever seen on debut, and showed absolutely nothing. He was a rookie to begin with, so it's not exactly surprising he didn't make it.

Iles is a bit different, but I think it might just be a size issue. I certainly think Iles did more in his first couple of games than Cook, but Cook at least has one AFL "skill" (endurance) whereas Iles doesn't really.

As others have said, there's lots of examples of players playing shocking in big games and being persevered with.

Yeh fair call, I guess what I am trying to say (but not very well) is that Mick seems to make his mind up pretty early about blokes. It might be that someone fulfills their role, and even if they didn't set the world on fire to Mick that means that they stepped up to the challenge. I would say that it's the way players respond to what is asked of them that he makes judgement on and it's that criteria which they only get limited chances in. It seems to be Mick's coaching down to a tea, have the courage of your convictions and once he's made that call on a player that's it he has no interest any more.

 

[cakewalk_1]

Have to agree, you only have to look as far as Geelong 2007, if anything, they played better in finals than they did in the H&A season.

True,
Who could or would ever argue with the great buckley. Love listening to his insight on the game.

What a shame he never got hold the premierhsip cup.

 

[boulos]

True,
Who could or would ever argue with the great buckley. Love listening to his insight on the game.

What a shame he never got hold the premierhsip cup.

As a player.

He still has hope.