Opinion Melbourne's Confidence

[PerfectFooty]

DISCUSSION
A while ago I made a post about melbourne’s confidence regarding wether if they don’t get the first goal they don’t win. But if they do they challenge a lot and sometimes win. So I decided to research it a bit more. here are my findings

2013 AFL Season

Round 1 Melbourne Vs Port (Port score first and run away)

Round 2 Melbourne Vs Essendon (Essendon get the first and thrash Melbourne)

Round 3 Melbourne Vs WCE (WCE goal first and win by 94)

Round 4 Melbourne Vs GWS (GWS Score fast but melbourne fight hard to win by 41)

Round 5 Melbourne Vs Brisbane (Brisbane Score first but is 33 a piece at break and Melbourne only lose by 28)

Round 6 Melbourne Vs Carlton (Melbourne don’t Score in the 1st and Carlton win by 61)

Round 7 Melbourne Vs Gold Coast (Melbourne don’t score in the 1st and Gold coast win by 60)

Round 8 Melbourne Vs Richmond (Melbourne goal first and lead at 1st only go down by 34)

Round 9 Melbourne Vs Fremantle (Fremantle goal first and beat Melbourne by 90)


Round 10 Melbourne Vs Hawthorn (Melbourne don’t score in the 1st Hawthorn thrash melbourne)

Round 4 and 5 are good example also as they played well in the 1st.
but i recently watched melbourne play and when i see them run onto the field and compete, it make me sad the player when they line up against good sides look as if they feel they can't compete against them. todays game against hawthorn is an example, sure there was some good signs but you can just sense that Melbourne players feel like "what chance have we got against a top 4 side"

 

[Dory_77]

Round 9 Melbourne Vs Fremantle (Fremantle goal first and beat Melbourne by 90)
"

Pretty sure Watts got the first goal in that game.
Also I think they're confidence depends more on how they enter the game and their preparations beforehand, rather than just the performance in the 1st quarters (although how they start will generally reflect how they've prepared). I think that after the first couple of shellackings they got in the years has really hurt their confidence going into games. They come out expecting to lose and play like it. Also games like today and vs WCE where we were competitive and the players clearly tried, but still lost by 95 points. That kills confidence, especially in young players.

 

[Bluelegs]

We scored first in against Fremantle. Watts kicked a goal in the first minute or something.

We also got the 2nd against Essendon not long after they got their goal.

 

[PerfectFooty]

noted, sorry yes watts did get the goal first.

 

[Sir Hugh Percy]

Isn't it the senior coach's job to inspire and fire the team up? I've seen many a poor team go around over the years, but never one so defeated before they even get to the centre for the first bounce.

 

[PerfectFooty]

to me personally it just looks like melbourne don't believe that they can play well againt good sides. it seems like melbourne just believe that if it's a top eight side or a good side that they believe that they can't compete with them, and write themselves off. thats just the way i see them, and sadly thats how i think they approach big games such as yesterdays and collingwood on monday.

 

[jhong]

to me it seems our team cannot play the bash and crash footy that neeld is trying to implement for more than a quarter or 2 before being physically overwhelmed , a midfield that can and will be improved (we hope) next draught or trade period will go a long way in turning us around.

 

[ramastar]

What about Melbourne Members/Fans confidence?
I have to admit, yesterdays game wasn’t even painful. This kind of thing is just par for course. In fact I was slightly happy, we didn’t lose by 100 points. Almost felt like a mini win.

 

[Topkent]

I am still watching clips of the 3rd an last quarter and I'm reasonably satisfied , he'll we were ok in the first half of the qtr before they hit the scoreboard hard , it was really only the second they destroyed us

 

[jhong]

Hawk fan i know went to the game , says our team is just punchdrunk , changing coaches now will make no difference, too many of our players disposals' under pressure are panic disposals , You can't teach composure ,you learn it throu experience ,but even some of our experienced players revert to old habits under pressure .

 

[Topkent]

Hawk fan i know went to the game , says our team is just punchdrunk , changing coaches now will make no difference, too many of our players disposals' under pressure are panic disposals , You can't teach composure ,you learn it throu experience ,but even some of our experienced players revert to old habits under pressure .

Yeah but the hope is with more confidence in the plan they might not make these mistakes ..

 

[jhong]

Yeah but the hope is with more confidence in the plan they might not make these mistakes ..

And thats part of the issue , every turn over seems to kill us. Dog chasing his tail comes to mind , making 5-6 changes every match can't be helping confidence or continuity .