Mental Toughness

[bombadeer]

Just watching the Eagles game last night - the more-than-usual hostile reception of the Essendon team, and Jobe in particular - to stand up like that, playing not just against the opposition team but the wave of hostility emanating from the crowd. This team seems to be tough - Jobe the epitome of that psychological hardiness.

I reckon it was the best performance so far this year from that perspective - is this team becoming physically and mentally tough?

Two teams over the last 4-5 years universally recognized as mentally tough - Geelong and St Kilda - were winning or threatening to win premierships.

Despite the off-field turmoil, do you think we have reason to feel positive about the next few years for the bombers?

 

[Old Campaigner]

Yes

 

[Valve Bounce]

Just watching the Eagles game last night - the more-than-usual hostile reception of the Essendon team, and Jobe in particular - to stand up like that, playing not just against the opposition team but the wave of hostility emanating from the crowd. This team seems to be tough - Jobe the epitome of that psychological hardiness.

I reckon it was the best performance so far this year from that perspective - is this team becoming physically and mentally tough?

Two teams over the last 4-5 years universally recognized as mentally tough - Geelong and St Kilda - were winning or threatening to win premierships.

Despite the off-field turmoil, do you think we have reason to feel positive about the next few years for the bombers?

I watched the replay yesterday, and I have to admit that for the first three quarters, the Eagles outplayed us. They played good foot, and took advantage of all our mistakes.
However, our guys lifted in the last quarter, and the Eagles appeared to be distracted by the continued booing which seemed to be pointless by then.

Certainly, coming back from 4 goals down against a team playing so well was one helluva achievement. When our guys can come back like that in the face of adversity, then they did great. That tap from Watson to Jake Melsham ( who kicked the winning point, ) was pure genius, and that goal from Dyson was the icing on the cake.

 

[ProfessorGaz]

Just watching the Eagles game last night - the more-than-usual hostile reception of the Essendon team, and Jobe in particular - to stand up like that, playing not just against the opposition team but the wave of hostility emanating from the crowd. This team seems to be tough - Jobe the epitome of that psychological hardiness.

I reckon it was the best performance so far this year from that perspective - is this team becoming physically and mentally tough?

Two teams over the last 4-5 years universally recognized as mentally tough - Geelong and St Kilda - were winning or threatening to win premierships.

Despite the off-field turmoil, do you think we have reason to feel positive about the next few years for the bombers?

Agree with you wholeheartedly except for one erroneous claim...

St Kilda? Mentally tough???

WTF

The only St Kilda player in recent times to possess anything bearing so much as a slight resemblance to psychological strength was Brendon Goddard. This (in addition to his quality disposal) was the primary reason we procured his services.

Furthermore, on behalf of the EFC, I categorically reject any comparison between us and St Kilda.

 

[GandalfTheDon]

I've noticed this as well, absolutely great to have a reputation as come back kings, and a genuine never say die attitude. Especially happy that we've decimated the fade outs of old.

Re the West Coast game, just another great performance from behind. Scenes after the game just proved how close knit the playing group are, and that any so called journalist who says otherwise (looking at your carro and barrett), is an absolute flog!

 

[kfc1]

Obviously thymosin injections increase mental strength

 

[Old Campaigner]

Obviously thymosin injections increase mental strength

Nah, it's the pig brain that does the mental stuff

 

[bombadeer]

Agree with you wholeheartedly except for one erroneous claim...

St Kilda? Mentally tough???

I rate them - one exhibition of mental toughness is the ability to win close games (*), to come back from significant deficits, and to absorb pressure. The St Kilda team in premiership contention a few years back frequently did these things - they drew a gf they had no right to on the back of two very tough operators - Goddard and Hayes.

I might be in the minority here, but winning premierships is not the sole or even most important measure of a team - the vigor, toughness and passion of the players for the jumper trumps all

* ok, all St Kilda games were close... but still.