Operation: This team - era of excellence

[Gadzorks]

This team is ... wow. The hawks game has removed any doubt about where we are heading this season. Another loss along the way? So what, we turn up when needed.

After the hawks win the team enthusiasticly belted out the team song.

In wins against struggling teams the song was sung without gutso. Going through the motions, not really celebrating because those games are unbalanced.

Says a lot about mindset. We will turn up to play when it is a fair fight (that doesn't really turn out to be a fair fight) but they don't want to either waste that energy or demolish other teams.

That choice speaks volumes about how good this team is.

Team selection is not an issue. We have depth to spare even if we sometimes get the mix a little wrong.

We have a play structure that enables players to slot in and maintain team structures at elite level.

The players are all driven and go above and beyond - needling that makes us cringe, thousands of extra ball handling drills, professionalism to burn.

A genuine bond between players where they put the team above personal and can almost read each other's minds when they are on.

I've never been a dedicated fan of a team this good before (wasn't onboard for the last era of excellence).

And ... wow.

 

[Mr Ripper]

It's great to know that in an era of rampant mediocrity, we're the best at it.

 

[Coastal Lion]

My biggest delight from the team is that they took the time to make a 20minute video for Fages this genuine love of there coach speaks volumes of the culture that is flowing through our club.

 

[Nunez]

You know we're up and about when we get a Gadzorks special

 

[dlanod]

It's great to know that in an era of rampant mediocrity, we're the best at it.

That's my attitude to our board on BF too!

 

[martinson]

I'm a bit too old school I guess.

When I see the how good are we stuff going up it's usually time to pull our heads in.

I'm happy to think it but saying it hasn't worked too often in my experience.

Just a superstitious old grouch. Sorry.

Let's see how we go over the next month or so.

 

[Elixuh]

Pls Gadzorks don’t do this

 

[Gadzorks]

Pls Gadzorks don’t do this

Didn't think about that. Please lock the thread, or delete. I can't cope with the responsibility.

 

[dlanod]

Didn't think about that. Please lock the thread, or delete. I can't cope with the responsibility.

No worries, I fixed it for you. Nothing has ever gone wrong with that thread title.

 

[martinson]

Pls Gadzorks don’t do this

I promised . Now I deliver.

Here he is yesterday conveniently parked under the croc warning sign just outside the 10th fairway. Sorry . I didn't want to get any closer.

 

[Lazza16]

Didn't think about that. Please lock the thread, or delete. I can't cope with the responsibility.

Quick Gadzzzzz, get out of the bath tub n what ever u do.....Don't taste the water!

 

[Gadzorks]

No worries, I fixed it for you. Nothing has ever gone wrong with that thread title.

Now if we don't win the GF I'll be banished.

 

[Elixuh]

I promised . Now I deliver.

Here he is yesterday conveniently parked under the croc warning sign just outside the 10th fairway. Sorry . I didn't want to get any closer.


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Carnoustie today. No crocs in that water.

 

[Crimso]

I promised . Now I deliver.

Here he is yesterday conveniently parked under the croc warning sign just outside the 10th fairway. Sorry . I didn't want to get any closer.


View attachment 2326169View attachment 2326169

Why and what would the crocs need to be warned about? Stray golf ball’s or flying golf clubs would be about it wouldn’t it? They just need to keep their heads down while golfers are around.

 

[M Malice]

Win another flag or 2 next few years and this eras team will be right up there with the 3Peat side as far as Lions and AFL legendary status is concerned.

It will then be very interesting and difficult to select a combined side form those 2 eras.

 

[Bucking Beads]

This group needs another flag to really fulfil the talent is has.

 

[M Malice]

This group needs another flag to really fulfil the talent is has.

Yes don't want to do a Demons of post 2021, IIRC it was Zorko I was listening to in a Podcast a little while ago and he was saying he thought that side was exceptional/virtually unbeatable at their best and that they would win multiple flags in ensuing years.

I am extremely happy with 1 flag but yer 2-3 flags for this era would be orgasmic levels of elation.

 

[dlanod]

Carnoustie today. No crocs in that water.


View attachment 2326205

It's the crocs you don't see that will get you.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Yes don't want to do a Demons of post 2021, IIRC it was Zorko I was listening to in a Podcast a little while ago and he was saying he thought that side was exceptional/virtually unbeatable at their best and that they would win multiple flags in ensuing years.

I am extremely happy with 1 flag but yer 2-3 flags for this era would be orgasmic levels of elation.

I think one more is a must in the next 2 years is a must.

 

[Tom14]

Carnoustie today. No crocs in that water.


View attachment 2326205

Should really be a Nessie warning sign, poor form Carnoutsie!

 

[Happy_Neale]

Thank you for ruining our season

In all seriousness though sometimes it is good to appreciate what we’ve got at the moment because one day we will be cellar dwellers again

 

[Toffee Lion]

I think one more is a must in the next 2 years is a must.

Not that I overly disagree but I am also very content if we go the Geelong model, looking to stay at the top for as long as possible.

We have already experienced the superteam that wins a few then crumbles, we've now been "good" for 6 years. Only one flag but it's been a bloody good 6 years.

I'd be more than happy to remain good for another 6 years and only pinch 1 flag in that time in comparison to winning 2 in the next 3 then seeing us bottom out again for a decade.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Not that I overly disagree but I am also very content if we go the Geelong model, looking to stay at the top for as long as possible.

We have already experienced the superteam that wins a few then crumbles, we've now been "good" for 6 years. Only one flag but it's been a bloody good 6 years.

I'd be more than happy to remain good for another 6 years and only pinch 1 flag in that time in comparison to winning 2 in the next 3 then seeing us bottom out again for a decade.

I don't necessarily disagree but I do feel it will be harder for us to sustain our current talent levels moving forward. We are stacked and need to make hay while the sun is shining.

 

[Tom14]

Not that I overly disagree but I am also very content if we go the Geelong model, looking to stay at the top for as long as possible.

We have already experienced the superteam that wins a few then crumbles, we've now been "good" for 6 years. Only one flag but it's been a bloody good 6 years.

I'd be more than happy to remain good for another 6 years and only pinch 1 flag in that time in comparison to winning 2 in the next 3 then seeing us bottom out again for a decade.

I'm relaxed about it for at least 5-10 years I reckon. You've got to have perspective on this stuff, 2009-10 Saints one of the best teams since 2000 but barely missed out twice and never got another sniff.

We've got our flag and I'd love to get another with this group but its bloody hard to win one. Those of us millenials and older have seen 4 in living memory which is more some teams have ever had.

 

[knaf]

I think the club is already working on sustaining success for a long period, as the well as putting together a strong and consistent AFL level team ( I prefer this sort of term rather than claiming we have reached a level of excellence).

We have developed players like Smith and Reville over a period of years to around AFL level Now we have Gallop, ZZ, Lloyd and Brain developing in vfl. We have been able to create a culture and environment where players like Lester, Gardiner, Robertson, Fort and Joyce are prepared to stay even though they are not assured of being permanently in the best 23.

Despite attempts by Melbourne based clubs to restrict academy concessions, we will continue to be a club of first choice for Queensland raised talent.

And we seemed to have master the art of managing the expectations of out of contract players who are keen to get out of the fishbowl Melbourne environment and are seeking a Queensland life style. Gaining significant talent without blowing the salary cap.

I am really proud of the club for all this off field work, but let’s not get complacent.