The 'spark'

[Sargemo369]

After watching the couch last night and listening to bomber there seemed to be a lot of talk about finding the 'spark' heading into the finals.

The place to find it? Watch the last 7 minutes or so of 2007 grand final. Look at emotions and passions the boys had, the joy, the tears, the incredible football we played. Just the good times the boys seemed to be having together.

I struggle to keep dry eyes watching those last few minutes, seeing how much it meant to everyone involved with the Geelong footy club. Especially Billy and the boot-strapper. I often watch the game when I need a bit of a lift. Just this morning I thought I'd watch the last quarter while having breakfast.

If I were a player and needed a bit of a pump up this would be it! C-mon boys!

 

[catters05]

After watching the couch last night and listening to bomber there seemed to be a lot of talk about finding the 'spark' heading into the finals.

The place to find it? Watch the last 7 minutes or so of 2007 grand final. Look at emotions and passions the boys had, the joy, the tears, the incredible football we played. Just the good times the boys seemed to be having together.

I struggle to keep dry eyes watching those last few minutes, seeing how much it meant to everyone involved with the Geelong footy club. Especially Billy and the boot-strapper. I often watch the game when I need a bit of a lift. Just this morning I thought I'd watch the last quarter while having breakfast.

If I were a player and needed a bit of a pump up this would be it! C-mon boys!

They just need to play 4 quarters of the footy we know they can play and they will smash anyone. That is what we need to see, i really hope they absolutely hammer Collingwood in week 1 of the finals.

Maybe they are all waiting for the finals for that spark, hope so.

 

[thufrinthukutash]

Maybe they are all waiting for the finals for that spark, hope so.

Maybe that is the problem?

Hanging back waiting for someone else to produce it. Very un-Cats like, but injuries, form and three seasons being up the top may have jaded a few during the season.

Think we will see some ruthlessness back this week. Then the "swagger" will begin to return just in time.

 

[catters05]

Maybe that is the problem?

Hanging back waiting for someone else to produce it. Very un-Cats like, but injuries, form and three seasons being up the top may have jaded a few during the season.

Think we will see some ruthlessness back this week. Then the "swagger" will begin to return just in time.

Just dont get aggressive as freo will get dirty, just smash them on the scoreboard.

 

[kellykellykelly]

Don't underestimate the effect that the return of a certain Bradley Ottens might have on the boys.

I can personally see the boys coming out of the rooms with their heads held just that little bit higher knowing that they have a player of such quality amongst them.

 

[catters05]

Don't underestimate the effect that the return of a certain Bradley Ottens might have on the boys.

I can personally see the boys coming out of the rooms with their heads held just that little bit higher knowing that they have a player of such quality amongst them.

Especially with Harley, Johnson, Chapman, Kelly etc with him as well.

 

[thufrinthukutash]

Just dont get aggressive as freo will get dirty, just smash them on the scoreboard.

Yep.

Fine line - but the guys know how to play it, just forgot where they put it for a while.

Don't underestimate the effect that the return of a certain Bradley Ottens might have on the boys.

I can personally see the boys coming out of the rooms with their heads held just that little bit higher knowing that they have a player of such quality amongst them.

I dont get that? There is enough talent on the park at any given time (apart from the Lions game). The rest is about the application, focus and team ethos that has made us so good over the last few years.

Sure the talent with those guys back increases dramatically, but without the rest of them applying themselves, then it is a moot point who we get back.

 

[rizzo]

Massive week this week. Need to get a bit of form and make sure everyone gets through injury free!!

 

[ant0s]

Yep.

Fine line - but the guys know how to play it, just forgot where they put it for a while.



I dont get that? There is enough talent on the park at any given time (apart from the Lions game). The rest is about the application, focus and team ethos that has made us so good over the last few years.

Sure the talent with those guys back increases dramatically, but without the rest of them applying themselves, then it is a moot point who we get back.

Absolutely spot on!

 

[Sargemo369]

There is no 'I' in team. We're a unit. That's what we were known for back in the day, and what we need to bring back. A solid TEAM contribution and effort. Every single person out on the park needs to do EVERYTHING to ensure victory and success - the 1%ers, forward line pressure, everything.. We're only as good as our weakest link.

Although I hope Ottens return will bring a bit of a 'spark', we can't rely on him to be our answer.

 

[re cat]

The word Bomber used was, ruthlessness.

 

[Reg Hickey]

The word Bomber used was, ruthlessness.

Good word that.

For me it finally returned (perhaps temporarily) during the third quarter on Friday night, when for a while there we seemed to be running and tackling hard again. First time I've seen it in WEEKS. I have this image etched into my brain of a Dogs player being gang-tackled by Scarlett and someone else early in the third quarter, and after the whistle had gone for a ball-up, Scarlo kept his forearm jammed down on the player's head for a few extra seconds and "whispered" a few choice words to him. Beautiful.

Thats the sort of attitude that produces results. The problem is we need it for four quarters, not just one.

 

[BigBadCam]

Rather than show them the 2007 grand final, I'd show them the 2008 grand final, or maybe just the second half. Afterwards, post a photo of Shane Crawford saying 'thats what I'm talking about' on the wall to the rooms.

What would also be a good idea IMO would be for the club to go round SS this weekend and take portrait photos of a dozen or so wrinkled, sad old coots. The kind of people who have been to every Geelong game for 50 years. They could take photos of a dozen or so young kids too (with permission of course) and line a hallway - old on one side and young on the other. The players should then do a walk of recognition or something before every game for the rest of the year. Make them realise that they're not just playing for themselves. Let them know who the heart and soul of the Geelong FC really are.

 

[thegerman]

Good idea BBC. Like it.