Is RFC mentally fragile?

[GoodOne]

I think we're just aiming for 9th, seems we have a distinct aversion to entering the 8

heers

 

[Bill James]

In the past mentally fragile. 2006 mentally immature, hopefully can grow out of it in the next 18 months.

 

[craig]

Players believeiong their own press i reckon, and i also think they just thought theyd have to turn up to win.

Also same ol suspects going missing when the side needed direction.

Same ol Story really nothing new nor nothing surprising about Sundays result.

 

[pahoffm]

Interesting responses thus far, and from what I can ascertain that the consensus is that we do drop these games.  The reasoning behind this still appears many and varied.  It would be an interesting study in form to see which style of player tends to "drop-off' during such occurrences.

The wording of your post indicates that you are not used to this Bairdy.
For most of us, last weekend was not unexpected.

Would it seem that you have not been long around the Tiges?

Thinking about this question a bit more over the last couple of days leads me to only one conclusion.

Yep, we're still soft and will be until we prove otherwise.

 

[LeeToRainesToRoach]

Don't think 'fragile' is the right word. We've beaten all the teams under us (except Hawthorn) and lost to all the teams above us (except Adelaide) - a true mid-table side. Sure, the way we lost to the Hawks was alarming, but we've bounced back from our previous bad losses each time in 2006. The players should be jumping out of their skin after the break and I for one am expecting to push Collingwood right to the wire.

The next game will say a lot about where we are: a win gets us back on track, but if we lose badly and the rot sets in then perhaps nothing has changed after all.

 

[AZZORP]

Inexperienced sides play inconsistent football but I wonder if this time we got ahead of ourselves.  I cringed when I heard Lids mention the Fab 5 on TV and cringed even more when I read an article on it in the papers  ... way too soon to be talking *smile* like that.

 

[Scoop]

Yes we are mentally fragile, it's much harder to win games you are supposed to. 

Maybe no one expected to be in that position at the start of the year and the boys got lost going in as favourites, would be the first time in a long time that some of those playing on Sunday expected to win. And this showed, we played like millionaires when we should be playing like paupers.

Part of the learning curve.

We are getting better but still have a mile to go. Exciting times ahead.

 

[Brettstigers]

It is an undeniable fact Bairdy, and has been for several years.

Apart from Nathan Brown, who is coming back bravely after severe injury, many of the other senior players are terrified of kicking a goal under pressure. Only Simmonds and Pettifer stood up for us on Saturday, and ironically both were severely under the pump until this season.

We need experienced successful big game players who are supremely confident in their own ability and are capable of inspiring their team mates on a regular basis. Nathan Brown is one and we desperately need him to fully recover. There are very few players in the AFL with this sort of ability who would be great at RFC. One is Byron Pickett, who is now doing the job for Melbourne. For years they have been a talented side but very soft under real pressure. He has given them a backbone as well as composure and leadership. Ask Neil Daniher how much he likes him. Good luck to the Demons who were in the right position to grab him......... wish it had of been us.

Another player is Jason Akermanis. Love him or hate him there is no denying his confidence and ability to deliver under pressure. In my opinion he has been the key to Brisbane's success, as he sparks them up early or lifts them when the crunch comes late in a game. It is no coincidence when Aker is out or unhappy that the Lions struggle. Reading between the lines(or Lions lines) it may be the end of a successful era in Brisbane as key players retire or leave and it seems inevitable that Aker will be traded at year end. RFC should do all it can to be in position to get Aker, if suitable terms and conditions can be negotiated.

Yes, RFC is mentally fragile and to ignore it is to remain in denial. After Saturday's capitulation to Hawthorn's reserve team Wallace and co. should be under no illusions. They must do whatever it takes to change this serious inherent defect in our team culture. The answer is not simply by culling players and drafting rookies, we also need to inject hybrid vigour and proven class performers.  

I agree with the post but the answer unfortunately isn't from without but from within. It is simply too expensive to buy a team of steel minded players. We have to develop them if we are ever going to win a premiership. At the moment Joel Bowden, Raines (amazingly) and Brown seem to be able to perform under extreme pressure with poise. I would love to add Pettifer to this list and will when he improves his goal kicking average. Simmonds might already need to be on it. And before anyone bags me re Joel Bowden remember the Adelaide game - he was and is our "General" in defence. If they had tagged Bowden and forced Kellaway for example to be the decision maker for ball distribution - we would have lost.

 

[Brettstigers]

Actually I like very much the look of Meyer. He is looking a lot like Brown - he really does know where the big sticks are. I actually liked his being smothered on the weekend - it told me that he knew where the middle of the goals were and how long it would take him to kick the ball in a way which would get a goal. He took the time he needed - he didn't rush and pull the shot. Would rather that and be smothered than someone who rushes his shot everytime he is under a little pressure which given our points vs goals statistics this year seems to comprise most of the team. He needs to be an automatic selection every week to learn how to get more of the ball and to harden him up. Best thing this year since Raines and catching up to Polo IMO - good sharp shooters are soooo important.

 

[Gazza68]

I dont think the whole team can be said to be mentally fragile, yet there are individuals within the team that you would have to say that are. It seems to happen year after year, if you look back over the past few years it seems to be the same individuals that go missing. This is where in the near future these players need to be weeded out if we are going to look to be a successful team in the future.

 

[geoffryprettyboy]

Are we mentally fragile? Well then here is a good comparison to determine if we are; from what I can remember, I'll throw up 1973, 1974, 1980, and I'll even throw in 1982.

Results: If we compare those years, then there is a massive gap, and yes, we are mentally fragile - shut the gate!

 

[gustiger12]

That fragility comes with a lot of the younger guys that we have on the list at the moment. It is a big ask for them to maintain the rage for a full season at this stage of their development. A lot of improvement has been shown in this area, but it will take a while before old habits are completely removed.

 

[Rayzorwire]

We've won close games all through the last two seasons and really held together well to win unlike many times in the past when we'd throw games away - I don't think we're necessarily mentally fragile as a unit these days...I do think we still have a somewhat fragile list. That (especially when combined with injuries) can expose us badly at times when key players are well and truly down.

On Sunday we had no midfielders worth mentioning as even 'good', and a forward line which couldn't finish off or hold the ball in attack after they didn't kick goals. Unless the defense is beyond the realm of downright superb, under those circumstances we'll still be beaten by all and sundry.

Imagine yesterday with a fuller list - a fit and seasoned Brown and Richo added to the forward line (plus Brown able to rotate through midfield), Thursfield back to be the only obvious defender to stand Franklin, Knobel in to dominate in advantageous hitouts where Simmonds couldn't on the day, Coughlan to win some hard ball in the centre, Johnson fitter...we just can't cover these holes with our list ATM and have done a good job to do so thus far this season (it's taken the entire squad to do it).

The holes will be filled over time, key players will need to be less relied upon...but they are heavily relied upon week in week out at this stage with so many 1st /2nd/3rd year players playing. We didn't play any worse Sunday than we did in our 100+ point thrashings...just faced a side with more deficiencies than Sydney and the Dogs.

 

[bairdy380]

The wording of your post indicates that you are not used to this Bairdy.
For most of us, last weekend was not unexpected.

Would it seem that you have not been long around the Tiges?

Thinking about this question a bit more over the last couple of days leads me to only one conclusion.

Yep, we're still soft and will be until we prove otherwise.

Yep, fair point....I am finding the correct wording for this thread somewhat challenging....same as supporting RFC for over 25 yrs I also discussed with the better half that I also believed prior that we would drop this game....although I didn't envisage the margin.
What I find so interesting is that most of us did expect this, and somehow true to form the current list did what was expected. They key query is how or why this expectation does eventuate.

 

[tigerdave]

Why didn't Sarge get a run?

 

[feisty tige]

One would almost think there might be a different vibe than usual before the game?

Maybe during the game when we kept missing our opportunities we lost it?

Or, I really hate this terminology, that they wanted it more?

who knows, but the coach that can turn this around and find a way to bottle it for future reference so it doesn't happen again, they will be a genius.

 

[AstroboyUK]

Any way you look at it, its "same old, same old" isnt it? I was surprised we beat North - that was the one 'expected to win' game I thought we'd drop.. and then I expected the wheels to fall off the season, just like they have every other year.

Well I was wrong about the North game.. and I thought to myself "mmm... maybe we arent so mentally fragile this year (?) maybe this year will be different (????) ".... so I tipped us to beat the Hawks, (because by definition, if youre going to be top 8 side more games than not should be be 'winnable').. bu t nup. Same old, same old. "expected to win, shocking loss"

Yeah, yeah, you can all go on about re-building, and age, and duds etc etc .....but thats just telling me what is the same, and not what has changed - no - The only possible difference between this year and every other year is whether the wheels fall off in the second half of the year.