The quiet revolution at Tigerland

[TOT70]

If I had to point to one thing that stood out for me during the 2005 season it was the intensity that Brett Deledio and Shane Tuck showed.  For the first time in years, I saw two footballers wearing yellow and black who ran around the field at their top pace, whether they were steaming into an open goal or chasing an opponent who was miles in the clear.  The state of the game or the season didn't matter, these two guys stood out because they took pride in everything they did.

Late in the season, Nathan Foley impressed me in exactly the same way.  In short stints in the centre, he was either first man in to grab the ball, or he laid a tackle on whoever was.  Again, played with intensity.

These three still play the same way and have been joined by Andrew Raines, who now plays like a man possessed.  That's four!

For the first time last night I saw Tambling ran at top pace and demonstrate the same quality (albeit, only briefly but at least, he showed that he shares the same intensity).

The penny has dropped for Pettifer, too and even Richo shows unexpected desperation, new-found after years of flying for spectacular marks and doing nothing once the ball hit the ground.

Is this the quiet revolution at Tigerland?  Will it only get better?  Can we find a few others who will play the same way? 

 

[WesternTiger]

From all reports will see another do the same when he debuts next week TOT70

His name is Dean Polo :clap

 

[BalmyArmy]

Only if he backs up last weeks good effort with another good effort today.

I'm hoping Polo for Rodan. Gotta start feeding the kids through albeit in dribs and drabs. They have to get rewarded for good games at Coburg to actually get a taste of the big stage, even if it is just wet their appetite.

I agree TOT70. Add Hyde to that and Cogs of course. he never takes a backward step either.

 

[Knighter]

Royal was telling us before the game that Polo tore 'Buddy' Franklin a new a one in the seconds last week. Looking forward to seeing him run out as well.

 

[tigersnake]

I'm a natural optomist, but also a realist. There's been a lot of focus on 'disgraceful' skills and all that, victory against bumbling side etc. but what I found encouraging was the way we were attampting to play. In spite of executing the run and carry possession game fairly poorly at times, we stuck at it and didn't go into our shells. Also to me the young blokes really seem to be showing a bit of the 'band of brothers' mentality that you've got to have to succeed. Raines, Hartigan, Foley, Tambling, Thursfield before he went down, and also Hyde are backing each other. They remind me of Footscray 2 or 3 seasons ago.

I really have to say also that people who just criticise X player on a thread dedicated to that player, highlighting faults, one the one hand its fair enough. On the other hand you have to look at it in context. Not every player is Deledio. Its a reality of the current system that 3 or 4 bona fide stars is thereabouts. The rest of the side have to be decent footballers who play to their strengths and play for the team.

I know we beat a crap side and that we aren't much better at the moment, I know we made a heap of skill errors. But I was still encouraged by the way we went about it. We all know that with most players, the difference between missing a lot of targets and missing very few targets is a bit of confidence.

 

[geoffryprettyboy]

We are surely moving into a new revolution/era/culture, down at the club, and it seems quiet at the moment due to a massive learning curve onfield by the players, which has been orchestrated by a professional coaching unit. Off course we will get better, but we'll still cop those frustrating loses that will seem we are going backwards, but as long as the mistakes are rectified, and an education process is in place to rectify mistakes, we will get better. Without a doubt our off-field education for players is playing some role in the process, but the professional environment these days at the club helps players mentally also.

I can see promising signs in the horizon and there will be some exciting times ahead. The mental attitude has been off course the turnaround of the players you have described. They are showing a 'never say die attitude', although the skill level is still below par, so therefore just this mental mentality has produced two great wins over the last couple of weeks. Instilling more polished skills, I will expect some champagne football from the team some time during this year, when they should click as a unit and really excite the fans, just like our winning run last year.

On top of the players you have mentioned that are without doubt the 'new culture', we have up and coming promising players that are either sidelined with injury (and I don't want to remind everyone who) or are in a development phase at Coburg. I can see the 'never say die attitude' from young Polo & White, but also having seen JON & Casserly it gets me more excited and waiting in anticipation for these boys to get a crack at AFL level.

The word 'pride' you described is another key factor that has a major impact on the players. We have seen this quality from Raines, Hartigan, Foley, Tambling, and Thursfield, and this pride I can see is playing for the jumper.

 

[Anduril]

Top post TOT70 :clap

But I take issue with your comments on Richo , I think he's been showing that desperation and intensity for a long time now.

 

[mexican_radio]

Nicely put Tigersnake. I would much rather see our side working hard to develop a positive, forward motion game plan than wasting time perfecting the appaling "kick backwards" crapfest that some teams play.

I was still encouraged by the way we went about it.

I witnessed a team destroy themselves (yesterday) trying to protect a 1 goal lead with 20 minutes remaining in the final quarter. I would rather see our team stick to the plan and keep pushing forward than ever retreat into super defensive mode like that. I believe that would be highly damaging to the players mental approach.

Keep the positive game plan Tigers! Let's go forward together. 30,000 members and finals yeah !!! ;D ;D ;D

 

[Djevv]

Some excellent posts here. Having watched a replay on the net of the first half, the skills were surprisingly good (from the Tigers at any rate). The skill deteriorated in the second half due to IMO tiredness. I was really encouraged because we got a heap of the ball out of the centre and generally used it well. I counted 5 gimme goals (directly in front and around 30m out or less) that were missed. This at least shows an ability to deliver it with precision into the 50m arc.

Of the players mentioned above the standouts were Raines, Harto and Foley. All of these guys were cool headed in traffic, broke tackles and disposed of it well by foot. Well done guys!! :clap :clap :clap :clap

 

[AngryAnt]

Top post TOT70 :clap

But I take issue with your comments on Richo , I think he's been showing that desperation and intensity for a long time now.

Of course he has. It's an absolute myth that Richo only started second efforts recently. Richo has always kicked goals after a spilled mark or spoil where he has had the recover to beat the defender to the ball on the ground and kick the goal.

Unfortunately because he has occasionally spat the dummy after a shocking pass he has a reputation on this board that he doesn't make second efforts. Absolute rubbish.

 

[tigersnake]

Agree antfarm and Andy. I've said it like a stuck record on Richo threads. People just seem to wait for Richo to stuff up so they can go 'nah nah nah'. He does 20 top second efforts then cracks the *smile* once, people forget the positives.

Couldn't beleive last week in the Brisbane game when he ran down Voss the commentator was all amazed and saying he'd never seen Richo do anything like it, I reckon he does something similar every game he plays, at least every second game.

 

[clown]

Late in the season, Nathan Foley impressed me in exactly the same way.  In short stints in the centre, he was either first man in to grab the ball, or he laid a tackle on whoever was.  Again, played with intensity.

 

yeah i like the look of foley too he might not be the biggest or most athletic out there but he seems to be a natural footballer with a good footy brain which is what the team could do with.some of my friends don't agree but they said hyde was no good when i said the opposite and he is proving them wrong.

 

[TOT70]

Not bagging Richo, just making an observation on the leadership he is displaying which was not necessarily always evident.

Case in point on Friday night, Tambling jogged behind a Carlton opponent and watched him run the ball out of the backline. Richo surged past him to pressure the ball over the boundary. Two years ago, he would probably have watched as well and then given Tambling a mouthful.

It is much better for kids to learn from example!

 

[Ian4]

good thread this one. i think a couple of pieces of the jigsaw are piecing together and the puzzle is starting to take a little bit of shape.

 

[tha8ball]

I would think come round 1 next year - If we had a full squad - all these players would be in our 22 if not 18:

Hartigan  Thurstfield  Newman
                 Schulz       Raines
Deledio    Coughlan   Tambling
Hyde                          Pettifer
Jackson      Hughes 

Others to have played a match  - Foley, Pattison, Meyer, White, Polo ;D, JON  ;D, Casserly ;D

The pieces have definently been laid!!! The future looks great!


Also i cant help myself but in 4-6years we could potentially have a side (if our kids make it) and with the players i believe will continue to be in our 22... a side like:

B:   Hartigan  Thurstfield   Newman
HB: JON           ******      Casserly
C:   Tambling  Coughlan    Raines
HF: Pettifer     Hughes       Meyer
F:   Jackson     Schulz        Brown

R: Pattison, Deledio, Polo

I. Bowden, Tuck,Hyde, FOley, White, Roach, Limback, McGuane ... plus draft picks


*** = 2006 first round draft pick!! 

I serioulsy believe Nathan Brown is one of the few senior guys who will be still around in 4years. I would think Richo would be finished - Joel Bowden will probably be there but im not sure who else....Tucky? Hydey?

 

[Lidsand]

hopefully pattison can hold down chf coz that is a real concern for me atm