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"It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest. We address ourselves, not to their humanity but to their self-love, and never talk to them of our own necessities but of their advantages." - Adam Smith.
Both these two quotes present something that bugs me at the moment, so forgive my psuedo-intellectual ramblings for a bit...
One of the biggest criticisms of Brett Ratten's coaching at the moment is the heavy reliance on taggers and players being assigned with run with roles, perhaps well below what their credentials and talent would say is what they should be doing on the football field.
This is consistent with the philosophies of Adam Smith, someone whose writings I've used in forming my political opinions and philosophies toward work in the public sector. As the quote above implies, the individual working toward their own self interest, will bring about an outcome thats beneficial for society or the greater good.
If there was ever a coach that exemplified that logic - the infamous "I gave the players jobs, and they went out and did them" quote from Jezza probably best accomodates it.
Is this still relevant in today's game? Can a team still be successful with 22 blokes going out there and playing for themselves to the best of their ability have the best chance of winning?
All evidence from this season points toward no. The most consistent criticism from Ratten, Judd, Swann, Kernahan, McKay, et all, is that too many players played for themselves. Valid point. We don't block for Judd time and time again, lot of players only run one way, others leave their man at the wrong time.
On the other hand, you see players like Travis Cloke struggling for form this year, coinciding with talks over a new contract and huge offers from rival clubs. Inversely, you see players play out of their skin "for their career" as Shane Tuck and to a lesser extent, Brock McLean have in recent years.
Is Aaron Joseph best serving Carlton by keeping the opposition's best midfielder to 20 touches, or is he better off helping Juddy get 40?
I think Leigh Matthews once said that the team with the most players who won their individual position invariably wins the game. I tend to agree. I also think that it suits the playing list that we currently have, a combination of great individual players and role players, very few in between who fit the "great team man" category. In the race to catch up to floods, huddles, presses, clusters, quadrants, its probable that the simplest instructions are forgotten...
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BLUES 2010: PAV AND JUDD = FLAGS. DOING IT FOR THE LOVE OF DICK PRATT.
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