17th Premiership wrote:
It's not only Geelong we should look at.
I seriously hope our players, coaches, senior administrators & Board were watching the GF and last week's prelim b/w StK & the Bulldogs.
I was watching these matches trying to picture how we would go, in terms of demeanour & approach?
I am wondering how much work we need to still do on our commitment, drive, humility, team orientation and overall steel (blue steel?)
Looking at the top 3 teams from this year, they all seem so much more mature than we do - physically and mentally.
Why is this important? Because, whilst I have no doubt we are building towards a Premiership, this will determine whether it is one Premiership or 3; whether we will be a great team or do what we need to feel good for a moment in time.
Every Geelong person who spoke yesterday, showed great respect for the StKilda football club. I may be oversimplifying it but I get the feeling most (not all, but most) of our guys, in the same position, would not be thinking about their opposition. I think this perspective comes a bit with age & maturity and, probably a bit of bitter experience but it just struck me & I wondered if we need to have these traits to become a great team or perhaps we can do it differently, a bit more 'youthfully'; perhaps more along the lines of how Hawthorn did it? (Then again, it will be interesting to see whether the Hawks are back up there next year or whether they need some more 'bitter' experience to revisit the heights of 2008).
ANYWAY... interested in others thoughts on whether we have, or need (Blue) Steel - and is this related to the leadership traits discussed on this thread?
Two points here 17th (bolded relevant points in your post)...
1. This inability to be focused on those outside of yourself (IF it was to be like that) is a sign of ego-centricity (a trait Fevola has very stongly). It is focusing on oneself, without regard to those around you. It is a key part of what is known as emotional intelligence. If a person, or people, are emotionally 'unintelligent', it means their focus is only on themselves, without regard to how their behaviour affects others. When you see Geelong respect St Kilda the way they do, how much respect do they gain for themselves? How much better will a club be if its people respect each other, work for each other, behave in a way in which taking into account how your actions will affect your teammates and your clubmates is paramount to the decisions one makes? It becomes symptomatic of a group of people who will sacrifice their own personal agendas for the agenda of the Club as a whole.
2. Blue Steel - I think it is 100% related to leadership issues. Of course, it is also related to courage on the field, hardened bodies and (like Riewoldt) minds that control your body, block out pain etc. But there is no doubt in my mind that strong leadership creates a strong culture, and a strong culture develops players like Riewoldt and Rooke who will bleed and hurt and sacrifice for the team.
We are a young team, with young players. It has taken Geelong and St Kilda and the Dogs 6-8 years to build their teams, get their leadership and culture right. It doesn't happen overnight. We have an opportunity now to take a strong, positive step in building that leadership and culture. I am not advocting what must be done, simply that SOMETHING must be done, something strong which delivers an unequivocal message. I hope the Club is strong enough to do what must be done.
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