I was reading an interview in Alpha magazine with Stevie J from the Cats. He mentioned how he hates to lose. That the team hates to lose. They get almost embarassed when they do and look to the next week to make amends. He is a fierce competitor in all activities - hates to be beaten. He said that the Geelong team is filled with guys with this spirit (about a dozen). He named Scarlett, Ablett, Selwood, Chapman (and one other that I can't recall) as being truly competitve animals. When asked about what motivates the team he said they are driven by the will to win at all times.

I've seen the video on you-tube with Ablett and Stevie J and Stevie J mentions him and Byrnes constantly challenging each other with ping-pong.

My question is how many guys at Carlton have that kind of nature? How many are truly fiercely competitive animals who don't just like to win but need to win to make it all worthwhile?

I think you've touched on an issue that is crucial to us taking the next step.

At the moment it doesn't look as though we have too many at all that are dedicated week in week out to leaving nothing out on the ground after a match.

The fierce competitive desire to beat and be respected by every opponent you face, week in week out, is what's required.
Hopefully, with a bit more maturity and experience, the hunger and desperation will increase.

Whilst I have no doubt guys like Selwood, Scarlett and Ling have a fierce competitive spirit, Stevie J is kidding himself if he reckons puts himself in that category.

Admittedly he was not physically 100%, but the last two times we played Geelong he conceded to Russell by game end

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"You can't polish a James Hird"

He never said he was a hard footballer, just that he doesn't like to lose.

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Lawrence Lawrence, The man who knows all the rackets and all the racketeers!

I don't think anyone playing competitive sport anywhere likes to lose, let alone at the very highest point of their chosen sport.

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"In fairness it did seem in the early days of the draft teams would just pick a name totally at random out of a hat. I'm pretty sure we picked James Cook at #2 one year. The mediocre forward, not the explorer" - Me, 12/9/2011

Carlton 2012: Lets remind them why they once feared the Dark.

Bret Thornton hates to lose!!

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You want the flame? Give us the marbles!!

Judd, Waitey, Simmo, Robbo, Chief, Kreuze and as of late Grigga and little Davey Ellard

I reckon we have a few more but thats my list.

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When you're a Jet you're a Jet all the way!

I reckon Jeffy is headed onto that list! Setanta when he's playing.

I remember hearing that after the elimination final last year that Gibbs was so embarrassed with himself that he could barely talk to his team mates let alone look at them in the eye.