What's emotion worth in footy?

[MST]

With all the talk in the national competition about players 'lifting' when there is a change in coaching personnel, how much of a factor does this have on a team's performance?

With the 'Weed' not having his contract renewed, will West come out and take it right up to Sturt this Saturday? Will the Bloods players play with less pressure on themselves thus improving their performance?

Sturt has it's Co-Captains in Nelson & Sheedy playing their 150th games. Will the side have extra motivation for that?

Or is it all a load of rubbish? I have my own thoughts on the topic but I am interested in people's thoughts.

[smac]

I have always found it strange that elite sports people need motivation. My own competitive instinct had me giving my best every game I played.

But that didn't stop me playing 5hithouse from time to time.

We all have bad days, perhaps it is coincidence that teams have good days around events such as the ones you described?

[MST]

I have always found it strange that elite sports people need motivation. My own competitive instinct had me giving my best every game I played.

But that didn't stop me playing 5hithouse from time to time.

We all have bad days, perhaps it is coincidence that teams have good days around events such as the ones you described?

I tend to agree with you mate. Once an elite sportsperson crosses that white line (and I put SANFL players in that category), there should be no excuses and each individual should be mentally and physically prepared to perform at their peak.

Doesn't stop what I have suggested from happening more often than not however.

To put another spin on it, Sturt for example haven't fared that well when their own players are celebrating milestone game's.......

Who knows?

[Hondo]

It's a hard one - confidence is a wonderful thing and getting that winning feeling makes everyone lift a notch or 2

On the opposite - lose a string of games and suddenly everything seems too hard, players lose confidence, there's grumbles, players lose confidence in the coach (even if that is just covering over their own bad form), supporters start rumours - everything falls apart!

I remember one of my junior teams had 1 outstanding player - just 1 - but he was big, strong, skillful and when he played everyone else lifted in confidence and we could beat anyone. When he was missing we'd lost the game before we even started, most times. Why? Confidence, state of mind .... who knows?

I think players get motivated for 'special occasion' games but the 'high' only lasts 5 minutes and then it's just another game.

Some teams transform from one year to the next without much change in personnel

[Peterxtc]

Lots.

Not just Footy but all sports (well any that are on my radar anyway). Afterall players are human, humans react to and or with emotion. To asume that because a sportsperson is 'elete' this somehow removes this basic aspect of the human condition IMO can't be right.

OK I understand that profesionals should give their best every time but one of the major variables (contributing to a 'best' performance) is emotion. The emotional state of the individual, the team the support folks and even the crowd. Why do so few soccer teams win at Liverpool or Newcastle Utd? I'd say because the crowd transfers emotional energy to its team and drains the same from the oppersition.

[MST]

Lots.

Not just Footy but all sports (well any that are on my radar anyway). Afterall players are human, humans react to and or with emotion. To asume that because a sportsperson is 'elete' this somehow removes this basic aspect of the human condition IMO can't be right.

OK I understand that profesionals should give their best every time but one of the major variables (contributing to a 'best' performance) is emotion. The emotional state of the individual, the team the support folks and even the crowd. Why do so few soccer teams win at Liverpool or Newcastle Utd? I'd say because the crowd transfers emotional energy to its team and drains the same from the oppersition.

I take what you are saying on board Pete.

But mate, you are going to have to give a better example of a team being dominant at home than Newcastle United! They have had second division teams turning them over at home over the last couple of cup campaigns.

What's your feel on the Blues chances this week?

[JK]

But mate, you are going to have to give a better example of a team being dominant at home than Newcastle United! They have had second division teams turning them over at home over the last couple of cup campaigns.

LMAO .. Good boy MST ... It's getting close now!

[MST]

But mate, you are going to have to give a better example of a team being dominant at home than Newcastle United! They have had second division teams turning them over at home over the last couple of cup campaigns.

LMAO .. Good boy MST ... It's getting close now!

Cannot wait CP!

[Grahaml]

A minute or two at best. The difference is confidence. Teams win at home because of the confidence they get, and in elite sports especially, confidence is vital. When a coach leaves the players get a big dose of confidence because there is always hope with a big change like that.

[G]

MST, you dont think the main reason Sturt havent fared well in milestone games over the last few years is because the side has been ORDINARY at best.
I dont care what anyone says it still mainly comes down to the cattle available.

[Peterxtc]

Lots.

Not just Footy but all sports (well any that are on my radar anyway). Afterall players are human, humans react to and or with emotion. To asume that because a sportsperson is 'elete' this somehow removes this basic aspect of the human condition IMO can't be right.

OK I understand that profesionals should give their best every time but one of the major variables (contributing to a 'best' performance) is emotion. The emotional state of the individual, the team the support folks and even the crowd. Why do so few soccer teams win at Liverpool or Newcastle Utd? I'd say because the crowd transfers emotional energy to its team and drains the same from the oppersition.

I take what you are saying on board Pete.

But mate, you are going to have to give a better example of a team being dominant at home than Newcastle United! They have had second division teams turning them over at home over the last couple of cup campaigns.

What's your feel on the Blues chances this week?

True of course. but you get the point. I picked Newcastle cause I've had the pleasure of visiting approx 80% of the league grounds in England and I remember being intimidated/amazed/awe struck/fasinated etc when they gave a rousing rendition of The Blaydon Races. Must have been worth plenty (to the club/team) IMO.

As for the blues this week. I genuinly have no idea. As per Gelong I think the lid needs to be kept firmly on. We could roll um big time and then again ...........

It's a nice segway back to the topic actually. Depends on our teams 'state of mind' if we give Westies the respect they deserve and play near our best it will get ugly ie we should hammer um. If we do anything less we could get rolled.

[MST]

MST, you dont think the main reason Sturt havent fared well in milestone games over the last few years is because the side has been ORDINARY at best.
I dont care what anyone says it still mainly comes down to the cattle available.

I was hopeful this topic could remain void of narrow minded responses but I guess there is always one.

I notice your profile doesn't indicate where your allegiances lie, G?

Thanks to those thus far who have provided some genuinely interesting contributions.

Peter, I am with you on the whole 'if we turn up focussed' theory.

IF we do so we win comfortably. IF we don't, West still have enough talent to cause an upset. Let's hope the players keep this in mind because to be fair, if we win this week I would suggest the double chance is all but sewn up, particularly if the 'Legs can roll WWT.

[Wedgie]

It makes a huge difference IMHO, I remember in my first season of senior footy we had about 5 wins and 15 losses, were playing the top undefeated team in the last minor round and we were so worked up before the game we knew we were going to win. We won by 10 goals, ended up being the only game the top side lost all year and they won the GF by 10 goals.
Similarly happened in another game in the only win over MorphettVale I played in.
You can just tell when a team is going to win (and lose) sometimes all from the emotion they produce.

[Cambridge Clarrie]

Emotion is a big factor. It's why players like Hargraves kick 7 goals against his old team and teams like Melbourne and Freo get up a week after their coach departs. Correct, they should be playing at 100% intensity every time they step on the field but the fact is that's never going to be the case...

[MST]

Emotion is a big factor. It's why players like Hargraves kick 7 goals against his old team and teams like Melbourne and Freo get up a week after their coach departs. Correct, they should be playing at 100% intensity every time they step on the field but the fact is that's never going to be the case...

So with all that in mind Clarrie, we need to be prepared for a pumped up Bloods this week.

[G]

MST rather than automatically bag me for saying something negative about Sturts recent past, tell me what you disagree with. Prior to this season you could count on 1 hand how many times you've started favourites over the previous 2 years.
Therefore any milestone game was a big chance to go down the gurgler.

[Peterxtc]

MST, you dont think the main reason Sturt havent fared well in milestone games over the last few years is because the side has been ORDINARY at best.
I dont care what anyone says it still mainly comes down to the cattle available.

Bloke in the LAST FEW YEARS we have a flag and have played in Peliminary final. Only missed the finals once in the past five years. Is that ORDINARY? or do you expect better?

[MST]

MST rather than automatically bag me for saying something negative about Sturts recent past, tell me what you disagree with. Prior to this season you could count on 1 hand how many times you've started favourites over the previous 2 years.
Therefore any milestone game was a big chance to go down the gurgler.

In 2006 we were woeful so you are correct on that front.

In 2005 we were a Damian Squire (pulled out injured) and some very questionable umpiring away from knocking North off in the elimination final (lost by 9 points)

In 2004 we played some terrific footy all year, smashed North at FP in the second semi-final before bowing out to WWT in the preliminary final.

In 2003 we finished the minor round third on the ladder but were denied a double chance because the league reverted back to a 'Final 4'. We played the Eagles at FP in the wet and picked AFL blokes who weren't fit and paid the price. After what happened with Bali and retirements 2003 was a really credible year and averyone expected us to play off with Central again in the GF.

In 2002 we won the whole shebang. Enough said.

In 2001 we were ordinary.

In 2000 we had a great finals series, defeating Port and Norwood before falling short in the Prelim to WWT.

Shall I go on?

[Aerie]

Shall I go on?

Yes please. It's almost at the good bit.

[G]

Apologies if I upset the Sturt brigade. I was referring to 05 and 06 and thats what I thought a few years was, 2.
I was wrong with your 05 season although 5th in a 9 team comp is hardly anything to crow about.

The main thing I was trying to convey was that its a fair bet Centrals have a great record in milestone games over the last 8 years - oh I wonder why ?