hard work and mental strength

[Black Forest Dragon]

Quote:
Originally Posted by TheRev
On the positive:
- I was laughed at last week for talking up Ah Mau, but he really is a handful when motivated (like he is atm)
- Creagh can do everything other props can do plus has more speed and handling and did great tonight


True.

Motivation has been a significant problem all year.

Only occasionaly have individual Players been really switched on during a game, like to his credit Ah Mau was (first time) today, and in parts, so was Ben Creagh. But except for Josh Dugan, no one has been switched on for an entire game, and never have they all been really motivated together as one - as a Team, or a group within our team e.g. our forwards have not dominated once this year.

Yet there have been enough occasions to rise and play for, e.g. when finals were on the line, when backing up after the embarassment of a heavy loss at home, local derbys, attempting to break hoodoos, player send Offs (denied to them), when there was a celebration of history and pride in the red V (such as today against Tigers), and now to avoid the wooden spoon.

These are all occassions that should be drawn upon for motivation. But there is no evidence of it. And somehow, playing for a 'brand' seems empty. But playing for a proud and mighty Club with a rich history like St.George Illawarra Dragons, now that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

A sportsman can get some motivation through enthusiasm alone, however, "confidence", "mental strength", "focus", "in the zone" ...call it what you like - I've played enough competitive sport in my life to know what it is, when you have it and how to get it. It is an attitude, that is only possible to acquire when after the hard work is done (e.g. fitness building and lots of practise) - and is the last key ingredient to success.

There's no indication that Steve Price really grasps this. He does not even come across as enthusiastic, or a motivator. He may work hard by his own standards, but is that enough?

There is certainly no evidence that he can mentally prepare a Team for a big game - indeed any game!

Actions speak louder than words. Despite what they say, I don't believe there is enough respect by the Players, not only for the Coach, but for themselves and for each other, probably because they were told too often that their effort was good, and that all they had to believe in was for something to click in order to taste success, or for luck to go their way.

And maybe some other people think this, (hopefully some board members do), and at the risk of being belted by fellow Dragons supporters on this Forum - I'm going to say it:-

...I don't think they have worked hard enough at all

They have not been told to.

 

[TheRev]

I think its very hard to be motivated (playing for a new contract aside) when you are in a side that continue to lose games, I think with every game under Price, the belief that the hard work will pay off, the belief that we can win football games diminishes, that negativity gains momentum & its hard to turn around.

Im really pleased with the effort for the most part, we generate good field position again and again, then fall down in the opposition 20 every time... tbh im amazed we are still trying the way we are, its why I want change asap, I feel like the lifeblood is being sucked out of our players by Price.

 

[FlameThrower]

BFD, I was there and I can tell u the vast majority of the players on field today, do not show anything as a unified and happy group. They are dumb players, with no urgency, no freakn idea of what the jersey means and sorry to say...the half hearted $2 shop mentality of countless fringe players as mercenaries has failed, the Board needs a rocket up it's backside. We are a joke and no team even a team 2nd last fears us, we have zero to offer as rugby league team. Continuously put ourselves under pressure , with more defense, more mistakes ...over it.

 

[FlameThrower]

I think its very hard to be motivated (playing for a new contract aside) when you are in a side that continue to lose games, I think with every game under Price, the belief that the hard work will pay off, the belief that we can win football games diminishes, that negativity gains momentum & its hard to turn around.

Im really pleased with the effort for the most part, we generate good field position again and again, then fall down in the opposition 20 every time... tbh im amazed we are still trying the way we are, its why I want change asap, I feel like the lifeblood is being sucked out of our players by Price.

Come'on Rev, our players our dumb, soft defense soft brains and no urgency..Price is half the problem but the rest is current players and stupid board decisions...

I countless times after Tigers tries our guys don't show any concern, no talk, no fired up talk from Creagh...no passion out there....u should ave heard the oldies around me going off....

 

[Black Forest Dragon]

BFD, I was there and I can tell u the vast majority of the players on field today, do not show anything as a unified and happy group. They are dumb players, with no urgency, no freakn idea of what the jersey means and sorry to say...the half hearted $2 shop mentality of countless fringe players as mercenaries has failed, the Board needs a rocket up it's backside. We are a joke and no team even a team 2nd last fears us, we have zero to offer as rugby league team. Continuously put ourselves under pressure , with more defense, more mistakes ...over it.

I feel your pain.

I'd like to add to my first post, apart from missing the signs and benefits of hard work - as you pointed out they are dumb.

Lack of strong leadership is a big factor in play here..

i don't know why this is not seemingly being addressed. Why are we so exempt from media scrutiny for example ?

While all this denial and BS positive spin over the 'brand' is going on, the Players are losing contact with pride in the red V, and it's like no-one is noticing it. It's insidious.

In hope, I am waiting for it all to come together ...for Steve Price to win 10 out of 12 next year ...to prove me entirely wrong. I'm ready to humble myself, apologise, eat my words and do the nudie run at Kogarah oval ...for him to prove me wrong.

It's quicker than getting a new Coach. But, i think it's hopeless.

The change that is necessary is so obvious - it is staring us all right in the face.

 

[vanilla gorilla]

Watching the second rate footy that was dished up today in the guise of first grade rugby league has broken me. Then to witness the press conference were we are informed that the team have been playing "reasonable football" is a joke. If we were playing "reasonable football" we would be little bit further up the ladder. The results we are seeing now are a culmination of poor decision making, on and off the field. I noted with interest we were also told there are not many young players left to try out for first grade. I beg to differ, the one most notable example is the position of half back. But hey what do we know we are just the idiots who go to the game to watch this rubbish week in week out

 

[FlameThrower]

Watching the second rate footy that was dished up today in the guise of first grade rugby league has broken me. Then to witness the press conference were we are informed that the team have been playing "reasonable football" is a joke. If we were playing "reasonable football" we would be little bit further up the ladder. The results we are seeing now are a culmination of poor decision making, on and off the field. I noted with interest we were also told there are not many young players left to try out for first grade. I beg to differ, the one most notable example is the position of half back. But hey what do we know we are just the idiots who go to the game to watch this rubbish week in week out

Everyone else on this forums can see this, we are the fans who take every loss like cut to the neck, we pay memberships, buy the merchandise, attend games...but apparently it's all fine, "our footy" is fine, just need to work on the basics... I predict a major slide in our membership here on end...if the club won't or can't listen perhaps membership numbers and crowd numbers may ...ie bottom line. Finally it's pretty apprent the board is detached from any sense of reality and is living in dream land and past glory......that's gone it's history ancient history. We need innovation, fresh blood and time for the old guard to move on....they are part of the problem now.

 

[Father Ted]

Finally it's pretty apprent the board is detached from any sense of reality and is living in dream land and past glory......that's gone it's history ancient history. We need innovation, fresh blood and time for the old guard to move on....they are part of the problem now.

People say Price leaving will fix it . I don't believe his going alone will . There's a lot more wheels falling off than one man

 

[Black Forest Dragon]

I think its very hard to be motivated (playing for a new contract aside) when you are in a side that continue to lose games, I think with every game under Price, the belief that the hard work will pay off, the belief that we can win football games diminishes, that negativity gains momentum & its hard to turn around.

Im really pleased with the effort for the most part, we generate good field position again and again, then fall down in the opposition 20 every time... tbh im amazed we are still trying the way we are, its why I want change asap, I feel like the lifeblood is being sucked out of our players by Price.

...you start by acknowleging a problem exists, giving it a label, owning it, and changing it.

That takes honesty, some inner strength, and leadership. These are three qualities that are lacking atm - especially the honesty part. The more we have to listen to the BS, the more deluded our leadership Team has become, the less respect we have for them, the lower the standards. It's contemptable.

For all the complexitiy and time it takes to change a roster, (and don't get me wrong, the recruitment is necessary) the single stand out decision that will have the most impact, the biggest bang for your bucks so as to speak, is to replace the Coach.

I understand the need to assemble a new team, however the 'organic growth' that Peter Doust has himself spruiked up on numerous occasions in the recent past, in practise is at best maligned, and at worst being mismanaged and marginalised.

And i challenge anyone on this forum to name the strengths that Steve Price has brought with him to the benefit of the Team, that demonstrates he is the best man for the Job as 1st grade Coach of this great football club ....and that he has earned it !

 

[Back O'Bourke Scorcher]

Prices reign is toxic to this club. The longer this rot is allowed to fester, the longer it will take to repair the damage. Please end it now. Give us two final games this year without Price at the helm. Maybe then I will feel the strength to tackle my ever growing reliance on alcohol to get through the weekend.

 

[Smurf]

How far have we fallen
I used to get depressed when we lost in the finals
Then I got depressed when we missed the 8
( only recently )
Now second last
Very sad smurf here tonight

 

[Bongdragon]

People say Price leaving will fix it . I don't believe his going alone will . There's a lot more wheels falling off than one man

+1 to this.

 

[hardbaby]

People say Price leaving will fix it . I don't believe his going alone will . There's a lot more wheels falling off than one man

The problem is Doust. Absolutely no doubt about it.

A new coach is necessary but it is the continued employment of "old boys" that is causing the difficulties in the club. Doust is surrounding himself with the people most able to support him. We need the people most able to do the job. And that will never happen with Doust at the helm.

He runs it like an RSL where people vote for you because you bought them a schooner. That's fine but I'd rather pay for my own drinks.

 

[FlameThrower]

The problem is Doust. Absolutely no doubt about it.

A new coach is necessary but it is the continued employment of "old boys" that is causing the difficulties in the club. Doust is surrounding himself with the people most able to support him. We need the people most able to do the job. And that will never happen with Doust at the helm.

He runs it like an RSL where people vote for you because you bought them a schooner. That's fine but I'd rather pay for my own drinks.

You are 100% correct, surrounding himself with yesmen who 'owe' him support for getting them jobs there...it's a power play nothing else.

There are too many family links there and the game has moved on from the old boys days. We don't 'owe' anyone a job at the Dragons they need to earn it and are the best for that role. You don't have to look at the First Grade side only...it's across all grades.

 

[possm]

I don't mind former players being given coaching jobs in the juniors to test their potential for a coaching career. Head coach of the Dragons is a different matter all together. Price got is chance after spending three years as assistant to Bennett. He has failed miserably and now should move on or be moved on.

 

[Father Ted]

But not moved to allow McGregor the job, it's just more of the same.

 

[Slippery Morris]

Doust is a very good CEO who keeps things close to his chest. I can't see Price staying but Doust won't do anything until the end of the season. It would be pointless to bring someone in now. He is very professional in what he does.

I would not be surprised if Sheens already has the job but nothing will be announced till his world cup commitments are over. I can't see Price staying as there is no way he has justified his spot for next season.

 

[Father Ted]

Doust is a very good CEO who keeps things close to his chest. I can't see Price staying but Doust won't do anything until the end of the season. It would be pointless to bring someone in now. He is very professional in what he does.

I would not be surprised if Sheens already has the job but nothing will be announced till his world cup commitments are over. I can't see Price staying as there is no way he has justified his spot for next season.

Doust signed Price then re signed him because he managed to win three games and them brought Paul McGregor into next years coaching brain trust . Doust agreed to give away the Kogarah homeground advantage against the Tigers . Doust have been the author of our current success in every grade . I can't be bothered, Yep Doust is a freakin genius.

 

[SAP58]

Doust signed Price then re signed him because he managed to win three games and them brought Paul McGregor into next years coaching brain trust . Doust agreed to give away the Kogarah homeground advantage against the Tigers . Doust have been the author of our current success in every grade . I can't be bothered, Yep Doust is a freakin genius.

Godbless Father !

 

[Black Forest Dragon]

The problem is Doust. Absolutely no doubt about it.

A new coach is necessary but it is the continued employment of "old boys" that is causing the difficulties in the club. Doust is surrounding himself with the people most able to support him. We need the people most able to do the job. And that will never happen with Doust at the helm.

He runs it like an RSL where people vote for you because you bought them a schooner. That's fine but I'd rather pay for my own drinks.

Steve Price for example, is a 'yes' man ?

Is it more important not to 'rock the boat' and to appease the Boss and those that support the Boss in the hope of keeping his Job, then it is to be a man of principles and believe in and employ his own ability as a professional first grade Coach (above all else) - in order to keep his job ?

Or does does just not have those abilities?

...Or has he still not had enough time to develop then?

Marriages don't always make people better individuals.

Peter Doust and Steve Price, may each be good men, but they may not be the best thing for each other - and in turn, for our great Club.