How Long Should We Give Elliot?

[Schooner of Carlton]

the fact that he did not impress you, does not mean he was not busting his guts and trying his best every week, he always looked physically shattered to me everytime he left the field. I believe that all the guys went out and tried to win every game, Clinton often more so than some of the others.

 

[lainey]

I'm sure they all thought they went out there to win but they mostly played with no heart. Trust me, I'm not just picking on Clinton, he is my favourite player, the only one that went out every week and put in 100% was Priddo. I just hope Matt Elliott can change that. The truth hurts and I'm sure there will be some bruised egos in the team but hey, sh!t happens...

The thing I find amusing is that almost every week people would come on here and that other place and put the players down for not playing their best yet when the new coach asks a ligitimate question like he did with Joel, everyone is so quick to defend him and say that's no way to start up a good coach player relationship. I wouldn't mind betting my bottom dollar that Joel will respect Matt for that comment as the season goes on, it's something Joel will remember...

 

[The Teach]

I would too if I'd busted my guts...but lets face it, Clinton didn't exactly set the world on fire this year or last year. If they can't take the heat that Matt may give them, then get out of the kitchen...

Gees that must have hurt you 2 say lainz, as i know how much you love big Joely. But I wholeheartedly agree with Matty E. If he feels the players could have done better over the past 2-3 years, then he has every right to tell them that in any way that he feels they might respond positively. I hope he backs it up next year by dropping under-performing players, no matter who they are.

 

[Dave Q]

I share the schooner's view. If I may articulate my own version thereof though:

I myself would put Clinton in that class of players who did try hard this year, but like some of the other forwards, the hard labour of the season (and league hangover from seasons past) took more than its fair toll on them.

We all saw how they seemed to fizzle a bit in the latter matches. When the Souths 'premier league standard' forward pack are ripping through your international and rep players like they are crepe paper, somethings gone horribly wrong and for whatever reason, the players did not play as Lang would have instructed.

And it wasnt wrong at the start of the year, remember the Panthers sat comfortably in third in a round not too close to Round 1. They were very competitive when they butchered a valliant bunnies on Mothers day.

In my view, the change of fortune cannot be accounted by a change of heart alone but moreso, by the cumultaive forces of wanton destruction played out upon them both physically and pyschologically.

This is one tough game. You have to be very strong indeed to remain at the elite level. You have to have a very high pain threshold too. Most of us who took a solid first grade tackle would be unlikely to be able to move for several minutes. These boys just get up and keep playing. Our bodies are simply not designed to take such impacts and our minds, for the most part, are not made to withstand the terrible pressure of first grade and all of the responsibility and obligation that entails.

A players lot is not as easy as people may think.

Now I dont pretend to know how to fix this problem, except to say that coaches like Bennett do. We all saw how strong the Bronco's were playing late in the season. Bennett himself has quite a crew of coacing staff, all working in perfect syncronicity towards the ultimate prize. Amazing.

As I said earlier, theres a case to consult these experts (and I add before day one or close thereto) and utilize their fine and expert skills.

Anyway, thats my take on it.

Cheers everyone (especially Lainey).

 

[Dave Q]

I share the schooner's view. If I may articulate my own version thereof though:

I myself would put Clinton in that class of players who did try hard this year, but like some of the other forwards, the hard labour of the season (and league hangover from seasons past) took more than its fair toll on them.

We all saw how they seemed to fizzle a bit in the latter matches. When the Souths 'premier league standard' forward pack are ripping through your international and rep players like they are crepe paper, somethings gone horribly wrong and for whatever reason, the players did not play as Lang would have instructed.

And it wasnt wrong at the start of the year, remember the Panthers sat comfortably in third in a round not too close to Round 1. They were very competitive when they butchered a valliant bunnies on Mothers day.

In my view, the change of fortune cannot be accounted by a change of heart alone but moreso, by the cumultaive forces of wanton destruction played out upon them both physically and pyschologically.

This is one tough game. You have to be very strong indeed to remain at the elite level. You have to have a very high pain threshold too. Most of us who took a solid first grade tackle would be unlikely to be able to move for several minutes. These boys just get up and keep playing. Our bodies are simply not designed to take such impacts and our minds, for the most part, are not made to withstand the terrible pressure of first grade and all of the responsibility and obligation that entails.

A players lot is not as easy as people may think.

Now I dont pretend to know how to fix this problem, except to say that coaches like Bennett do. We all saw how strong the Bronco's were playing late in the season. Bennett himself has quite a crew of coacing staff, all working in perfect syncronicity towards the ultimate prize. Amazing.

News this week at Souths that the bunnies have set up their own "High Performance Unit" especially designed to condition players physically. Staff include those snitched from the Rugby Union (another gold star for league!). Theres several staff in this unit too.

Souths are first NRL club to appoint a full time IT officer and are setting up "SI"-yes, Souths Interactive.

As I said earlier, theres a compelling case to consult these experts (and I add before day one or close thereto) and utilize their fine and expert skills to bring about the right mind-set for sustained effort over the entire season.

The Panthers have gone through significant structural change but they must keep up with the pack on these modern methods and technologies.

So no more screaming at players, thats soo 20th Century!

Anyway, thats my take on it.

Cheers everyone

 

[murraymob]

Clinton may have tried hard but several areas of his game need fixing. His ball controll is poor. Elliott i feel is letting him know and others that just turning up is not good enough. Clinton on the back of this will bounce up and have his best ever season.

 

[lainey]

Gees that must have hurt you 2 say lainz, as i know how much you love big Joely.

It killed me but it had to be said...he needs a kick in the bum and not just him..I can always make it better if the kick is too hard..;-)

 

[Dave Q]

Clinton may have tried hard but several areas of his game need fixing. His ball controll is poor. Elliott i feel is letting him know and others that just turning up is not good enough. Clinton on the back of this will bounce up and have his best ever season.

Saying unkind things to him is hardly going to help his ball control mob!!

 

[Dave Q]

It killed me but it had to be said...he needs a kick in the bum and not just him..I can always make it better if the kick is too hard..;-)

lol

 

[TITAN1]

Thanks for the welcome messages guys,its good to talk with people who arent sheep!!
This might come as a big suprise but ALL the players are looking forward to the new coaching regime,seems training last year was a chore as there was no variety and the same things were done week in and week out...i guess that showed on the field,no unpredictability :sarcasm:

 

[lainey]

Saying unkind things to him is hardly going to help his ball control mob!!

I wouldn't call it unkind, more like a wake up call and you would be surprised how much it will help his game...

 

[murraymob]

Saying unkind things to him is hardly going to help his ball control mob!!

If it is said in a one on one talk yes . If in a group situation no . IF you keep telling someone it is all good it will not change . Over the last 2 weeks i have seen the value of a player getting a wake up call . Joel will improve the small areas of his game needed to take him to the next level that being rep footy

 

[TITAN1]

The thing is,we dont really know HOW it was said or what the situation was at the time...it was probably done so as to sit at the back of Joels mind every time he trains and steps out onto the field,lets face it he has played rep footy in the past and should be approaching a Shane Webke level of consistency and be the cornerstone of the Penrith pack ;-)

 

[Dave Q]

I wouldn't call it unkind, more like a wake up call and you would be surprised how much it will help his game...

The message wasnt neccessarily as positive as it may have been lainey.

I hope to be surprised.

We need some further sources, I'll make some enquiries.

 

[Dave Q]

..signature"

lol

 

[lainey]

The message wasnt neccessarily as positive as it may have been lainey.

And you know this how???

 

[Caged Panther]

You all seem to be looking at it from the obvious affect it could have, a negative one but really it could be quite motivational.

I certainly know in my own life I've had situations where I've been criticised in a similar manner and the only thing I wanted to do was go out and excel and whatever it was I was criticised for so I could shove it down the throat of the person who criticised me.

I also seem to recall a well documented incident involving brandy where Phil Gould absolutely gave it to him in front of the team during half time one match. Pretty sure Brandy considers that a major turning point in his career.

 

[Dave Q]

And you know this how???

Because I saw him live, on TV and heard of him putting in for the Panthers out on the paddock.

To suggest that he's been anywhere else other than where he has been implies he hasnt been doing what he has been.

Thats not a recognition of what he has been doing, and in this context, I consider that not neccessarily the most positive of appraisals one could transmit.

It appears you have another view, no less meritorious, better or worse than mine.

 

[lainey]

That's what I'm saying, it's not a bad thing to do, it might make him/them realise you have to turn up to play not just turn up, that's our job...

 

[lainey]

Because I saw him live, on TV and heard of him putting in for the Panthers out on the paddock.

To suggest that he's been anywhere else other than where he has been implies he hasnt been doing what he has been.

Thats not a recognition of what he has been doing, and in this context, I consider that not neccessarily the most positive of appraisals one could transmit.

It appears you have another view, no less meritorious, better or worse than mine.

And I'm not the only one. They are big boys and they don't need to wraped in cotton wool and have the noses and bums wiped for them. It WILL have a positive affect..