At the end of the day...

[Carter]

we ran out of fuel.

It was something Dimma mentioned. Go deep enough in September for long enough and it's like you've played an extra season compared to other teams.

Considering how players are micro-managed throughout their summer preparations and every week makes a difference, this is huge. And its only huge at the elite level - at VFL and amateur levels the summer is usually long enough to pull things together no matter where / when you finish up.

So much written on the reasons for our fall to 12th position on the ladder. Rules, tactics, injuries, desire, no crowds, COVID disruption.

All those things have impacted us (some of them will continue to impact us) but it is Dimma's simple observation that has me feeling zen about things.

After a full summer of recovery, we'll be back.

 

[Aegean Tiger]

Agreed. Industry narrative is that the dynasty is over. Done and dusted. Cooked. I'm not buying into this, Extra season of finals combined with the short off season due to COVID made it very difficult to back up. Under prepared players were always going to be prone to injury. With 7 months off, we will storm back as contenders once more. The list has 1 more flag in them I reckon...!

 

[year of the tiger]

yes and not sure.

Yes we are mentally and physically burnt out, yes we could bounce back but I am not sure we can do it with the same squad - we need to hit those draft pics and perhaps bring in a decent player if possible.

To get all our ageing stars to all return to near best form and for our young players to all lift their output is a big big ask.

Hope I am wrong.

 

[UKTiger]

we ran out of fuel.

It was something Dimma mentioned. Go deep enough in September for long enough and it's like you've played an extra season compared to other teams.

Considering how players are micro-managed throughout their summer preparations and every week makes a difference, this is huge. And its only huge at the elite level - at VFL and amateur levels the summer is usually long enough to pull things together no matter where / when you finish up.

So much written on the reasons for our fall to 12th position on the ladder. Rules, tactics, injuries, desire, no crowds, COVID disruption.

All those things have impacted us (some of them will continue to impact us) but it is Dimma's simple observation that has me feeling zen about things.

After a full summer of recovery, we'll be back.

You are right Carts. If we don't think positive about our future then why bother supporting the club. We should have a fitter, more relaxed team come 2022

 

[year of the tiger]

You are right Carts. If we don't think positive about our future then why bother supporting the club. We should have a fitter, more relaxed team come 2022

I know UK that your comment is not directed at me, but I am normally a glass three quarters full type of bloke and very optimistic about life - and I do truely support the team - but they have given us 3 glorious flags and there ain’t many 3 x premiership players out there, I want more but not sure they can bounce back and deliver again.

4 years ago I would have given anything, anything for just 1 flag or even just making the grannie, but 3 flags.

 

[UKTiger]

I know UK that your comment is not directed at me, but I am normally a glass three quarters full type of bloke and very optimistic about life - and I do truely support the team - but they have given us 3 glorious flags and there ain’t many 3 x premiership players out there, I want more but not sure they can bounce back and deliver again.

4 years ago I would have given anything, anything for just 1 flag or even just making the grannie, but 3 flags.

Spot on YOTT. We have had a great ride but need to refresh and move forward. I see some promise in our new crop as many of my posts have shown and expect them to start replacing the established stars some time next season. Come 2022 I will be there with my laptop linked to the TV next season roaring us on like all of us dyed in the wool Tiger supporters

 

[Al Bundy]

I honestly believe, yeah maybe burnt out but the rule changes threw out our game plan out a bit. But the injuries had the biggest impact to our structures. ( my take)

Also Geelong have been able to back up again another yr again into the finals when we didnt this yr.

One positive is we got more games into developing players and saw some adjustment to player positions in the last 6 wks that'll be in place for next yr

Saying all that, i do believe RFC will be back into the mix to play in finals again next yr

 

[theglove3]

...it gets really dark!
(Sorry, couldn't help myself!)

 

[Tony Braxton-Hicks]

Cats have gone deep for a decade and had the same off-season as us with the oldest best-22 in the history of the game.

We may be burnt out but that's not enough of an excuse for how far we fell.

 

[TheCan]

Cats have gone deep for a decade and had the same off-season as us with the oldest best-22 in the history of the game.

We may be burnt out but that's not enough of an excuse for how far we fell.

100% agree

 

[Carter]

Cats have gone deep for a decade and had the same off-season as us with the oldest best-22 in the history of the game.

We may be burnt out but that's not enough of an excuse for how far we fell.

this is a valid point, but Geelong had a couple less in 2017, two less in 2018, one less in 2019, and went down to us in 2020. five in total, but big, emotionally draining games.

plus, as champions we have been hunted, bashed, assaulted every week. everyone wants to take the big guy down. geelong have largely been able to methodically grind away home and away wins at their home ground.

 

[Tony Braxton-Hicks]

It sounds like we need to get some bigger bodies into the squad then.

 

[The_General]

Cats haven't played 3 of the past 4 GFs. They had a pretty decent top up of senior age free agents. We were losing them.
We're not talking apples and apples here.

 

[TT33]

Cats have gone deep for a decade and had the same off-season as us with the oldest best-22 in the history of the game.

We may be burnt out but that's not enough of an excuse for how far we fell.

That cats didn't lose almost their entire mid field & most of their back 6 due to injury for a large part of the season. That made a massive difference to us. At one stage we had 10 of our starting 18 out, tell me which club if any would be able to play finals with that sort of handicap.
You only need to look at how many guys are going in for surgery to get an idea of the toll the last season has taken.

 

[Born_a_Tiger78]

Cats haven't played 3 of the past 4 GFs. They had a pretty decent top up of senior age free agents. We were losing them.
We're not talking apples and apples here.

And some advantageous rule changes.

 

[23.21.159]

this is a valid point, but Geelong had a couple less in 2017, two less in 2018, one less in 2019, and went down to us in 2020. five in total, but big, emotionally draining games.

plus, as champions we have been hunted, bashed, assaulted every week. everyone wants to take the big guy down. geelong have largely been able to methodically grind away home and away wins at their home ground.

Actually, in both 2017 and 2019, both Richmond and Geelong played three finals, but we went one week further because they lost their qualifying final and had to play in the second week - we didn't.
In 2018, we played two and they played one, but we went two weeks longer because we won our Qualifying Final and had the second week off.
In 2020, both clubs played all four weeks.

So in terms of matches played, we are +1. In terms of "weeks into the finals", we are +4.

 

[Carter]

Actually, in both 2017 and 2019, both Richmond and Geelong played three finals, but we went one week further because they lost their qualifying final and had to play in the second week - we didn't.
In 2018, we played two and they played one, but we went two weeks longer because we won our Qualifying Final and had the second week off.
In 2020, both clubs played all four weeks.

So in terms of matches played, we are +1. In terms of "weeks into the finals", we are +4.

Yeah I forgot about double chances, etc.

Geelong have been admirable but have still escaped the attrition of being champions.

 

[zippadeee]

Im happy
3 fken flags in 4 years.
The club has a 5 year amnesty.
They can take it easy and regroup and go again.
6 picks under 50.
Great kids in Graham Stack Bolton Dow, Ralphsmith, Mansell.
*The only negative we shouldve given Collingwood our first pick from last year because we would have Darcy or Callaghan in yellow and black next year.
Im happy, the guys need a good break and it will do them good.
Fresh for a full pre season
With a refreshed Nakas and Soldo
Can't wait.

 

[DavidSSS]

I reckon we can bounce back. Lots of banged up players this year and a hell of a lot of injuries.

What I really want to see is our players return to training early in 2022 with smiles on their faces and enjoying the game. One of the signs of the mental fatigue for me was not seeing our players smile and enjoy playing sport. It was one of the great things coming out of 2017, that attitude of enjoying playing the game, savouring the fact that they were living their dream of playing footy at the highest level.

If we can get the players rested, over their injuries, get some development in the younger players, I reckon we can be competitive next year.

DS

 

[leon]

Cats have gone deep for a decade and had the same off-season as us with the oldest best-22 in the history of the game.

We may be burnt out but that's not enough of an excuse for how far we fell.

Exactly what I've been wondering too. We may love to hate them and for due reasons. But, all the posters including me saying they'll fall off the cliff, too old, or injuries will catch up with them, have been wrong.

So they are doing some things very, very well. Their recruitment? Bigger, stronger players more durable? Strength and conditioning staff? All that sea air, relaxed beach lifestyle? Pure luck?

Wish I knew. But I'm sick of waiting for them to hit that cliff. Whatever they're doing, maybe we need to get some intel? Get Grigga back!!