From the outside the Geelong group look a serious, intense bunch. Not many pests and larrikins in there.
I remember this was mentioned in the media when Dalhaus was dispatched down there as a much needed injection of extroverted fizz.
You can also see this in body language on the field. When Danger kicks a goal, celebrations are muted. His team mates respect him, but don’t seem to love him.
Danger, no humour chip. Selwood, good leader, no humour chip. Ablett, great player, no humour chip. Menengola, Duncan, Blicavs, Stewart.
None of these blokes are knockabout guys.
The Cats’ dress up Mad Monday is an obvious, somewhat stiff way of compensating, but even they kinda just stand around smiling at how witty they all are.
Look at C Scott - possibly the most self-serious coach in the AFL. This filters down to everyone beneath him. Has to.
Compare to Hardwick, a man who has learned the art of humility through failure. He has his faults, not least of which was his startling attitude to COVID earlier this year, but he owns his mistakes every time. Makes good on them.
Compare to Jack, McIntosh, Smiley Edwards, Broad, Bakes, Jayden the Pest, Dusty. The team oozes personality.
You can’t Raise The Fight without passion. True camaraderie. That’s why we kick back from 22 points down in the second. Not many teams have what we have.