What is Neil Balme thinking?

[Tigerdangerous]

Well said. Those calling for wholesale changes don't seem to read how the MC operates.

PS 'great diversity'??

If I was asked to sum up a lot of what has been said on this post, and ignoring the snide remarks, I would look at somebody like a Laird Hamilton who once wrote, “Make sure your worst enemy doesn’t live between your own two ears.”

It’s what’s behind Hardwick’s ears, in this time of the side underperforming that concerns me and needs to be addressed and which I hope Balme is privy to.

I would also like to think Hardwick is not really going with the idea of getting the side “up” later in the year, as a better timed joust towards finals time, as some have suggested here. It’s about now and Saturday against Port Adelaide that will tell us more about what is going on between the ears of our players and coach.

 

[easy_tiger]

PS 'great diversity'??

Jason Akkermanis coined this variant of 'in the face of great adversity'

 

[RoarEmotion]

While the injuries are concerning, what is also worrying are the disposal errors, decision making and lack of pressure. This was happening pre season as well, before we copped injuries and suspensions.

This is a big issue and Hardwick covered it in his presser. Castagna is a reverse alchemist turning gold into lead and Graham had the worst double grabbing fumbling game I scan remember that cost us big time rewarding GWS for not running with us when we made basic turnovers. Add Martins gift with the elbow and there was a three to five goal swing here that can be fixed with current team pretty easily. (Drop castagna, graham returns to normal, don’t give away dumb behind the play frees). Collingwood never really felt like we were in it and in preseason we played two halves in two games and looked damn impressive in those halves. I guess you are never as bad as it appears or good as it appear.

I don’t agree how hard TD went but some of the sticking fat with underperformers does ring true as it seemed injury in 2017 was mainly what forced the changes and not selection and From the outside seems some favoured guys get more chances than the new guys - Balta / Ellis as case in point.

 

[Tigerdangerous]

This is a big issue and Hardwick covered it in his presser. Castagna is a reverse alchemist turning gold into lead and Graham had the worst double grabbing fumbling game I scan remember that cost us big time rewarding GWS for not running with us when we made basic turnovers. Add Martins gift with the elbow and there was a three to five goal swing here that can be fixed with current team pretty easily. (Drop castagna, graham returns to normal, don’t give away dumb behind the play frees). Collingwood never really felt like we were in it and in preseason we played two halves in two games and looked damn impressive in those halves. I guess you are never as bad as it appears or good as it appear.

I don’t agree how hard TD went but some of the sticking fat with underperformers does ring true as it seemed injury in 2017 was mainly what forced the changes and not selection and From the outside seems some favoured guys get more chances than the new guys - Balta / Ellis as case in point.

Hard? I didn’t realise there were so many shrinking violets on this site. I’ve asked questions about our underperforming side which includes the coach(es) from as far back as the PL in 2018.

I’ve said that Hardwick does not like change, is a lousy game day coach and has a very limited bag of tricks. His approach has been to create a “happy” environment to encourage contented footballers.

I’ve discussed how other clubs have obviously studied the Tigers intensely and feel, because of the recent performances, we have been less thorough in our homework.

And the title of this post is one I deliberately chose because Balme has a responsibility here. And if our season continues to slide down the toilet come the end of the year he will have a huge agenda to attend to.

The Port Adelaide game will be a test of how well the “team” and the coaches are performing and learning.

 

[MD Jazz]

I’ve said that Hardwick does not like change, is a lousy game day coach and has a very limited bag of tricks. His approach has been to create a “happy” environment to encourage contented footballers.

Lousy & limited other than the 2017 finals series when we won every game by over 5 goals and the 2018 season when we were the best overall side. Record winning streak at the G etc etc. Imagine if he could coach??

You choose Rd 3 2019 to have a crack, when the reasons for reduced performance are clear. Odd.

 

[Smoking Aces]

Lousy & limited other than the 2017 finals series when we won every game by over 5 goals and the 2018 season when we were the best overall side. Record winning streak at the G etc etc. Imagine if he could coach??

You choose Rd 3 2019 to have a crack, when the reasons for reduced performance are clear. Odd.

Game. Set. Match.

 

[kiwitiger]

I personally think it’s too early to be writing off the coach ,

Judge him at the end of the season, lots of twists and turns to go yet .

One thing that hardwick has been capable of despite his so called faults , is getting the team on a roll of momentum , with the benefit of hindsight it was too early last year, remains to be seen whether it happens this year at all , but I wouldn’t be going too early with doom and gloom

 

[Ian4]

Lousy & limited other than the 2017 finals series when we won every game by over 5 goals and the 2018 season when we were the best overall side. Record winning streak at the G etc etc. Imagine if he could coach??

Leppacella

 

[MD Jazz]

Leppacella

Its definitely a team effort but do spout crap about Hardwick being a limited coach is just that.

 

[French Tiger]

I personally think it’s too early to be writing off the coach ,

Judge him at the end of the season, lots of twists and turns to go yet .

One thing that hardwick has been capable of despite his so called faults , is getting the team on a roll of momentum , with the benefit of hindsight it was too early last year, remains to be seen whether it happens this year at all , but I wouldn’t be going too early with doom and gloom

Agreed. Christ he coached us to a flag (never thought i'd see one in my lifetime) & we are missing some champions of the game at the moment. Very harsh & way to early for that

 

[Tigertough1974]

I personally think it’s too early to be writing off the coach ,

Judge him at the end of the season, lots of twists and turns to go yet .

One thing that hardwick has been capable of despite his so called faults , is getting the team on a roll of momentum , with the benefit of hindsight it was too early last year, remains to be seen whether it happens this year at all , but I wouldn’t be going too early with doom and gloom

Absolutely, don't get sucked in by the doom and gloomers... Given our injuries and suspensions its an opportunity to blood some players. Weve played some pretty good opposition as well..

Either Way irrespective of 2019 Hardwick has credit from 2017/18, the calls at this stage in 2019 only reflect on those making them.

 

[Tigerdangerous]

Absolutely, don't get sucked in by the doom and gloomers... Given our injuries and suspensions its an opportunity to blood some players. Weve played some pretty good opposition as well..

Either Way irrespective of 2019 Hardwick has credit from 2017/18, the calls at this stage in 2019 only reflect on those making them.

Reflecting what?

No player or coach has "credits" in the cut and thrust of AFL footy. Tigers should be coached to treat every game as a final; to hold nothing back and to give 110%. Even ordinary sides can win games with that mindset.

Bring on Port and lets see what the coaches and players have learnt over the last few months. And for the record, every side playing AFL football is "pretty good opposition" I would have thought!

 

[TigerMasochist]

to hold nothing back and to give 110%. Even ordinary sides can win games with that mindset.

So now you're asking for the physical and mental impossible then blaming the coach for the failure of the players to achieve 110% of themselves? Derrr.

 

[LeeToRainesToRoach]

No player or coach has "credits" in the cut and thrust of AFL footy.

We've suddenly been cast backwards seven years in development and you want to judge the coach on his ability to pull a rabbit out of a hat? The team could perform optimally today and still not win unless a lot goes our way.

Building a team from scratch to win a flag isn't easy. Clarkson's done it, and Worsfold at West Coast. Bulldogs after a change of coach. GWS and Gold Coast, with all the resources in the world, haven't been able to do it. Hardwick undeniably stands among the better current coaches.

 

[tigerman]

We won, i wonder what Balmey said : : : :

 

[easy_tiger]

We won, i wonder what Balmey said : : : :

he turned to dimmer and went

'hey dimmer, grab us another pie. lets get this party started'

 

[MD Jazz]

We won, i wonder what Balmey said : : : :

About as little as he usually does!!

 

[Don Fraser]

We won, i wonder what Balmey said : : : :

Hope we don’t have to drink South Australian beer(Coopers if I must)

 

[easy_tiger]

Hope we don’t have to drink South Australian beer(Coopers if I must)

amen.

arse end of the Murray

 

[tigersnake]

No player or coach has "credits" in the cut and thrust of AFL footy.

seriously? No offence mate, but that is the statement of a clown.