Its a strange dynamic that we cant put lower clubs away such as Melbourne & Dogs 2 years in a row when heavy favourites but yet can get up to beat good teams when underdogs. Is that we feel the pressure of being favourites and don't play with the freedom that comes with a lower expectation of winning?
-
IMPORTANT // Please look after your loved ones, yourself and be kind to others. If you are feeling that the world is too hard to handle there is always help - I implore you not to hesitate in contacting one of these wonderful organisations Lifeline and Beyond Blue ... and I'm sure reaching out to our PRE community we will find a way to help. T.
Why is it we can win when underdogs but lose when favourites?
- Thread starter Mr Magic
- Start date
That problem goes way back.
When we have been favourites we have let ourselves down and the supporters.
We have a history that every big game, most milestones, GF, death of legends we just don't get the job done. Whether the current crop can't handle the spotlight, the occasion or go in over confident I don't have the answer.
What I will say if you are off your game by 5% on any given day most sides can beat each other. The comp is pretty even now.
It has to be mental application and not setting the tone from the start of a game and waiting for someone else.
Let's see if this applies to the Dreamtime game.
You tend to know if the players are on within the first 5 mins. I haven't been too wrong through the years following the Tigers.
When we have been favourites we have let ourselves down and the supporters.
We have a history that every big game, most milestones, GF, death of legends we just don't get the job done. Whether the current crop can't handle the spotlight, the occasion or go in over confident I don't have the answer.
What I will say if you are off your game by 5% on any given day most sides can beat each other. The comp is pretty even now.
It has to be mental application and not setting the tone from the start of a game and waiting for someone else.
Let's see if this applies to the Dreamtime game.
You tend to know if the players are on within the first 5 mins. I haven't been too wrong through the years following the Tigers.
French Tiger said:
That's Hardwick talking. Too simple.
The answer lies much deeper with our leadership group IMO.
It's much harder to win with the weight of expectation and that's when champion teams come to the fore.
Hardwick has yet to really get his team to perform when there is most on the line.
It needs to be rectified or we need to find a coach and senior players who can make it happen.
Upcoming sides find wins early in the year much easier. They jump out of the box. As the season goes on and the better teams go up a gear some three, the younger sides often fall away.
Its no excuse.
But does seem to happen most years.
Hopefully as the year goes on we find those extra gears, start beating the other middle of the road sides (like we did last year) and make the finals. That would be a great result after our form line seemed to be going backwards with two poor starts to the season.
With our list being shown up with to many money ballers, injuries exposing a lack of experienced depth, the fact we have blooded a load of kids, that will be the most important goal from here.
If we can do that I will then reassess my expectation's.
Lot of water to go under the bridge. We have a load of work to do just to make the 8!
Its no excuse.
But does seem to happen most years.
Hopefully as the year goes on we find those extra gears, start beating the other middle of the road sides (like we did last year) and make the finals. That would be a great result after our form line seemed to be going backwards with two poor starts to the season.
With our list being shown up with to many money ballers, injuries exposing a lack of experienced depth, the fact we have blooded a load of kids, that will be the most important goal from here.
If we can do that I will then reassess my expectation's.
Lot of water to go under the bridge. We have a load of work to do just to make the 8!
I think it's more perception than reality. Port supporters may be asking the same question of their own team today.
yet we had a 9 game streak last year where we needed to win every game to make the finals. Just one loss and the season is over. While it's not the same perceived pressure as being expected to win, I reckon it was a tougher pressure which the team responded too.
Dunno. It's a strange thing football.
Dunno. It's a strange thing football.
good chance to add two more wins on the board with Ess, fletch 400th etc, and a trip to Freo before the season break. Then West Coast and Sydney post the break, so can easily get on a underdog winning streak again. :hihi
i'm hearing 'consistency of performance' being spoken about by a lot of RFC folk...i think that's what we're talking about hereTigers of Old said:
We just don't handle expectation well.
Same reason why we perform well interstate. Away from home, the expectation is always low. We are expected to lose. Hence, we win.
Same reason why we perform well interstate. Away from home, the expectation is always low. We are expected to lose. Hence, we win.
