It’s been another poor start to the season for Damien Hardwick and his boys, with a hardly convincing win over a deplorable Carlton and a shocking performance against the Dogs on Saturday afternoon. Is it 2014 all over again?
The Tigers’ main problem last year was a lack of leadership and maturity within the playing group.
When the going gets tough your leaders stand up and will you across the line – look at the Hawks and even the Swans.
The Tigers’ leadership group is an absolute farce. Trent Cotchin is the main man and captain of the club, yet his footy seems to have been on a downward spiral ever since he got the captaincy.
Vice-captain Brett Deledio is another leader who hides on big occasions, while Troy Chaplin is lucky to still be in the best 22 after recent efforts, yet they have him ordering their defence? Same goes for Steven Morris. You should be a best-22 player to be part of the leadership group.
Ivan Maric is the only natural leader at the Tigers and should have been appointed captain.
Leadership and maturity is the biggest thing the good clubs have over the bad. The Hawks turn up every week with the mindset to go out and win – so do the Swans, Dockers and Cats. It’s why they have been up for so long.
The Tigers don’t lack talent – to win nine straight and beat the grand finalists and preliminary finalists isn’t just a fluke. It’s the fact that the same players go out there every week and decide whether they’re going to put in 100 per cent effort or not.
How do you fix it? I have no idea. But Hardwick better come up with a quick solution or he will be out of a job.
Milo
Roar Rookie
Good article WIlliam and agree most. Lids is getting better at shaking tags and just needs a chop out now and then from some of his teammates. Cotchin cops the hard tag every week and was tagged out of it on Saturday against the Dogs. When Lids is out, the effect is doubled. Chaplin frankly has had his day. He shouldve retired last year and maybe looked at coaching. His performances now are soft and lacking any real 'follow me' leadership unlike say Alex Rance, who was brilliant on the weekend. He's got to go as soon as Astbury is available. Houli too must go and we need someone like McDonough to be given a serious run instead. And while we're at it... Ricky Petterd you need a long spell in the twos. Lets look at others. Agree on Maric. He's a warrior.