sports psychology

[jmac101]

the program 'hack' on triple j just had a really good fifteen minute segment on sport psychology and the grand final replay. would be worth downloading the podcast later on tonight. i'm pretty sure it is on itunes.

as i was listening i couldn't help but feel that our guys have to have the advantage. given how shattered the guys were after last year i imagine that they have contacts with their own sports psychologists or have at least learnt the coping mechanisms and are better prepared to deal with whatever disappointment they may be feeling given the short turnaround to next week.

dont think the younger collingwood players would be as good at dealing with that kind of stuff given the short space of time.

[degruch]

A mate of mine is really into sports psych, believes the replay is heavily weighted in our advantage, due to the fact that Collingwood have effectively lost what they were supposed to win. Add to this that they trotted out their 'A' game, but it wasn't enough to stop a 24 point comeback.

He also believes we are more intimidating.

[ralphsmith]

I feel f****** fantastic now, i hope the saints players feel it also.

A chance to grind our opponents into the bones of the earth!

A chance to fix that shocking start, to nullify swan again, to nullify Thomas.

Exciting times. Fire up.

[True Blue Sainter]

Promising stuff. I too, believe we have the advantage. We handled everything they threw at us, kept the margin to a manageable level (just), and came home with a wet sail and could (perhaps should) have pinched it. I was also very encouraged with the body language of our players after the game - the way Roo grabbed them together and had some words to them was a complete contrast to the way the Pies players just sunk to the ground and buried their heads in their hands.

[degruch]

I feel f****** fantastic now, i hope the saints players feel it also.

I didn't like Greg Hutchison's comments that the players felt they "...didn't get the result they deserved" though. I'd hate to think a sense of entitlement had replaced the desire to smash the Pies into the turf once and for all.

[python]

I think we have an advantage also, all the drama of this year, right now it going to be handy preparation. Thankfully Ross had the visions and foresight to install the 'bubble' when he did.

[jmac101]

interesting that both on the couch and OWAAT both have collingwood players on tonight (jolly and leigh brown), whilst our only rep is ross lyon on OWAAT.

one thing the sports psychologist said on the radio was that it was best to clear your head and recover mentally for the first few days of the week. quite happy that these tv shows aren't drilling our boys and asking questions about the game this early in the week when they are trying to recharge mentally.

[SainterK]

interesting that both on the couch and OWAAT both have collingwood players on tonight (jolly and leigh brown), whilst our only rep is ross lyon on OWAAT.

one thing the sports psychologist said on the radio was that it was best to clear your head and recover mentally for the first few days of the week. quite happy that these tv shows aren't drilling our boys and asking questions about the game this early in the week when they are trying to recharge mentally.

Ross has to do the media, he put all the players back in the bubble yesterday.

[[SuB]]

This thread makes me feel good.

Although I have been thinking that all the adversity this year places us in the box seat for dealing with this most extraordinary of circumstances.

[jonesy]

I hope they're feeling a lot better than me now...

I am gutted,depressed even.I am feeling as if we lost,even though we get another chance!! I seriously think it has to do with my mental state saturday during the game? I think my body went into overload,an emotional rollercoaster...think the brain released a stupid amount of seretonin or something,now I've got nothing left.

[degruch]

I hope they're feeling a lot better than me now...

I am gutted,depressed even.I am feeling as if we lost,even though we get another chance!! I seriously think it has to do with my mental state saturday during the game? I think my body went into overload,an emotional rollercoaster...think the brain released a stupid amount of seretonin or something,now I've got nothing left.

We should have won by a heap (bad luck, bad umpires, bad forward delivery), but 'should's not gonna get anyone through the reality that it's game on again this week...if the team doesn't have that in their heads and dwells on the weekend, we'll be in trouble. Chin up mate...we're in a better position this week.

[Beej]

I hope they're feeling a lot better than me now...

I am gutted,depressed even.I am feeling as if we lost,even though we get another chance!! I seriously think it has to do with my mental state saturday during the game? I think my body went into overload,an emotional rollercoaster...think the brain released a stupid amount of seretonin or something,now I've got nothing left.

Today I was feeling a bit off as well. I was thinking I was coming down with the flu or something.

Now I'm fairly sure it's just me recovering from the weekend.

The game took so much out of us that it's left us emotionally drained.

A Grand Final come-down.

[saintly]

I hope they're feeling a lot better than me now...

I am gutted,depressed even.I am feeling as if we lost,even though we get another chance!! I seriously think it has to do with my mental state saturday during the game? I think my body went into overload,an emotional rollercoaster...think the brain released a stupid amount of seretonin or something,now I've got nothing left.

Today I was feeling a bit off as well. I was thinking I was coming down with the flu or something.

Now I'm fairly sure it's just me recovering from the weekend.

The game took so much out of us that it's left us emotionally drained.

The issue is, that you hope the saints players don't feel the same way

A Grand Final come-down.

[saintbrat]

interesting that both on the couch and OWAAT both have collingwood players on tonight (jolly and leigh brown), whilst our only rep is ross lyon on OWAAT.

one thing the sports psychologist said on the radio was that it was best to clear your head and recover mentally for the first few days of the week. quite happy that these tv shows aren't drilling our boys and asking questions about the game this early in the week when they are trying to recharge mentally.

Ross has to do the media, he put all the players back in the bubble yesterday.

interestingly there are Pies players on each of the shows tonight and maxwell had been on radio/ tv each day since..

BUT the pies ahve also re introduced hidden or closed training this week- out in the burbs today and at the G wednesday before their only open session Friday.

[gringo]

I feel that under pressure the Pies became reactive. As soon as you feel the opposition is in control and you go second to the ball you are in real trouble.

It can obviously go either way, but who ever sees the opportunity to take control of the game and play on their terms should win. We finished with momentum and have last year to gather motivation. They don't have baggage from two near misses.

I still feel we have a bit of a psychological edge now but this one will be a test of players mental strength, something older heads should cope with better.

[InkerSaint]

We have been happy to slip under the radar all year and let the footy do the talking when it counts. The team is tough, resilient, and will go to the death. Our script is playing out perfectly.

The script has been turned on its head for Collingwood.

The Brownlow and the flag were both meant to be a cakewalk.

They have 5 days left to re-program.

[TazzieSaintGirl83]

I find my faith in our boys and Ross.
They dont look nor have they acted like broken or beaten men. At the same time I think the strong and humble leadership of guys like Roo and Lenny will keep them grounded and focused.
The fire still burns in our boys, their heads wont be easily turned by media. The bubble is still intact.