I find it interesting that some of late have come out and stated that last years wins and the Wizard Cup were aberrations, that we ‘over achieved’. Some have further claimed that it would have been ‘better’ for the club to have finished nearer the bottom last year and not won the pre-season competition.

This view is revisionist and short sighted. Some key questions have to be asked. Given that the club, in the last six months have been able to secure a major sponsor, had a longterm sponsor increase it sponsorship, successfully increased secondary corporate sponsors, grown the coteries and achieved a record membership, do the revisionists believe this would have happened if the club finished poorly and had lost the first round of the Wizard Cup?

Let’s examine the Wizard Cup win first. The 250 000 first prize was nice but the add on benefits had been worth a lot more in dollar terms. Prior to the competition our membership numbers were not meeting expectations and we were still looking for a major sponsor. At the end of the competition we were ahead of projections on membership and had secured a new sponsor. So let’s do the figures

250 000 1st Place
500 000 new sponsor
200 000 Increased memberships

950 000 total.

None of this would have happened if we spent March playing in the regional series.

Now to the claims we should have finished near the bottom and picked some early draft picks. I have two issues with this. The first is that as supporters we expect those that represent the club out on the field do the best that they can and win as many games as they can. It is a compact between supporters and players. Thus we cannot be critical when the playing group achieves to its ability. While some will claim that last years group did not ‘represent’ their idea of a club, the fact remains that the group represented the club as a whole and did pretty well given the circumstances of the manner in which they were drawn together. For this they should be congratulated not condemned. (Note this year’s group has been criticised because of poor performance and given the results it is justifiable) My second issue with the revisionist view of last season is this. If we had finished last do the revisionists seriously think that the coach would have been re-signed to an extended contract or that Fevola would have re-signed if Pagan was not staying. A big price to pay for a couple of unproven youngsters.

It is my view that last season gave the club some much-needed breathing space. It allowed us to shore ourselves up off field and give a bit of joy to supporters. It gave the club time to gather itself and plan better for the future. Yes I would agree that there is a long way to go and much work to be done. But lets also enjoy the victories when we have them because the road is dark enough as it is.

This concept of Overachieving fascinates me. We always hear that team X or player Y played above themselves.
I still cant understand how you can perform above your capabilities. The aim is to get as close to 100% of your ability as possible each game. Obviously it is not possible to reach 100% of what you are capoable of. How is it posssible to play above 100% of your capabilities.
The Carlton team last year and in the Wizzer played close to their capabilities. Isnt that what you expect from your team every week?

This concept of Overachieving fascinates me. We always hear that team X or player Y played above themselves.
I still cant understand how you can perform above your capabilities. The aim is to get as close to 100% of your ability as possible each game. Obviously it is not possible to reach 100% of what you are capoable of. How is it posssible to play above 100% of your capabilities.
The Carlton team last year and in the Wizzer played close to their capabilities. Isnt that what you expect from your team every week?

Couldn't agree more.

Winning 10 games last year was necessary in terms of laying sponsorships, > membership and for the players and supporters to go into 2005 with a bit of hope.

Those 10 wins might appear a waste now to many, and this may sound silly, but from that "high" (if you can call it that), which the club had at the end of last season and into the Wizzer, it has enabled us to see which players have come falling down with a thud to where we sit now.

Remember, "man is where he is that he may learn that he may grow".

Some may argue that last season was 'short term gain for long term pain', however I look back on it as being (especially for some players) 'short term pain for long term gain' (in terms of the club). And that is what it is really all about.

Now try and digest all of what i just said...