SUN, surf and sand - all important factors when one is seeking to wipe away the humiliation of yet another loss to our friends across the border.
The Reds boys hit the beach en masse this week to drown their collective sorrows. It follows in the wake of the last crisis 'bonding' session which was a players-only barbeque at the home of Lucas Pantelis. The motivating effects of the succulently-marinated steaks, low-fat snags and tasty salad selection lasted for a brief time only. As Homer would say, "you don't win friends with salads". Apparently you don't win games with them either.
Perhaps that's a little harsh. Comments in the media and forums about the loss to Melbourne on the weekend have also been scathing in their assessment of the team and again I've found myself questioning whether it's all been too harsh. After all, perhaps Adelaide are just a fairly average football team.
The argument against that view is the fact that on their day, the Reds can sparkle - they have ability. They can also demonstrate grunt and determination - the recent win against Sydney being a case in point. This leads to the conclusion that consistency, or really mental aptitude, is the major problem.
Start heading in this direction and one inevitably arrives at the question of leadership, which again has been a hot media topic this week. Against Melbourne, captain Travis Dodd was (although fit to play) on the bench and Viddie "forgot" that (vice-captain) Lucas Pantelis was out on the park, so instead he christened Eugene Galekovic as the man to wear the armband and turn the snags.
It's all a bit bizarre. I certainly think the club is struggling for leadership at the moment but unless one is on the inside, knowing the personalities, it's hard to assess who the leaders should be. Perhaps Paul Reid or Mark Rudan? Maybe it's better that Travis and Lucas simply concentrate on being the creative, free spirits they both have shown they can be, rather than also having to carry the weight of leading the team into battle.
Whoever the leaders are they need to bleed for the club, inspire the players and drag them (when necessary) by their proverbials to a place of consistent mental toughness and effort. That's all we as fans can ask.
Anyway, my head hurts; I'm off for a swim.
