The Hidden Toll: Social Media’s Impact on Carlton Players’ Performance

[@BlueAbroad]

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[@BluebaggersEdge]

G'day gents! Haha fancy seeing you lads chatting about this - I (under my video production biz) was the one who actually filmed and edited this OnTime series together. Spoke to Vossy, Hansen, Cook et. al. about a variety of topics, and unearthed some decent discussion points. The whole series is drawing comparisons in OnTime's business and to CFC on a variety of topics, so here Tara's answer was more a holistic response, not just within elite sport, but also other industries (boss and employee feedback) and generally in today's society. 👍

[@brianambrosemcmahon8531]

Brilliant topic and discussion Terry and Dan. The difference in today’s media environment is that opinions are amplified and publicized to a greater extent often defamatory and insulting . Michael Gervais book the first rule of mastery provides a master class of taking control and overcoming the FOPO fear of other people’s opinions and empowers us to achieve our true potential. It’s a must read for not only players but everyone striving to be their best version every day . You know yourself better than anyone and learn to ignore opinions of ill informed strangers .

[@soniaperichon5776]

My feeling is shouting out your frustrations over the fence and screaming to a third generation player like Jsos as an example that he is a disgrace to his family name and the jumper is just not on EVER !! That broke me !!! It’s not constructive and it’s not acceptable EVER!!! I don’t care who you are or how much money you give to the club. That sort of thing cuts deep..to the person receiving that sort of verbal abuse and to everyone listening to it around. How could anyone hurt someone they cheer on and wish the best for do that. Yes I get angry, frustrated and all of the above but I can’t even boo our past players let alone our own !! It’s bad enough the media write and say crap let alone your own supporters. Ppl should stop and think if I wouldn’t have the guts to say it to their face then I shouldn’t on social media .. !!! Also I’ll add that the saying ‘sticks and stones…’ was fine once but today those words are in writing and out there for everyone to see in perpetuity and that’s the difference.

[@andyh2343]

Great conversation boys.

[@BlueAbroad]

@@andyh2343 thanks bro

[@anthonypage2531]

I am 58 years old and am only on Snapchat, mainly to have another connection for myself and my son. As Pommy said ,this isn't new behaviour, the worst thing for me, is this is a vehicle for cowards, in my day if you had something to say, you would say it to their face, and then deal with the consequences of that, face to face.

[@Equality-7-2521]

Harry McKay and others have said that they generally stay away from social media and noise about themselves. But even then, a friend or relative will mention something they heard anyway. Tara's comments are correct, though. Ignore it, focus on your work. That's the same in any field. But I think the professional press can do more damage than some nobody on Twitter. Consider all the noise about trading Harry in 2023 (I really have let it go, honest, but it's worth recalling here). That wasn't randos spewing hate on social media, it was nearly every "expert" and big name player commentator saying on TV, radio, and in the papers that he was finished and should be tossed on the scrap heap. You talk about the only opinions that might have an effect are the ones from someone whose opinion you respect, and that would be the Nathan Buckleys and Garry Lyons, and Leigh Matthews rather than, for example, a nobody like me. Turns out I was right and they were wrong, of course, but never mind. Harry dealt with it and came back stronger than ever in 2024, thank goodness. But it could have gone much differently if Harry didn't have the right mindset and support. Nothing to do with social media, and I would wager that had much more of an effect than anything on social media from whiny fans. Much of this discussion seems to be about the big picture of social media in general rather than how it affects players. It's a larger societal problem and worthy of debate on its own, obviously. The distinction is blurred here and isn't really enlightening about how players need to deal/not deal with it. Tara said, "Performance is what we do, not who we are," which is pretty straightforward. They should be focusing on the work regardless, so this shouldn't be some revelation to anyone.

[@nickhorsburgh2203]

I’d like to think that our list is tough enough and mentally strong enough to believe in themselves and not let social media dictate how they perceive themselves. However, it’s hard to place yourself in their situation. For me some people love me, others don’t. I know who I am and am proud of who I am today. But it was a long journey for me. Interesting topic

[@nickhorsburgh2203]

“heroes don’t react to dickheads” - on point. Maybe the boys need to toughen up a bit and start to believe in themselves a bit more.

[@feelingnostalgic1806]

100% agree Pom. VERY wishy washy…lots of waffle. I wasn’t impressed with Tara’s answers. This is an area in which I could and would be willing to discuss in length about. I still feel the team lacks a lot on the mental aspect of the game. Not pointing the finger.

[@CraigAMcDonough]

Unfortunately, I see the response to be a lot like Voss' coaching. He has the skills for the game for sure but he doesn't have the hard edged approach. Its very socially acceptable and Carlton as a club also embrace the social acceptable "agendas" to the extent it affects performance - DRASTICALLY. I too support them but not on game day. At the end of the day we are a football team trying to win games of football not influence social agendas (of which many darker ideology lurks in the background) I'm reminded of Terry Wallace's "I'll Spew Up" talk to the players after losing a close one and compare it to the way Voss handles it. Vossy just about hands out the tissues (I'm sure they're pink ones too) and gives all the players a nice cuddle. The hard arsed attitude & coaching style is what Carlton need - a BIG foot up the arse of the non performers. Fantasia & Motlop would not be able to sit for a month if that were the case! This "all inclusive, socially acceptable" behavior is fine for the alphabet people but FFS this is football... grow a pair and play like you have a set!

[@PetraKann]

The fire and brimstone days of football are over my friend. I remember at least two occasions where players physically clashed with the coach. On one occasion a player punched the coach over a very serious matter - both player and coach were gone by the end of the season. The other incident involved a player grabbing the coach by the neck and pinning him up against the wall of the player's race and having other players separate them . Coaches would get personal with players. Today sporting clubs are professional organisations run just like a bank branch or Meat processing factory. I have no issue with how the game has changed at club level. My main objection with the Blues is the club's directors moving away from the core goals of winning games, playing finals and winning premierships. There is too much energy and time put into non-football related issues. It's not the club's role to act as a social engineering consultancy firm and ask its players and staff to dedicate time and effort to non-football related causes. If an individual player or staff member has a social cause they are passionate about, they are more than welcome to pursue it during their personal time Ultimately the players, members, fans and club staff all want to win premiership cups and celebrate together.

[@CraigAMcDonough]

@@PetraKann I agree regarding the club's role but the coach seems to embrace this social limp wristed attitude. No doubt players and coaches have had their dust ups, I seen it in local leagues when I played. I couldn't see it happen in AFL level - not id a player wanted to continue playing. I think Lyon has a bit of the old mongrel in him just not the players. Bring back the mongrel I say!

[@PetraKann]

@CraigAMcDonough controlled aggression can be helpful to the team. This is a contact sport that has brutal demands on players and coaches. It's not crochet. (The two incidents I mentioned occured at Princes Park but a few decades ago - when we were winning flags 😁)

[@justinglasper6146]

Take note of this carlton supporter,s and dont worry ive been guilty of it to

[@MichaelSmith-px1ev]

Pommy 40 is young. You haven’t even lived half your life yet enjoy it .

[@PommyinOZ]

100% I have a lot of life to go. More importantly I want to be a healthy dad for my kids wife and me, route I Was going meant I was gonna put a road block in front of my boys. Lead by example. I want them to have me around when they have kids so I'm taking the measures to make sure I'll be here when they are me

[@TheChadPhillips]

I can't take this platform seriously when you're going to shill for the Carlton socials like this (might as well be a HR team) yet you platform Pommy. He is toxic. Anyone who dares question him? They are stupid and he's soooo intelligent. Make a decision dude. You want to keep your 1000 followers? Cool. Otherwise stop shilling the "message" dude. Your choice 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@justinglasper6146]

You,s boys guilty of it to, like me i am to

[@BlueAbroad]

Of course we are. It’s a never ending journey to improve.

[@Seniorfirstofficer]

Any criticism especially for Harry McKay is justified. How much does he earn? These are professional athletes, if you can't stand the heat, move on

[@feelingnostalgic1806]

I agree

[@Equality-7-2521]

Harry took the heat and came back stronger than ever in 2024.

[@PetraKann]

@@Seniorfirstofficer you mean like the entire Sydney swans team and coaches in Grand Finals?

[@Peter-i1y]

This shows to me a weak mentality in some of our players. Who gives a shit of what supporters and or media say. You shouldn't be reading it first and or affected by it if you are professional athlete! Detachment from such things is critical! What are the psychologist doing? What are the coaches doing? And what are our players doing! Players should be taught to detach from such criticism!

[@calebj9079]

Poor comment mate, easier said than done to stay offline, no one deserves person abuse. Clear lack of understanding of mental health and the profession itself