SA Footy

We're all friends here...

For those involved on Saturday, how are you feeling?

How are you keeping yourself occupied?

Does time seem to be going soooooo SLOW?

How do you curb pre-final jitters?

Do any seasoned campaigners have any advice for those playing their first GF (or first in aaages)

Footy Chick wrote:We're all friends here...

For those involved on Saturday, how are you feeling?

How are you keeping yourself occupied?

Does time seem to be going soooooo SLOW?

How do you curb pre-final jitters?

Do any seasoned campaigners have any advice for those playing their first GF (or first in aaages)

I've never played a final, let alone a grand final, but I get mega antsy during the week.

But then again, I've always said watching the lads is the highlight of my week. Sad, isn't it?

I dont play till next week and already starting to get a little nervy, im hoping its a good sign as the last 4 GFs i have played in i didnt get to nervous and i have lost all 4. The idea is to keep things as normal as possible but much easier said than done.

a good warm up kills the nerves

Never changed anything during the week or the morning of. Nerves were going to be there naturally, i used to feel them after the warm-up during the last quater of the two's up until the game starting, but once the siren went it became another game, doing the same things you'd done all year.

The idea of "keeping it normal" or "its just another game and treat it that way" doesn't wash with me. FFS its a grand final and not too many blokes get to play in one let alone win one. IT IS a special time, treat it that way, get excited, get nervous, get pumped, just let week unfold. Try and think about it, but most of all ENJOY

I was actually far more nervous pre-lim final week. This week its more excitement than nervousness. Embrace the excitement and enjoy it - Its what we all play footy for so you might as well enjoy it. After 5 minutes any nerves are usually gone until the last quarter if the game is tight.

Pag wrote:Never changed anything during the week or the morning of. Nerves were going to be there naturally, i used to feel them after the warm-up during the last quater of the two's up until the game starting, but once the siren went it became another game, doing the same things you'd done all year.

probably add in a wrestle before the siren as well

It's obviously not a normal game as far as the result goes, but you'd still train the same nights, for the same amount of time. Still went in and had a meal and played cards after training. I still had the same dinner on Friday night, same breakfast on Saturday morning. I didn't see the need to change any of this.

The nerves were naturally there before the game, but once the ball went up you just try to impact the next contest the same way you would normally.

The result obviously has more riding on it, but I don't understand why would you change whats been successful for 21 weeks? I am horribly superstitious however.

The night before is the hardest part of grand final week- the biggest battle I have faced for all 4 of my gf's is to not play the game in your head on friday night.

Once you wake up saturday morning, just try and stick to your normal pre-match routine. Nerves are higher during the warm up but once the first bounce is done and you get your first touch out of the way the nerves quickly disappear.

Pag wrote: I still had the same dinner on Friday night, same breakfast on Saturday morning. I didn't see the need to change any of this.

If your normal routine was to go out on a bender on Friday night, would you change this for a GF?

(Perhaps Piccachu can answer this for us )

valleys07 wrote:The night before is the hardest part of grand final week- the biggest battle I have faced for all 4 of my gf's is to not play the game in your head on friday night.

Once you wake up saturday morning, just try and stick to your normal pre-match routine. Nerves are higher during the warm up but once the first bounce is done and you get your first touch out of the way the nerves quickly disappear.

That's the biggest thing I reckon. If you play the game out in your head too much during the week it can really take it out of you. And if the game doesn't go the way you were thinking it can effect how you play.

You cant stop nerves, I once vomited before I left home the morning of a grand final due to nerves . But like Valleys07 said, once the ball is bounced you switch into game mode and hopefully all goes well.

Good luck to all teams in GFs this weekend - except ROCS C1

If your normal routine was to go out on a bender on Friday night, would you change this for a GF?

(Perhaps Piccachu can answer this for us )

I am a changed man FC, no more big friday nights for me before footy
But in saying that a few of the boys have got off the drink for the finals campaign, which i have not and will not be a part of.

Footy Chick wrote:We're all friends here...

For those involved on Saturday, how are you feeling?

How are you keeping yourself occupied?

Does time seem to be going soooooo SLOW?

How do you curb pre-final jitters?

Do any seasoned campaigners have any advice for those playing their first GF (or first in aaages)

Sex and as much as you can get.
If you're lucky with a partner.

piccachu wrote:[But in saying that a few of the boys have got off the drink for the finals campaign, .

Do you reckon it's made a difference to their performances?

HAWKBOY wrote:

Footy Chick wrote:We're all friends here...

For those involved on Saturday, how are you feeling?

How are you keeping yourself occupied?

Does time seem to be going soooooo SLOW?

How do you curb pre-final jitters?

Do any seasoned campaigners have any advice for those playing their first GF (or first in aaages)

Sex and as much as you can get.
If you're lucky with a partner.

Worst thing you can do apparently - studies have shown that a date with Mrs Palmer just before you go out to play is actually the best time for this to heighten your levels of testosterone.

Suri wrote:

valleys07 wrote:The night before is the hardest part of grand final week- the biggest battle I have faced for all 4 of my gf's is to not play the game in your head on friday night.

Once you wake up saturday morning, just try and stick to your normal pre-match routine. Nerves are higher during the warm up but once the first bounce is done and you get your first touch out of the way the nerves quickly disappear.

That's the biggest thing I reckon. If you play the game out in your head too much during the week it can really take it out of you. And if the game doesn't go the way you were thinking it can effect how you play.
You cant stop nerves, I once vomited before I left home the morning of a grand final due to nerves . But like Valleys07 said, once the ball is bounced you switch into game mode and hopefully all goes well.

Good luck to all teams in GFs this weekend - except ROCS C1

Exactly right. in 2008 I caught up with teammates for a meal on the friday night and caught up with family that night- took my mind right off the game and by saturday morning i was mentally fresh and didnt really get nervous up until just before running out.

Much different to my 3 other experiences in 2002, 2004 and 2005 where i played the game over and over that week and really struggled to settle.

It all comes down to what works for the individual. My advice is dont change what has worked for you over the entire season.

Do you reckon it's made a difference to their performances?

I dont think so, very much a personal decission to make, if i thought it would help me personally i would do it, but i dont think it would have any positive effects on me hence why i have given it a miss

keep things as normal as you can..
dont play your game out mentally before saturday..if you need to think about the game then visualize positively..
its the way you have played successfully for 20 rounds that needs to be replicated, dont try and reinvent the wheel..do the same things but increase the intensity of your game by 15-20%
stay busy at work and at home..idle minds wander..watch the footy friday night and then go to bed

i would suggest to not think about what your doing to much, just do what ever you want at the time.if you start thinking oh i should be doing this or that then you over playing it. Nerves will be there dont fight them relish in them.
Once the siren sounds you must not use to much nervous energy this can sap yopu for a quarter, the other thing a liked is to get into a stoush always got your mind on the game. but hey last game i played was 16 years ago