“Until it’s not mathematically possible,you have got to talk the talk. You can’t sell anything else – even if they weren’t going to make finals,you have got to sell it that you are trying to win games,” Shaw said on Tuesday.
The spotlight continues to sharpen on off-contract coach Nathan Buckley – a focus that former charge Dale Thomas says will take a toll on the players – but Shaw said the Magpies must believe they can secure another 11 wins from the remaining 16 home-and-away matches that will at least be needed to make the finals. The Bombers and Bulldogs were alive come September in 2019 with 12 wins apiece.
“If they are thinking they can’t play finals,what message does it sell? That’s ridiculous. Of course,you think you can turn it around. Get a win this week and you get a bit of confidence,” Shaw said.
Only one side – the Hawks of 2010 – have made the finals from the same position as the Magpies. In fact,they slumped to 1-6 before turning their season around and finishing with 12 wins and a draw. The Swans of 2017 rebounded from a worse position,going winless in the opening six rounds. While 41 other sides with a 1-5 record have failed to make the finals,Shaw said Korda was right to tellThe Sunday Age:“I think we’ll do finals this year.”
The 1990 premiership captain and former coachhas never been afraid to take aim at his former club but said he had been impressed with what Korda had said since officially replacing Eddie McGuire last week.
“I think he has had a pretty good week,Mark Korda. People are coming at him a bit but they[Magpies] have made their decision now and what you have got to do is hang in there,” Shaw said.