'Geelong doesn't work hard enough' - really? What is 'working hard'?
Scott's Cats - 2022
Editor’s note - if this is a re-send, apologies. It seems the scheduled post didn’t publish last night as intended
'Geelong doesn't work hard enough,' - a statement from a 'high profile recruit' at his 2021 season exit meeting. Weighty words.
You might be more likely to find it in a 'mates' WhatsApp group, or the cerebral surrounds of the Cremorne Hotel, on a mid-summer Sunday afternoon.
For the record, this is second-hand to me, and not substantiated. But, for the sake of this column, we can make some assumptions.
The debate is not centered on the comment; it is looking more broadly at the presumption that everyone, and all teams, should 'work hard.'
You generally hear, and see the 'hard work' card played in one of two circumstances; a team is struggling, results are not coming, the coach is under mounting pressure, or; as a result of a turn-around in form, a team starting to feel the flow, and a coach ready to accept recognition for this.
Something like this: 'We just need to work harder, things will change, it's all about hard work' or 'We just went back to basics and worked our butts off, hard work does pay off, eventually'
So the first assumption we will make is that the 'high profile recruit' came from Hawthorn FC, again, there is no incriminating intent here.
He spent ten seasons with the Hawks from 2011 to 2020; collecting three premierships along the way. A stellar first stanza for a supremely gifted footballer.
He had one coach during that time - Alastair Clarkson.
In one sentence you could describe Clarkson as - A leader of change, an adopter of innovation, and a tireless worker.
There can be no doubt that the 'high profile recruits' perception of 'hard work' might be very different from those of his new teammates, and his new coach. Hence, most probably the catalyst for him to pitch his flag at that end-of-season review. Perhaps, there was a hint of defensive play in his words, also.
Expounding out to other pursuits; it is worth noting a quote made famous by South African golfer, Gary Player.
Player infamously said 'the harder I practice, the luckier I get.' At least Player replaced the 'work' with 'practice.' So he did remove the ambiguity around the word 'work.' Practice became an obsession for Player, and with this, he cultivated an unhealthy feeling of exclusivity around himself. He was affixed to the notion that 'hard work' translates to 'luck' which in turn results in 'success.'
Staying with golf, and moving up a notch.
Tiger Woods moved to Florida soon after turning pro; originally home for him was in Southern California. He opted for the popular golfing community of Isleworth, in the north of the Sunshine State; his friend and mentor, Mark O'Meara lived there. With deepening pockets, and no female strings attached, Woods pretty much had the pick of the available real estate.
His house choice was intriguing. This story was relayed to me via a PGA Tour caddie. He was sober.
Woods’ choice was a three-bed, two-bath, single-level townhouse. It had no water frontage, very little street appeal, and no direct access to the golf course.
But, it did have one thing going for it, one very big plus in the 1997 world of Tiger Woods. There was direct access to the driving range, more to the point, walking access to the practice tee. Woods, like Gary Player, was married to golf, and the pursuit of perfection. 'Hard work' was in his DNA, or, was it 'smart work' and not just 'hard work.'
To finish the sober caddie story... Woods’ party piece was to walk out to the tee around 2 am - six-iron in hand, ten or so balls in his pocket, no lights, complete darkness - and he hit the best 10 shots he could, the balls disappearing into the darkness. At first light, he would return, walk out to where he thought the landing area would be, to find, nearly always, the balls from the night before, in a tight circle, perfect dispersion. I believed the caddy, why wouldn't you!
So, if we characterise Alistair Clarkson as a leader of change, innovative, and hard-working, how do we identify, Chris Scott?
Any coach who has a win-loss record like Scott's has to have the 'hard working' tick? Surely?
And he must be open to change, and this is not a one plus two equals three equation. Affecting change, and the urgency to do this is difficult. Disloyalty to your beliefs as a coach feels dangerous, counterintuitive. The effect is magnified if you are already in a place of worry.
Scott is open to change. His football department has welcomed 16 new staff members for the 2022 season. Gone is the need for 'line coaches' - he sees a more collaborative, and holistic coaching panel. More inclusivity. This is all born out of the ability to change course. Tick!
And, strategically, he has to have a deeper knowledge of the game and his players than other coaches more junior in experience. You can almost see the mouse-wheel turning when the camera traps him in the box. His playbook would be extensive.
In short, he has all the tools he needs. Whether he sits alongside Alistair Clarkson on a peer level, who knows, does Scott care, I doubt it!
Do the Cats 'work hard enough' - watch this space. There will be no talk of this while they are winning, and if the wheels start to wobble, or the finals approach, well that misinterpreted cliche will likely be rolled out. 'Hard work' means next to nothing; it is the work you do - that really matters.
It seems this post didn’t publish last night as scheduled, during the pre-game!
So my Cats tip did not eventuate, Sydney did not suffer any interferences, and Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin stopped the game as only he can do - kicking his 1000th league goal. I will have to check the tape to see if Geelong’s ‘high profile recruit’ was the first to congratulate Buddy!
I have to tip a 2-0 start for the Cats. The individual significance of tonight's game might carry too big a burden for the Sydney Swans, and Lance 'Buddy' Franklin. However, assuming Buddy does kick the goals he needs, I am looking forward to the 'controlled ground invasion'
And my second tip is the 'high profile recruit' might be the first to congratulate Buddy!
