When the going gets tough
By Tony Butterfield
ALL right. I need everyone to come in tight. We need to talk. Not too tight - there's a few of us. Players make room for the coaches; management make room for the members; fans make room for corporates. Right. Everyone in?
Here's the problem - 13 rounds, only five wins. Not good. Not good for the team, not good for the town. Not good enough. It's time, time to turn this season around.
But it's gonna take all of us. Together.
Now, I don't want to dwell on it, but some are saying we have given up. Not good. That's not us. Defensive lapses on the field. Empty seats at the ground. Deafening silences from the bleachers. Corporate function rooms well below capacity.
True it is that we've had some lean times. True it is that ownership and financial problems have plagued us. True it is that player potential has been slow to shine. But, no excuses - we should not give up. Only we can fix this.
So, players: the game goes for 80 minutes. Give your all for every minute (and please, now and then, Joey, will you pass the ball to McManus). You all know your business, so work together. Know your job and go out and do it well. From this point forward we need a three per cent improvement in everything you do. On and off the field.
Coaches: I only have questions. Where are the cunning plans? Where's the cohesion? Where is the energy around this place? It was there early on. Are the messages not getting through? If not, why not? The team's not working like a whole. You have our faith. Fix it!
Management: There are many areas that require your attention. But, for starters, match day needs to be bigger. More razzle-dazzle. If people are complaining about this and that, this and that may well need fixing. We want bums on seats, people. It's your job to make that happen.
Members: Far too many empty seats. No point waiting the whole off-season for the footy to start and then, when it's on, you stay home. If management can do their bit, the time is now. It's never the same unless you're there at the game.
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Fans: Louder, louder and louder. Carry the team in hard times. Tell the whistleblowers when the other mob are offside. Call the tries before the video refs deny them. Urge the team on through the tough times. Frighten the visitors. Let them know they're a long way from home and they're not bloody well welcome here (I'm only half kidding).
Corporates: Dig deep. We need you. The game's professional. Money talks. Offer sponsorship dollars. Fund game-day functions. Lucre isn't everything in this town, but it is necessary to run a successful footy club. And next time you're in the Newcastle Club, ask around. Make sure others are pulling their weight. Good footy is good for business.
A Knights fan looks disappointed after another loss during the round 13 NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and Canberra Raiders at Hunter Stadium on June 6. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)
A Knights fan looks disappointed after another loss during the round 13 NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and Canberra Raiders at Hunter Stadium on June 6. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)
We're only halfway there, people. We have a lot of work to do. The bye gives us a chance to ask what each one of us can do better. Ask that question, answer it, then do.
Now, as you were. But together.
CAN I just ask the coaches and players to stick around for a moment? I have two bob's worth. Thanks.
Gentlemen, an interesting anomaly from looking at statistics this week. Excluding the first loss to the Dragons, the next seven defeats featured morale-crushing tries within the five-minute periods before and after half-time. The championship period!
Josh Papalii's 39th-minute try last week took a lot of wind out of the sail. Likewise, Solomone Kata's knife for New Zealand the week before in the 43rd minute.
Before that Jack Reed scored a double for the Broncos in the 39th and 41st minutes in a demoralising loss at home.
Ligi Sao for Manly scored at the 37th; Cowboy Justin O'Neill's double emulated Reed's on the 35th- and 42nd-minute marks; and, for Parramatta, John Folau had a similar score in the 35th minute.
Tell me if I'm barking up the wrong tree here, but there is a worrying trend developing, gentlemen, that requires a plan of action. Mental toughness is the primary tool each of us must rely on to deal with the ebb and flow of fortunes during games. Tries just before or after half-time nonetheless are demoralising and hurt confidence. Get over it!
Defensive lapses through this 10-minute period are killing us.
Now that problem's identified, fix it.
