Advice from a legend lives on

WHEN coronavirus led to the cancellation of the Intrust Super Cup, Jason Tassell admits it could have been very easy for rugby league players to get into a negative mindset.

But the Townsville Blackhawks’ head of strength and conditioning said excuses were still thin for athletes as even the current pandemic could be used to their benefit.

In his playing days with Eastern Suburbs, Tassell was coached by the great Jack Gibson – a man who said a lot by not saying much.

Coming through the ranks to make it, Tassell said his success was dependent on being prepared to do what others were not and realising that excuses, regardless of the situation, would hinder progress.

Even while he was injured, simple words by arguably rugby league’s greatest mentor became ingrained in him and are paramount to the circumstances of today.

“I was coming back from a knee injury and he (Gibson) said ‘great players do whatever it takes’ – that was it, that’s all he said,” Tassell said.

“In this situation, they just need to find a way to do whatever it takes.

“It is a challenge, and … it’s really important they’re honest with themselves with what is important to them.

“They need to understand that these sort of setbacks are just detours. You’re in the driver’s seat so it’s up to you the path that detour takes.”

Some Blackhawks players harbour aspirations of returning to the NRL and now have no opportunity to press their case for the 2021 season.

Others have families and are coming to the end of their careers, perhaps now able to relish the additional time at home that a season on the road does not provide.

But where significant discussions have been had, according to Tassell, are for the under-20s players who were in their final year before progressing to the senior ranks.

Tassell said there had been talk of changing age restrictions for the competition next year to accommodate those that had lost the chance to push for ISC or NRL contracts.

He said finding a routine would be key for those players in getting through the year with a purpose.

And the host of Nrl-calibre athletes in the Blackhawks ranks – such as Josh Hoffman, Patrick Kaufusi and Sione Lousi – could help set the benchmark for what it takes to succeed.

“Time is probably the key. If you’re a young player and you’re coming through there are things you’ll need to work on and now you’ve got time to work on all your weaknesses,” Tassell said.

“Once they get out of routine and structure, things start to go bad really quickly. It’s always good when you do get guys who have been in a professional system back because they do bring an expectation in their attitude.”