Lesson in Sally
emma.greenwood@news.com..au IF the Gold Coast’s professional football teams need any convincing that they can turn their poor situation around, they need only look in their own backyard.
The magnitude of Sally Pearson’s comeback to win a world championship last weekend was lost among much of the hype surrounding the Suns and Titans.
The off-field turmoil at the Titans and speculation over the future of coach Neil Henry and star player Jarryd Hayne has grabbed almost all of the headlines over the past week – a fact the Suns are likely to be cheering given it has taken the sting out of that club’s decision to axe Rodney Eade.
Both clubs have underachieved on the field though – and regardless of the rights and wrongs of how things have played out – there’s little doubt players from both clubs have looked someone else to blame for their woes.
A world and Olympic champion, Pearson contemplated retirement after battling a horrific wrist injury followed by hamstring problems that ruled her out of the Rio Games.
Rather than blaming any- one else for her woes, she made the decision to coach herself, determined she would rise of fall on her own merits.
It was a risky move but a calculated one from an experienced athlete.
If she failed, Pearson would have nowhere to hide. She had to accept responsibility for her actions, her efforts and ultimately, her failure or success.
The Suns and Titans obviously can’t coach themselves.
But the players need to take collective responsibility for their journey if they are to turn things around next season.
There are plenty more backroom decisions to come at both clubs in the coming weeks and it could take time for the focus to get back on football.
Once it does, though, the pro players being paid thousands of dollars to do a job, need to take responsibility.
Maybe then, like Sally, they can stand on top of the dais.