BRAD JOHNSON: Coaches may not prize NAB win, but mindset is the key

Last week I read about Brenton Sanderson’s intent to rest a number of star players for the opening rounds of the NAB Cup. It’s got me thinking about how different clubs approach the pre-season competition.

At Adelaide, Sanderson’s 10 best players aren’t taking part, at least in the early stages.

St Kilda coach Scott Watters is obviously of the same mind, saying in a recent press conference that winning the NAB Cup was not part of his agenda.

It is interesting to consider what effect this will have on the mindset of the players. In part I agree – I am certainly all for fielding the first- and second-year players in the first round, especially those who are yet to have any senior experience.

It’s good for the coaches, to see how those guys handle quality competition and opponents, and it’s good for the players, to get some of their nerves about senior games out of the way, and give them more of a taste of that higher level.

It also gives them a chance to push for a game in the home and away season, even a Round 1 game if they take that chance.

That said, these young players must be introduced with some quality around them. Geelong nailed this balance in their weekend games against West Coast and Fremantle.

The young players had an impact, but had a good mix of senior players in blue hoops to look to for support.

It was especially highlighted in game one against West Coast, when the smarts of Jimmy Bartel and captain Joel Selwood combined to orchestrate a supergoal and clinch a last-minute victory. Bartel may have been disguised as a youngster, wearing Josh Walker’s 42 jersey, but with the young players having done their part it was down to the leaders to supply the poise and experience to finish it off.

As a player at the Western Bulldogs, I know that we were always so keen to get the first game under our belts. After a long hot summer belting into your team mates, it was great to face an opponent and not have to hold back.

Senior players will not play every pre-season game, and will usually rest if the club has a long interstate trip. That first home game, though, is an opportunity for all senior players to get the wheels turning for the season ahead.

For coaches in this situation, the message has to be smart, especially if you know deep down that you are not out there trying to win the comp. Without that clear goal as a driving motivation, you still have to sell the importance of effort to every player.

You have to make it clear to your team that you are looking for the right blend of youth and experience to take the team forward. You don’t want to emphasise that you are not interested in winning the competition ahead of you.

If you do overstate this, it means that players have an out when it comes to giving full commitment, and the interest of the fans can quickly dissipate.

You do wonder if fans really care about winning at this time of year, or if they’re waiting for the main season to start. It must be conflicting.

No doubt they’re glad that games are underway. On one hand they would want to see their stars in these games, on the other they would probably enjoy meeting some stars of the future. I’m sure they also have an eye on Round 1 and want the best, fittest, and best-prepared team to run out then.

But even though fans know that the pre-season is about training and preparation, you can’t tell me there would be any group of supporters that wouldn’t prefer to be winning. To some, the result can be really significant.

Geelong’s NAB Cup win in 2006, for instance, definitely meant a lot after a string of losses in pre-season and regular season grand finals stretching back to 1963. To their fans, it was a psychological breakthrough and a good omen. Even though Geelong didn’t have the greatest 2006, we all know how they began to dominate in 2007.

Attitude to pre-season comps depends a lot on where the team is in terms of development, and if they see themselves pushing for the finals in the home-and-away season.

All clubs have an eye on Round 1, but for some, performing well will be more important to instill some confidence into their team, especially if it’s a young side.

And it’s not just about the on-field benefits. Performing can raise expectations among the public, and be an important part of boosting early memberships. The feel-good nature of winning is infectious, and that’s a reason for coaches to carefully consider how they put their points across.

At the end of the day, once players take the field they click back into their game-day zone. We see Bartel’s hands and vision, we see Selwood running hard to position, calling for possession, and sealing victory with a super goal. Competitive instincts take over, regardless of what the coaches may or may not have been arguing.

With nine teams to play next week, I’ll wait with interest to see how the remaining coaches approach their games, where they put their focus, and how this will ultimately affect the mindset of their players.