Do the likes of Dave Taylor know what a privileged position they are in? Do NRL players realise they are role models to people in their community?
Are they aware they are in a job that is essentially a hobby?
Dave Taylor being stood down by the Gold Coast Titans just a month into the season after being released from Souths would suggest that he only cares about one person.
If he was serious about his career he would be the most damaging forward in the game.
The fact he was dropped from the Queensland side due to form and ‘falling out of bed’ shows he is playing for the money.
Michael Maguire is proving to be a good judge of character, and it didn’t take long for ‘Madge’ to boot him.
Surely his “desire to return to Queensland” would have resulted in him buckling down and busting his gut to get back into representative sides.
He has only played on the bench this season, while guys like Ben Ridge squeeze every ounce of talent they have in them through heart and courage.
It must be frustrating for his team mates who know how good he can be.
I also read Jamie Soward’s comments about “not being able to have an opinion because you didn’t play the game” with great interest over the past few weeks.
I am not a Jamie Soward fan.
I don’t know him personally so it would be wrong of me to judge his character but what I don’t like is the attitude.
He plays as if the whole world is against him. If you look at the likes of Darren Lockyer, Brad Fittler they were almost emotionless on a football field.
To be an elite player you need to have thick skin and be able to handle criticism.
Soward appears to be someone who is easy to get under the skin of.
Perhaps he needs to develop a thicker hide? It does him no favours when he carries on like a pork chop not only on the field but in the media.
Telling journalists or fans they don’t have an opinion because they didn’t play the game is just farcical.
Fans buy their tickets, merchandise, membership to support the clubs and that gives them the right their opinion.
Having sat in the press box at several games in the last year I have come to learn that sports journalists have some of the best minds in the business.
They follow the game for years and are fans themselves.
Journalists earn the right to have their opinion through spending years of training at a tertiary level and then even more years doing their ‘apprenticeship’.
They work hard to get to the top of their industry and by the time they get to a level where they can have their opinion they have an astute understanding of the game.
Keep in mind they also have the statistics and resources to back up any opinion they have.
As someone who played rugby league purely because he was addicted to it I hate seeing players who have talent but don’t work hard enough to utilise it.
Craig Bellamy sends any new players to his club to a construction site for two weeks for them to learn about ‘the real world’ and hard work.
You only need to look at how well the team plays every week when they know what the alternative is if you stuff up a professional football career.
I think that concept is something the NRL should adopt as a policy for all players coming into first grade, and possibly even for the likes of Josh Dugan and Todd Carney who have a stuff up along the way.
mushi
Roar Guru
On the "easy" front it depends how you look at it I think Brett was coming from the angle that he would have played footy and his highest possible level regardless of the money so basically it being his job resulted in no extra effort.
Australian Rules
Guest
From what I've heard of Taylor, walnuts would take offence to that.
Michael Waldron
Roar Rookie
Taylor has always had attitude problems, it was clear when he was at the Broncos.
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
All true Rod, but then you factor in that he has a walnut sized brain(have you heard the guy speak?) and it undermines any skills and talents he has.
Mals
Guest
"The Broncos are busting their guts out on the field every week, that is good enough for me" Oikee - is that why you now support the Cowboys!?!?! hehe
Rod
Guest
Oikee, Taylor if he committed himself, to being the best he could be. He would be about the best player in the game, he is fast, he has all the skills, he is huge and probably the strongest guy playing the game. there is nothing the bloke can't do. If he played with the passion of a JT or a Gorden Tallis. He would be awesome. As a Bunnies fan, we saw the good, the bad and the ugly. So i,m glad we have Teo because he brings a consistent performance week in and week out.
Robert
Guest
Love the"fell out of bed" excuse.Wonder what his wife thought of it -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Sleemo
Guest
To paraphrase what Brett Kimmorley said on NRL 360 last night: "Being an NRL player is a great job...it's easy, the easiest job in the world". I don't entirely agree with the "easiest job in the world" part but blokes getting paid to have fun with their mates on a weekly basis, playing for two hours a week and training for about 20, sounds pretty good to me when you consider the coin that all of the full-time professionals are on...especially Dave Taylor and his salary.
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
The moment which best defines Dave Taylor as a player for me, was game 2 of origin last year. Brett Stewart fluffed a kick return and knocked on in goal, the ball was loose, Dave Taylor was in range to touch the ball and score a try. He tries to pick it up and knocks it on. You could see Inglis murdering him with his eyes. I don't know what Inglis said to him, but it looked pretty colourful.
Johnno
Guest
Agreed oikee put the kettle on mate, I'd like a cuppa.
Harry Ramage
Guest
I do acknowledge it is a tough industry and that they deserve every cent they earn. But 99% of them are playing because their dreams have come true. How many people can say they hve their dream job? They are in a privileged position that so many people missed out on. From a fans point of view it sucks when you see a player who is on good money like Dave Taylor and his attitude isn't up to scratch
oikee
Guest
Agree Johnno, it is stressful enough without everyone having a dig at these players every second week because they dont add up to their own standards. Dave Taylor is not a super hero, he is a big lumbering giant who gets fatiqued very quickly. Jamie Soward is the best he can be, he is never going to be better than his best, which is what we see every week. I think we all expect to much from some players. The Broncos are busting their guts out on the field every week, that is good enough for me, i dont see any superstars. Half a game Hodges is about our best player, and that is a week by week proposition. It is why we love watching the Slater's Inglises, the Sonny Bills and the Barba's, because they are a class above the rest. Jamie and Dave Taylor are good solid players. Once you can get your head around and admit that, then you can except that they do their best for their team. They cant perform miracles.
Johnno
Guest
I feel for the modern day player, and they shouldn't take things for granted, but. They if they want to stay at that level, have to work very hard, and in a very physically gruelling sport. Some get paid well but they have to work hard, no free lunches. So I do feel sorry for them and the pressure they are under, earning a living in the NRL is not an easy job, it's a stressful job. You have to worry about if your a halfback, your kicking game, organising your defence,having hard training sessions in the gym, talking to the media occasionally, you have to be a role model, so any misbehaving gets more punished than say a cabbie or postal worker, or if you manage your local delicatessen. It can be stressful too if you go out on the town , all these beautiful impressionable women, sometimes well not throw themselves at you but many seem excited by sports stars, that can be daunting being popular with the ladies everywhere you go , being asked out on dates and all sorts of social requests. And also don't forget the NRL is weekend work. You have to give up your friday night a lot, or your whole weekend to prepare and play in matches, while your mates are relaxing or going out having fun and enjoying life. Tough job earning a living in the NRL, my hat goes off to the young lads, who can cope with having to work hard.