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I know what most you who are reading this are probably thinking. Why would anyone want that pretty-boy show-pony at their NRL club?
For the record, I support the Cowboys and the first thing I would do when James O’Connor turned up is making him defend against a rampaging Matt Scott and James Tamou.
Next task? Making him tackle a fired up Tariq Sims and Jason Taumalolo.
You’re probably thinking this to help get use to defence in league, right? Wrong.
It would be to put him in his place. Also any minor stepping out of line and there will be plenty more where that came from.
In truth it’s not the first task I would make him do. The first task I would actually make him do is shave his head.
Wayne Bennett once said to the Cowboys’ recently departed Kalifa Faifai Loa during his early days at the Dragons either get a hair cut, or you won’t be playing first grade.
It’s the kind of tough love O’Connor needs.
I remember watching a Melbourne Storm game in which Cameron Smith had very short shaved hair. Apparently as punishment for arriving slightly late to training he had to dye his hair blond.
A light hearted and appropriate way to deal with a minor offence, from one of league’s ultimate professionals in Craig Bellamy.
Key word; professional.
Come game day there was no ridiculous blond hair to be seen, it was all business.
Compare that to the story of how a cocky O’Connor rocked up to a cross training session between the Melbourne Storm and Melbourne Rebels with a ridiculous hair cut that included a ponytail.
Apparently the Storm players were shocked. By the training session most of them want to rip the stupid ponytail off the little smart arse’s head.
Hardly professional.
Not that your hair affects how you play. If fact many in the NRL appear to spend far too much time and gel getting their hair just right for games.
There is nothing wrong with that, if they have the right attitude and priorities.
So after hearing stories like this amidst stories about late night takeaway and being inexcusably drunk during tours, why do I want him at my club?
Besides the fact he is oozing with ridiculous amounts of natural talent and that his attacking flair would thrive in league, it’s simple.
I believe, in the right environment, he can change.
After the 2010 Four Nations Tour final, which Brent Tate was famously seen crying on national television after yet another injury, the Cowboys drew criticism from some parts for signing an injury prone, ageing centre.
Wayne Bennett, an avid supporter of Tate, pointed out even when Tate wasn’t playing he would be positive influence for the Cowboys, as when the other players saw how hard Tate worked and trained it would rub off on the younger players.
Its exactly the kind of role model O’Connor needs.
Tate’s attitude was one of the reasons they signed him. After a disastrous year in 2010, then-coach Neil Henry spoke about signing players to bring the right culture to the club.
Players such as Tate and the now-retired Dallas Johnson.
Of course signing O’Connor would contradict that, however, given the Cowboys have now made the finals three years in a row for the first time in their history, clearly they are building the right culture.
They could cope with one wild child.
Townsville itself would be a positive in trying to keep him on the straight and narrow. There is less temptation as there are far as pubs and clubs to go to.
Moreover, if he goes out inappropriately in the small city of Townsville, it would soon reach the Cowboys’ ears.
Added bonus, there’s no international airport, so no midyear trips to Bali either.
That’s not to say O’Connor needs a ball and chain or a complete alcohol ban. Complete alcohol bands at clubs are rubbish. Treat men like men, boys like boys.
There is nothing wrong with having a few drinks at the right time or even a few too many when appropriate, as long as the player knows when enough is enough and how to behave.
On complete alcohol bans at clubs, they are the most ludicrous thing I have ever heard of. Why shouldn’t blokes like Gavin Cooper or Matt Scott have a couple of beers every now and then?
I like the Cowboys’ current system that allows players to socialize and drink when appropriate and in moderation. I hope they don’t become too strict under Paul Green.
That’s not to say O’Connor should be given free rein. If he signed, I would want him on at least a two year deal, but an option in the club’s favour to terminate the deal should O’Connor stray off field.
Perhaps they could call it the ‘don’t be a dickhead’ clause.
Also, a clause that says under no condition is he to take up boxing. I can’t stand football players degrading boxing by having a professional bout against some deadbeat.
Or maybe a clause that says if does, he has to fight it has to be against an actual boxer not some unfit pub brawler…maybe Damien Hooper would be interested?
Better yet, if the club has to terminate O’Connor’s contract, he has to fight a topline boxer. God forbid anything happen to the pretty boy’s face.
Much like O’Connor, Jonathan Thurston had a checkered past off the field, culminating in the Australian five-eighth being arrested drunk in 2010 and threatened with being stripped of the captaincy.
Over the past few years however, he has been nothing but a model player off the field.
Clearly players can change.
After the Cowboys’ controversial exit from the 2012 finals, many of the player were out in town drinking upon their return to Townsville.
Despite the fact that Thurston had clearly enjoyed a few, he still happily greeted and spoke to the endless crowd of fans and conducted himself flawlessly.
It’s the sort of behaviour O’Connor will need to learn.
His signing, however unlikely it may be, would have to be at the right price. His signing would also no doubt be met with criticism from supports and fans of other teams alike.
But staying out of trouble off the field and strong performances on it would soon silence the critics.
Besides, despite the large amount of baggage that comes with O’Connor, he has never done anything seriously wrong such high range drink driving or assaulting someone.
In this regard he’s similar to another controversial signing for the Cowboys, Willie Mason, who never did anything seriously wrong and in time earned the respect of Cowboys’ fans.
On the field O’Connor would be suited to either fullback or as a wide-running five-eighth.
Given the options the Cowboys have for the halves and the departure of Matt Bowen, I would play him at fullback.
His greatest strength is his running game, however his ball playing and kicking would still be utilized.
Moreover it would hide him in defence.
As to the probability of O’Connor signing with Cowboys, it’s more likely Paul Green will return to the playing field next year.
I give the Bulldogs a slight chance of signing him, but I’m doubtful it will happen.
Still, stranger things have happened in football.
If the Cowboys were to sign him I believe, in time, O’Connor could change.
Much like Jonathan Thurston he could grow up and then survive and thrive in league.
And that’s why I want James O’Connor at my club.
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