It’s a cliché that flows liberally from the lips and typewriters of sporting pundits – “Better to retire a year too early than a year too late.” It’s also a theory that’s much easier to espouse than to action.
I had my own penny-drop moment over the weekend, on a festival field as opposed to a sporting one.
It was my eighth Splendour in the Grass festival, and the 90th multi-stage musical event I’ve attended in some capacity or another over the past 20 years. Yes, I’ve kept a running tally. Yes, I need a new hobby.
The festival was a raging success on every conceivable level – logistically, artistically, and no doubt commercially for those involved. Yet as I wandered through the vast North Byron Parklands site, bombarded with uber-hip hype acts and cultural stimuli at every turn, I finally accepted that whatever fire inside me once burned brightest at mainstream music festivals had finally lost its spark.
Seeing Spiderbait struggle to recapture past glories in a turgid main-stage set was strangely poignant. No matter how untouchable you once felt, no matter how hard you deny it, eventually all things must pass.
And so it is with professional sporting careers. For athletes whose entire lives have revolved around that 80-odd minutes every weekend when they transcend the realms of us mere mortals, knowing you’re done before you receive the dreaded tap on the shoulder can’t be easy.
Especially when there are sizeable six-figure salaries at stake, and the small matter of what to do with the rest of your life to contend with.
Take Canberra Raiders skipper Terry Campese, for example. In 2008 and 2010, plus patches of 2009, the guy ducked and weaved his way through opposition defences with such ease that he made semi-regular first graders such as teammate David Milne look like guns.
A few years and as many knee constructions later, Campo has lost his swagger. The running game has been benched, the kicking duties are being shared with a halfback who should never, ever kick in general play, and the vision to put teammates through gaps only sporadically appears.
When that vision appeared against the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Monday night, winger Sami Sauiluma strode through the biggest hole in Canberra this side of the Federal Budget deficit. On the flipside of that, Campese’s yardage stats were a less than impressive one run for two metres.
It’s numbers like this that have had Raiders fans and rugby league pundits, including Steve Turner on this very website, suggesting Campese find himself a nice paddock to graze away his days in since the early rounds of season 2014.
The problem for Canberra fans is that the Raiders’ few wins this year have coincided with Campese hinting at the form of his brief golden era. And even in the games that he’s failed to light up, it’s clear that the fire in his eyes isn’t out.
Terry Campese isn’t the only player in the NRL raging against the dying light – he’s not even the only one at the Canberra Raiders. And I’m part of a rapidly dwindling group of disciples who still think he’s got something to offer his team.
But sometime soon, he’ll accept that the highs of 2008-2010 are gone forever. When he does, I only hope he’s better prepared to fill his footballing void in retirement than I am to fill my festival one.
Tricky Ricky
Guest
Add Ben Creagh to the list.
Vivalasvegan
Guest
Scott Bolton is in rare form!
Charles NSW
Guest
Good comment Andy! When a player gets older you use their talent in a different way . For example you can bring them on to lift up their tempo by having on the bench. Experience you cannot beat it.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Spot on with that list Merritt has been in the decline since a month before his origin debut. Which he only got after souths fans whinged for years Lote tuquiri as well. He was done 2yrs into his tigers career
Alex deLarge
Guest
Scotty, last year you said Mini wasn't in the top 20 NRL fullbacks. Maloney couldn't tackle a "weetbix" and that SBW should be 5/8. Friend was too slow and not the best hooker at the Roosters. You also said that Pearce couldn't organise. So, with a spine so bad according to you, how did the Roosters win the compensation? Or were your much self-heralded player ratings horribly wrong? Heaven forbid the latter!
Alex deLarge
Guest
Scott, last year you said Mini wasn't in the top 20 fullbacks in the NRL. You said that Maloney couldn't tackle a "weetbix" and that SBW should be 5/8. Pearce, you said, couldn't organise and Friend wasn't the top hooker in the club and was too slow. So, with a spine that bad, according to you, how the hell did the Roosters win the comp? Or, even with your 138 parameters, blah, blah, were your ratings wrong? Heaven forbid!
Muzz
Guest
He looked sound in last years GF : ) I'll be surprised if Snakes hammy lasts the season.
james t
Guest
The count has been past it for years now. Bust out the tissues muzz.
Samuel
Guest
Yes but he is way past first grade level. Nearly no pint having him out there. Yes keep him involved in the club, maybe as a halves consultant or a club ambassador, but we can't keep him in the top grade!!
Samuel
Guest
Yeah I still don't know of that would be the reason. I seem to remember the tigers getting caught like 5 times on the last tackle last weekend, with brooks being the instigator. Besides, whether he was caught or not, he still at least looked threatening and created opportunities, something either of our halves have done this year. Haven't seen much NSW cup form, but if he got selected in the residents team, I dare say he couldn't have played that poorly this year. And with the year virtually over, why not give the kid a decent shot?? Look to the future clbecause it is looking pretty poor if we stick to the blokes involved this season. Not many positives to take out of the year, especially with Milford gone
John Hamilton
Guest
Warne, McGrath, Gilchrist? Why do you think we struggled so much after this low retired? JAcques Kallis is another that springs to mind. I'm sure there are others
Ben Southcombe
Roar Rookie
Terry Campese should definitely consider retirement. At least from playing at an NRL level. I read over comments asking why shouldn't he keep running round if he enjoys it? How about the fact that he's close to peerless in regards to those thrilled at how he's running? More to the point, to put Campese and running in the same sentence is a rarity. His running game is just about non existent. And I'm sure it has something to do with those knees of his. Perhaps those limb attachments that are so necessary for forward momentum are trying to tell him something. "Terry! Down here. We, your knees, we got together and had a chat. And, well, how do you put this? You're not cut out to play first grade. We're sorry we aren't as strong as we once were. Please don't be mad. I'm sure Ricky cause use some help coaching. How are you at carrying water bottles?'. In conclusion, Campo has lost it, his knees have spoken.
Lachlan Bickley
Roar Guru
Cornish was dropped for getting caught in posession on the last tackle three times in a row last time he played. His form in NSW actually hasn't been all that great either and he didn't make much impression in the Residents Origin game. All that being said i'd still prefer to see him to the walking dead that is Terry Campese. As for the suggestion above that we should try Reece at fullback this is a horrible idea. Reece has completely lost it and certainly won't be in Canberra next year. People remember him as being great at fullback last year but he really wasn't - that's why he got dropped. He was good for eight games in 2012 when Dugan was hurt. Then like a lot of short term wonders opposition teams figured out his go to moves and his habits and he became ineffective.
The eye
Guest
And I thought Mark has been playing very soundly of late for the Titans as well,disappointed with his game time last week,thought he was injured..because he's been running the ball very dangerously close to the line of late despite Mortimers poor service..
bunger
Guest
Drop a line at the greenhouse forum and fish for thoughts. Campo is Green Machine. He is a Raider. Not a using bastard. I love Campo. He's true green. More like him please.
Muzz
Guest
Scott - Did you see the Chooks fall apart against Cronulla when Mini came off injured? Did you see RTS drop a sitter V the Knights and continues to drop bombs even in warm up? Mini was outstanding V Panthers in gale force winds and continues to be one of the safest 1s under the high ball.The occasional air swing at balls bobbling on the ground are just part of the Mini theatre.You will not see this happen in the finals. Interesting enough though, Stapleton has been on fire for the Bluebags since moving over from Cronulla and i wouldn't be surprised if he becomes back-up if Mini were to go down. RTS shouldn't start as fullback in the finals, he isn't ready!!! I'm hoping the Chooks sign Mini for 2015 and Ferguson can head out to Penrith.
Lachlan Bickley
Roar Guru
So count me among those calling for more time for Cornish although it is worth noting his last appearance was pretty poor and included getting caught with the ball on last tackle three times. My biggest problem right now is Brett White still being picked. Guy has completely lost it and we have the big boy Shannon Boyd desperate for more minutes
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Kris I would have liked to have seen Campo under a top class coach. You can add to your list: Braith Anasta ( I hope he does not come back) Jason King Chris Heighington Fuifui Moimoi Ben Smith Scott Bolton Both Minichiellos Nath Merritt Luke Bailey
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Spot on about Ricky Ponting. He was an embarrassment for his last two seasons summed up by his dismissal by Jacques Kallis at Adelaide Oval when he was bowled after falling flat on his face falling across the line trying to play a straight ball through mid wicket. But I have to disagree with the assessment of Steve Waugh. He was way past his use by date when he retired and was denying opportunities to other middle order batsemen. Agree with an earlier comment by Andy that decisions need to be made for players nearing the end of their careers rather than them waiting for them to politely walk away. Who is going to walk away from a $500,000 or $600,000 a year contract if the alternative is work for the dole? Sometimes decisions need to be made for the good of the team and the club rather than the individual.
Samuel
Guest
Agree 100%. If he finishes the season with a bang then he goes I to next season full of confidence. I do feel though by holding him back, he will refuse to resign and I can guarantee he will get picked up and bite the raiders in the ass yet again!!!