When you next consider how or why your team is under-performing in a match, or some one tries to tell you that players and teams are inconsistent nowadays – take a deep breath and consider a few facts.
When they tell you it’s all mental, tell them so is everything else in life – so what’s new about this?
But here is something else to tell them. Sometimes the body affects the mind rather than the reverse. Why do we all feel sick sometimes?
>>Read more from Brian Smith on Smithy Speaks.
While it’s not noticeable in some spheres of endeavour, it’s obviously so when we require near optimal physical and mental and emotional performance.
Take for example the performances of two pretty good NRL sides throughout 2015 so far. No surprise in suggesting the Roosters being one of those – nor so the surprise packet of the season so far for me the Dragons.
What a tough and torrid match that Monday night footy match between the two of them was just over a week ago now. For intensity it was right up there. It was a gripping encounter that went right down to the wire, exhausting all players even in the final seconds.
So how did they perform after that shorter than normal turnaround from Monday night?
On Saturday night the Roosters struggled to reach any where near their best but managed a close win over a depleted Titans team. The handling errors by the Roosters caused those in the commentary box to inquire on a number of occasions.
Execution was way below par. The fine motor skills of catching and passing normally performed so well by the 2013 premiers was eluding them too often.
Meanwhile, the Dragons slid to well below their best in losing to an Eels outfit that has played merely OK in recent weeks. I didn’t think it was through lack of effort or enthusiasm – I thought a feature of the match was the lack of handling and ball control by the Dragons.
Even the rejuvenated and motivated Benji was guilty of some inaccurate passes – some not under a great deal of pressure, much the same as those errant attempts at transferring the ball of the Roosters crew.
These are just a couple of examples of the Monday night curse.
I don’t believe it’s a myth. It certainly doesn’t offer an opportunity for players or coaches to blame something external for performing poorly. It’s real.
Anyone who thinks coaches don’t push even harder to find a way to get their team to meet these extra challenging matches doesn’t understand how coaches’ minds work.
And yet Monday proves to score heavily in the L column for successful teams. The disruption caused by the long wait has been offered as a reason for the record of many teams post Monday night.
But in the end, it’s just bloody difficult to recover and perform well from a tough fixture anytime in fiercely contested matches in a super competitive sport. Short turnarounds take small percentages away from a full recovery. That’s often enough in NRL footy to get you an L.
But before you go away feeling sorry for those poor NRL teams subjected to more Monday night fixtures, then hear this.
My Wakefield Wildcats face Hull on Wednesday night in a mid-week feature at our place and then again on Sunday at their home ground. Yes, that’s right – playing each other with just three days break.
Crazy? You ain’t heard the half of it yet.
Hull have just completed a similar double. Having played competition leaders Leeds Rhinos in a Challenge Cup game last Friday night – a team whom they had already met the previous Sunday away at Leeds in a Super League match.
Four matches in just fourteen days!
Now that’s a challenge of the physical and mental capacity for any footy player and for any club. Could I politely ask that no player, coach or fan set that crazy schedule of matches? If we want to see our stars performing at their best, we need to make sure they have time to rest between games.
Von Neumann
Roar Guru
Wayne Lovell said it best. Its tiresome coming on here to the same brain dead issues. Whingers. The schedule is fine. Just some players want to do less for more in the wrong way - the way that don't make you money
At work
Roar Rookie
I've never heard of or seen such a study, but I would hope that the NRL has or are commissioning such studies so they can make the best decisions possible. Though I would be surprised if this was the case
At work
Roar Rookie
I don't think it sounds harsh, I couldn't care less about player welfare, they (generally speaking) get paid very well to provide a product. As long as they're not being exploited or put in dangerous positions than who am I to worry. Just as you use the electricity example, it's up to the NRL To put forward the best product they can. I just want top quality footy which will bring the biggest crowds and most viewers.
Craig
Guest
Fans complain about players welfare and short turnaround time because it can affect the end product i.e. we get crappy games I've never ended up with crappy electricity because some guy worked 30 days straight but I've seen crappy league games because players are tired.
Jay C
Roar Guru
I like Thursday and Monday. But i work fly in fly out and they're is no alcohol and 0 things to do here.
Wayne Lovell
Roar Guru
Maybe its not the scheduling just the fact it was a hard match, I would say that both the Broncos and Storm were down on form the week after there their match, and as mentioned earlier there was a fair turn around after, I'm tired of hearing how the Broncos get the rub of the Green, that's bollocks, we get it how it should be, if there were less Sydney clubs those clubs would have more Friday night games.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
See. You get it.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
To me, I like one game on Friday night then the rest spread over the weekend. The problem is that this does not suit the broadcaster who gets far more money from night games than for day games. If we need to have another weeknight game, then Monday should be it, not Thursday. Then three games on Saturday and three on Sunday.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Get outta here, ya dumb clients! I'm reading the roar!
SpongeBob
Guest
Shh this is no place for facts. Monday is a ticking time bomb, just wait for it to explode. SOO would put far more toll on the players backing up then simply playing on a Monday night (besides, wouldn't that mean they have more rest the week before? If anything it's an unfair advantage to them that week because they have such a long leadup?)
Johnno
Guest
I don't mind heavy schedules, it pays the bills. But the question/point is with all the TV-Revenue, is there enough money to have 35-40 men full-time squads? If there is, there should be no complaints about demanding schedules! And the other point is people running the game, wouldn't have demanding schedules if it wasn't making any money eg think One-day cricket and it's bloated schedules! There clearly is fan demand or Advertising demand for long-demanding schedules. And I'll add player demand, players want the big cash, they gotta earn it buddy, so to speak! The players Union(it's members which are the players) would be up in arms over a drop in matches, as that would mean a pay cut for them. If anything I can only see the schedule increasing, and if that means 45-50 player squads so be it eg Expansion of World Club Challenge, more Test-Footy, RL 9's etc.
Gurudoright
Guest
Yes they did, but this is the kicker. They played on the previous Friday night, had a 10 day turn around before play on the said Monday night, then had a bye the following weekend. This gave them another 11 day turn around. Broncos definitely get the rub of the green when it comes to scheduling
Bulldog
Guest
Oh - I did not really mean for that comment to be put into that context. No offence Jay - was more referring to dealing with difficult workmates.
parra
Guest
Has anyone studied the impact of soo on the nrl season? Could it be that without origin nrl ratings and crowds would increase enough to offset and possibly overtake the current shedule format? I would base future changes on this basis. Stand alone origin might maintain ratings for soo and increase nrl ratings as it doesnt compete with soo. Not sure if this has been discussed before?
Epiquin
Roar Guru
All I'm trying to say is this: Often we'll see players and/or coaches saying we need to make changes (lets say, fewer games) that would be of personal benefit to the players We will then see the fans echoing these sentiments. For instance, they will say we need fewer games so that players don't get too tired. Now, if the fans in question want fewer games because they think that this will have a positive impact on their enjoyment of the game (for instance, fresher players will play better), then I can understand that. But if these fans are only concerned about the players' happiness, then my question is why? You are a paying consumer of a product, the providers are being suitably compensated for providing said product, why should you care if they want things a little easier. Obviously if the players are being exploited, then it is our responsibility as humans to ensure they are not, but do you think the players are being exploited? That probably sounds really harsh, but the point is that of course the players and coaches want to either a) make their job easier; b) make more money or c) both. I could demand that I only work between 9 and 5 Monday to Friday, but my clients don't care if its 8am and they have a question for me.
Jay C
Roar Guru
I didn't say fans want to watch games live all the time. But i know i would love it if i could switch the tv on at any time and see good quality footy.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Is there a problem with league fans being backward in coming forward on what they want or expect from the game? This site goes into meltdown over scheduling issues, origin timing, internation schedules, relevance of city v country, etc, etc. We're probably due a "this is how the NRL should be re-scheduled" article. It must have been four days since we've had one. I'm not sure I follow on the "fans should ask for whatever they want (paragraph 3)...as long as it's reasonable (paragraph 1)" point you're making.
Madrok
Guest
Jay, if fans wanted football all the time then why are our crowds shtt?
big J
Guest
Barry, exactly right, quality not quantity footy
Epiquin
Roar Guru
What Jay C does to "wind down" is none of our concern. He works hard, he should play hard. ;)