It’s a complete mystery why Ben Barba, Nick Kyrgios, and Glenn Maxwell so consistently abuse their superb God-given natural talents.
On their day they have fans on their feet with their skills. But when they abuse their talent, fans share deep disappointment to the pit of their stomachs.
Don’t Barba (27), Kyrgios (21), and Maxwell (28) ever think of what jobs they would be doing if rugby league, tennis, and cricket deserted them?
All three are on serious money, but would only earn a mere fraction in 9-5 jobs outside sport.
But the penny doesn’t drop.
Barba was on the highest of highs after the Sharks won their first NRL premiership, ending a 50-year drought.
The euphoria in the Shire, the celebrations, and the idolatry would be more than enough for any normal bloke, but Barba had to have a crack at cocaine, despite a general warning by the NRL there would be drug testing in non-competition periods.
By testing positive, Barba had his contract torn up, he faces a 12-match ban next season, he’s in Thailand undergoing rehab but his partner Ainslie Currie and their four kids aren’t with him.
Why did he do it, why risk his career?
Is Barba just plain bloody stupid, or is he an addict?
If it’s the latter, the Sharks have a duty of care and everything must be done with support to get him on the straight and narrow.
Nick Kyrgios is far harder to understand.
He is Slam potential, which is reserved for the elite few.
His rapid rise to number 13 in the world is because of that potential in beating the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Richard Gasquet, and David Goffin.
So why does he blatantly tank matches, where’s his pride? Why does he foul mouth opponents, or someone in the crowd?
Is he just plain bloody stupid, or is there a serious flaw in his mentality?
Countless times he’s threatened to give tennis away and concentrate on his other love of basketball. If he thinks, for one fleeting moment, basketball would welcome such a loose cannon, he’s delusional as well.
His future is in the hands of Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt, and the new world number one Andy Murray, who both strongly believe in him.
If he doesn’t listen to them, his future in tennis won’t see out next year.
Glenn Maxwell must get his priorities right.
He has as much natural batting ability as Steve Smith, David Warner and Usman Khawaja, but not the brains to go with it.
Maxwell’s main aim is to please the crowds that flock to see him in the hope he tees off, which is about one in five or six.
Forget the crowd, they will never be in a position to pick him him in Tests, ODs, or T20 sides.
Once Maxwell concentrates on playing every ball on its merits and stop trying to be an occasional crowd-leasing cowboy, the real Glenn Maxwell will surface for the benefit of Australian cricket and the crowds who want to see him in powerful action more often.
If he doesn’t get the message he will remain in the too bloody stupid category, which would be a tragic waste of natural talent.
It’s worth repeating,the future of these three wonderfully gifted sportsmen is in the balance,
Fingers crossed they all realise their potential.
Mark
Guest
Barba has lost an $850,000 annual salary and god only knows how much in sponsorship. No consequences ?
Lachie
Guest
Glenn Maxwell hasn't been given the opportunity to perform at test level. He has three tests all in the sub-continent where few Australians have thrived. He has an average close in the low 40's in first class cricket, is the best fielder in the country and bowls handy off-spin.He averaged in excess of 50 last year in first class cricket and close to that the year before. Mitch Marsh has a first class, not test, first class average of 29, and he is the number six batsman. In tests, he averages 23. That surely isn't test match worthy. Mitchell Johnson averaged 22, and he wasn't classed as a genuine all-rounder. Maxwell would almost certainly provide a better return with that. To lump Maxwell in with Ben Barba and Nick Kyrgios is a stretch, considering the nature of their troubles.
Marcus
Guest
To group Maxwell with the other two is ridiculous and yet another example of this writer's tendency towards personal attacks. Surprised Michael Clarke and Adam Scott weren't also included for another gratuitous pot shot. To continue with the personal theme, this writer's bio describes him as one of the pre-eminent voices in Australian sport. Then lists some involvement in player management in the 1970s and 1980s. Awesome credentials! Self praise is no recommendation.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
They did but Maxwell isnt a mainstay or one of the greater players. He also hasnt realised his potential
Albo
Guest
Sorry David ! But I can't have Maxwell even listed as a talented athlete like the other two. He is nothing but a backyard tonker. 6 or out is his game. Has only one possible team position , and that is as a risky 20/20 proposition or for marketing to the cricket "deplorables" ! And right now they wont take the risk on him ! He has no other attributes for the longer form of the game. As for the other two they have the athletic talent but both are too immature at this stage to be worthy propositions in their sports. Both need extensive psychological assistance before they will become serious sportsmen.
Front Row Dark Arts
Guest
We get it David. You don't rate Glenn Maxwell. But then you lump him in with the other two - both who have repeatedly transgressed their sports' behaviour codes and indulged in generally anti-social, if not illegal actions. Remind me - where has Glenn Maxwell crossed the line of acceptable behaviour, either on or off the field? I'd argue that Barba and Kyrgios have not 'abused their talent' at all - both have had very successful careers. Being a dickhead doesn't mean you can't be a top-shelf athlete. We could all name plenty of athletes who were definitely the former while excelling at their sports.
anon
Guest
Maxwell has a 42 average in first class cricket. He's only played 3 tests. If Maxwell was given as many opportunities as the Marsh brothers he would have likely shown he can play at test level.
Rob
Guest
Did this apply to Warne and Clarke Australian team. They certainly annoyed plenty of team mates with ego.
Perry Bridge
Guest
#Vincent Hugh Agreed - 2 rotten apples and a peach.
Costas
Guest
No, Maxwell isn't in the team because his teammates dont' consider him a team player. Apparently they exist to be part of Glenn Maxwells team, not the Australian team
richo
Guest
you are consistently the most ill informed and disgraceful contributers to the Roar. Glen Maxwell is a fine man who works very hard and doesnt deserve your hate filled article.
Rob
Guest
I understand you are impling these 3 pro sportmen have been given gifts that make them very talented at their chossen sport but they are different people with vastly different problems. Firstly Kyrgios is a spoilt little brat between the ears. Probably because he has never been kicked up the backside. Barba is someone that has been burden with a tough up bringing and unfortunately he gravitates towards the lower social end with a tendence to make poor choices when intoxicated. Maxwell's problem is with others who find his over confidence, arrogant. Other people have nick named him the Big Show because he can do extrodinary strokes. Viv Richards, Ian Botham, Dennis Lillee, Warner, Warne, Thompson, Kohli and Virender Sehwag could all be classed as arogant. David did you watch Steve Smith's dissmisal in SL when he was stumped? Then the LBW against SA? Both when his team was on top, only to be then smashed? They all need a good mentor. Maxwell probably needs to play for NSW like Lyon, Watson, Hauritz and McGill did.
Reality Checker
Guest
Cronulla should be stripped of the premiership and it handed over to the Storm. This is what the records will look like in the future Cronulla Sharks Premiers 2016 "*"
TomCarter'ssprintcoach
Guest
Pretty sure he was at least in the T20 team, and was player of the last series it played...
Oingo Boingo
Guest
Yes look at TRUMP ....it's a great day for mankind .
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Guys like this won't learn because there is no consequences and no accountability. As long as teams need good players, they always get a second chance. As long as they win matches, the other stuff doesn't matter. Just look at Trump.
David Lord
Expert
Glenn Maxwell isn't in any of Australia's three format teams for the very reason I've written, he consistently abuses his superb God-given natural talent making him too much of a liability loose cannon to warrant selection. He's no different to Ben Barba and Nick Kyrgios in that abuse, even if he's very different for other reasons like testing positive for cocaine, tanking, or a foul mouth. Maxwell would be among the first picked in all three formats if he played every ball on its merits, using his extreme power whenever possible, and canning the reverse sweep, and the small percentage ramp shots. He would always be an excitement machine to watch playing percentage cricket, and more importantly would score a lot more runs instead of risking his innings with cowboy shots.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Besides, Kyrgios makes watching tennis fun, he is like the Happy Gilmore of Tennis, it's his career, why are we so invested in him, when even if he does get himself sorted out but loses with grace no one will care about him. But boy does he get his sponsors media coverage when he acts like a muppet! Great Theatre
Andrew
Guest
I agree - Maxwell is not in the same breath as these two. Tomic and Kyrgios are in a different league.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Bit harsh to allocate Maxwell in with the other 2. If you are going to target Maxwell, why not Mitch Marsh, Shane Watson and so many others who have definately had potential, just didnt or havent lived up to it.