Testy time for men at helm

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  • Schneidergirl
    On the Rookie List
    • Aug 2003
    • 468

    Testy time for men at helm



    Testy time for men at helm
    By Nikki Tugwell
    May 19, 2004

    FORM slumps don't build a football club's character, they expose it, according to Hawthorn coach Peter Schwab.

    Paul Roos with the Swans, Danny Frawley with Richmond and Mick Malthouse at Collingwood could all relate to Schwab's theory at different times this season.

    Schwab notes that much is revealed about a club in down times. And the same could apply to the four coaches and their responses to adversity.

    "You've either got it or you haven't," Schwab said yesterday. "And I think under adversity, that is true.

    "People believe that football builds character. I just think it exposes character. It exposes who is prepared to work through it and fight through it."

    The pressure of six consecutive losses reached boiling point last week for Schwab and Hawthorn, as it did a fortnight prior for Frawley. It culminated in Schwab fighting back tears as he defended the tradition of the club.

    The players at Hawthorn, who take on Sydney at the SCG on Sunday, initiated motivational, team-bonding training sessions before "winning ugly" against Fremantle.

    "If you have been down in form like we had, you don't all of a sudden expect to play outstanding football. It just has to come through sheer hard work," Schwab said.

    "There was nothing fancy or pretty about the footy. And we got the result, which does give you some confidence. I'm sure Sydney are thinking along similar lines to that now."

    The Swans have lost four consecutive games for the first time since midway through the 2002 season.

    Roos has remained lighthearted in the face of disappointment and growing adversity. He decided that laughter was the best medicine when confronted with a large "bad news is good news" media throng on Monday. He joked: "Am I sacked? The board hasn't told me yet."

    When asked whether the Swans would wield the axe at the selection table, he kidded: "Well, we were going to axe Goodesy, but he's injured."

    When asked about the mood of the camp this week, the serious Roos emerged.

    "Your whole week as a football player or coach relies on whether you win or lose," Roos said. "Black and white. End of story. Even when you are playing good footy, which may be the case, at some stage you have to be judged on whether you win or lose."

    Frawley was edgy before a ball was bounced this season and the Richmond coach has lost his patience more than once amid intense criticism. But his heart-on-sleeve demeanour has endeared him to many and the rollercoaster ride now has the Tigers flying with three successive wins.

    Malthouse has ridden the biggest dipper of them all, from grand finalist to rock bottom, without changing expression. Malthouse has been stern but almost emotionless, refusing to accept losses as gallant or injuries as excuses.

    The Daily Telegraph
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