Is this the reason the Crows bounced back on Friday and why Port will respond this weekend?

WHEN the blowtorch turns on a club after a poor performance, a response often follows. So why don’t clubs attempt to use this principle to motivate their players, asks Crows dual premiership skipper Mark Bickley.

Taylor Walker of the Crows celebrates kicking a goal against Sydney. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

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SOMEONE once told me about “The HARD / EASY Principle”.

It went something like this: You would write the words “hard” and “easy” on your hand, and during your training and preparation every time you looked at those words you asked yourself is this HARD or EASY? If the answer was always hard, it was a sign that you were always pushing yourself, challenging, striving to get better.

If the answer was often easy then you were comfortable, safe, coasting, and if you didn’t make it hard for yourself then someone was about to make it hard for you.

Is there any truth or relevance in this for the weekly AFL cycle?

Crows players celebrate a goal in their impressive win at the SCG on Friday. Picture: Brett Hemmings/AFL Media/Getty Images

The tendency this year that been for teams that have a very poor game, where they lose against a side they are expected to beat, or get absolutely belted by a better team. They get the blowtorch put on them by the media and supporters like never before. Dissected by the plethora of Monday night footy shows, dedicated websites and social media. Effectively life gets HARD.

What often happens next is greater self-reflection, a more searching review by the coaches leading to improved attention and focus in your preparation and training before your next game.

Which is often a much improved performance described as a “RESPONSE”.

The flip side of course is the nice feeling you get from a good win, or an honourable loss (for some of the lower ranked teams) that enables you to go about your business minus the intense scrutiny and public discussion. At times like this, football seems pretty EASY and comfortable. Often this feeling precedes the games when the team, “JUST DIDN’T TURN UP TO PLAY”.

So how do teams fix this boom/bust cycle? The answer would appear simple, if a loss brings

scrutiny and uncomfortableness in the coaches review and on the training track, then why not do the same when you win? Be really tough on the players, don’t let them feel comfortable, keep them on edge.

In theory it appears to make sense but in reality it makes none at all. It is just not sustainable, not from nine-to-five, six days a week for 22 games and finals.

Players are already stressed and suffer more anxiety and pressures than at any other period in the history of the game. The enjoyment for players has been slowly eroded over the years since the game has gone full time, and clubs are now looking for more ways to put it back into the player’s week not take it out.

Power coach Ken Hinkley shows his disappointment after losing to Geelong on Saturday. Picture: AAP

What coaches are really looking for is consistency. Consistency of effort, consistency of

execution, which in turn brings consistency of performance.

So let’s work backwards, what drives consistency? Training standards have long been the mantra of every coach worth his salt, no matter what level.

AFL teams are no different. Obviously every club has standards but what do they look like? who polices and maintains them? And how often are they challenged?

One of the messages that the late Phillip Walsh brought to Adelaide that resonated strongly with the playing group was his elite standards mantra. Challenging them not to be just good in their preparation to play but elite.

One suspects that Taylor Walker and his leadership group are still driving that message today, as they have over the past few years been one of the most consistent teams in the competition.

For young players new to the AFL system the step up in accountability for everything you do from training, to preparation for games, to injury rehab can be a real struggle and take some time to adjust. Hence the almost direct correlation between age and consistency.

So using the HARD / EASY principle expect Port Adelaide to respond with a win this week after two below-par performances. They take on North Melbourne, a team who were touted as wooden spooners and after a stirring victory over Hawthorn last week are placed in the top four on the ladder and could quite rightly feel satisfied with their first five rounds.

Adelaide experienced a tough week leading up to an emotional win and should be working hard this week not to take anything for granted. Particularly with a number of youngsters in the squad, who had the best win of their short careers It will be very difficult for them to let go of last week and focus on the upcoming challenge of the Gold Coast Suns.

Maintaining the standards around the club this week should be high on everyone’s agenda.