Team that copes best with Grand Final pressure will be premiers, says James Hird

THE pressure of Grand Final day will be like nothing any Richmond or Adelaide player has ever experienced, writes JAMES HIRD. Who will handle the heat?

Richmond captain Trent Cotchin. Picture: Michael Klein

“HIRDY, you will have to live with that performance for the rest of your life.”

Those were the words Kevin Sheedy spoke to me in front of the team 40 minutes after we had lost the 2001 Grand Final to the Brisbane Lions.

The words stung more than any knock I had received that day and they would hurt for a long time to come.

TIGERS v CROWS: WEIRDEST GRAND FINAL BETS

1-44: JON RALPH RATES EVERY GRAND FINAL PLAYER

Sheeds’ comments were warranted.

I was well beaten by Brad Scott and I have often contrasted that day with the other two Grand Finals in which I played for Essendon.

Football experts will talk all week about the pressure of a Grand Final. The difference in the speed of the game, the bigger hits, the consequence of wining and losing.

Trent Cotchin will lead Richmond out for its first Grand Final in 35 years. Picture: Michael Klein

Personally, I found the Grand Finals were more intense, more mistakes were made and the noise was greater.

But once the first 20 minutes had been played, most of the players had adjusted to the increase in speed and the game was mostly the same.

What wasn’t the same was the build-up — the days before and the thoughts that went through my head.

In West Lakes and at Punt Rd, every player will be thinking about “what if?” scenarios.

Those that can slow their brains down and think about the important things and remove unimportant, negative thoughts will be the best performers at the MCG tomorrow.

In 2001 I carried a small groin strain into the game. Nothing that should have stopped me playing to a high level, but I remember not being able to clear my head of the injury.

Instead of thinking about the game, about taking on my opponent, about relishing the contest as I had in 2000, all I could think was, ‘What if I fail. What if I can’t run flat out, what if I can’t do everything I need to?’.

In hindsight, the game and the consequence and the “what if?” thoughts beat me before I even started.

This was all about pressure. The pressure that comes with playing in the biggest game of the year; the game that you have dreamt about all your life.

James Hird loses his cool with Chris Scott in the 2001 Grand Final.

James Hird celebrates with the 2000 premiership cup.

Strangely for me, it got to me after I had won two premierships and performed well in both.

In the 2000 Grand Final I based my game on three basic principles.

I wanted to be on the move the whole game, not allowing my opponent any time to relax or get himself set. I never wanted to allow them a chance to feel comfortable.

Secondly, I wanted to attack every contest with maximum intensity, strong through the ball and back my hands that I would not fumble. By using my instincts when the ball was around, I made a decision to never second-guess myself.

Thirdly, I wanted to always give the ball to a teammate in a better position, be fast in thought, sure in delivery and, if in doubt, gain ground.

The game has changed considerably since I played in a Grand Final. You will note nowhere in my plan was anything to do with defence and this would definitely not be acceptable in 2017.

Alex Rance and Taylor Walker will play key roles on Saturday. Picture: Sarah Reed

For the 44 players playing on Saturday the best way to combat the negative thoughts, to bring the brain back to the task at hand, is to have a simple plan.

Both teams will have their overall game plan but each player must have a simple structure that can bring them back to focusing on the moment, not the “what ifs”.

Writing these down early in the week is a great way to teach the brain to think about positive thoughts and actions that will help you to be successful.

I can guarantee that every player will be as nervous as they have been in their life, most will not sleep, some will vomit. But having a plan and knowing how to put it into action will allow them to adapt to the pressure of game day.

When the ball is bounced this Saturday, bodies will fly everywhere, players will hit and attack each other and the ball as hard as they can, sparks will fly and the game will feel like it is moving at 100 miles an hour.

The team that gets back to doing their jobs, playing their roles and sticking to their plan will most likely conquer the pressure best and emerge victorious on footy’s greatest day.