Sam Groth column: AFL players can play a role in crisis by moving to hubs
Sam Groth spent most of his career on the road, living out of suitcases and hotel rooms. And he has a message for the AFL players who are worried about doing it in order to get the season back up and running.
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AFL players – you won’t be the first to do this.
To be away from family and friends for an extended period is nothing new for many sportspeople, me included.
I’ve lived it. For much longer than the proposed 20 weeks for AFL.
Yes, I know this isn’t what footballers “signed up for”. But nothing about this current crisis is – this is not the 2020 we thought it would be.
No one signed up for job lay-offs, potential economic disaster and of course the biggest casualty of all – serious illness and even death for some of the most vulnerable in our community.
But extraordinary times require extraordinary measures, and unfortunately being away from family and friends to maintain the future of the AFL might well be the role they can play.
As a tennis player, I spent around 40 weeks away from my family and friends, for 13 years straight. That’s a lot of weddings, birthday parties, house-warmings and casual dinners missed out on. My wife, Britt, made huge sacrifices for me to play, too. We didn’t have the luxury of her travelling with me for that entire time.
We met in 2011 – after which I played six Australian Opens. She was able to see me play there once, in my last.
That goes for most tennis players – they foot the bill for anyone who travels, not any governing body.
But I knew that was what it would take to pursue my dream of playing grand slams, Olympic Games and Davis Cups for Australia.
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There’d be tennis players around the world who would be willing to chop their left arm off to have an opportunity to be back on the court right now and earning some money.
Unlike their AFL counterparts, many players outside the top tier don’t have the luxury of being “stood down” on reduced pay – it’s no play, no pay. Some have been in the Centrelink queue just like thousands of others.
This is not what AFL players signed up for, but it’s possible to do it, because this is about the end goal.
And it’s hard. I lived in the AIS in the concrete dorm rooms.
The thing that will help them get through it is that they’re all in this together, and if they do this, all of a sudden the game gets back on the road.
The people at the club that they know and love have a job again. The league keeps going, and they’re able to provide entertainment for their members and fans.
Communication will be a big tool for them to get through it, and goal-setting and recognising why they’re doing it. The players are a huge support network.
As much as we had other Australians to talk to while we were away, we’d have to play them, too. It messes with your head, sometimes going days without talking to your closest mate because you’re playing against him in the opening round of a slam.
But there’s a camaraderie to it.
In tennis, the top players are working together to formulate a strategy for how they can directly support their lower-earning opponents. It’s unheard of, but that’s what desperate times has produced.
I’ve even had messages from partners of AFL players lashing me for having “no idea” about the situation.
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Emotions are running high.
I love my footy – I’m a mad Swans fan. I’m right at the front of the queue when it comes to people who want footy back.
I’d love nothing more than to be back cheering on the Swannies as soon as possible, and let’s hope that’s the case.