Jack Riewoldt [Merged]

[tigerman]

Didn't Collins cop a right cross from Cousins at the after match?

I though it was Connors.

 

[MD Jazz]

Jeez it would take a complete lack of empathy and a pretty ordinary person to not feel down right terrible about having all that while your partner is dealing with one of the most difficult periods in their lives with minimal support.

Jeez just trying to look at a bit differently. I suppose these days any sort of humour like this is now frowned upon. I forgot all facets of life must now be taken with the utmost seriousness. Anything else means you must not love your wife children etc.

 

[22nd Man]

I though it was Connors.

Yes you are right. We had to dump coonors to keep Dusty on the straight and narrow.

 

[AngryAnt]

I forgot all facets of life must now be taken with the utmost seriousness.

Especially golf

 

[MD Jazz]

I watched both the guys on AFL 360 last night and I felt sorry them.

They are clearly in a tough position mentally, but I think it is as much to do with the lifestyles they lead as anything else.

Successful professional sportspeople and AFL players in particular, lead the most amazing lives you can imagine. Yes there are sacrifices, physical demands, pressure, scrutiny and other drawbacks, but by and large they are very, very comfortable.

Guys like Jack that are 30 odd year old young fathers have lived very easy lives in comparison to most and whilst they are resilient in physical matters they are highly immature, inexperienced and disconnected when it comes to the difficulties in life that most people face.

When you are in that boat being away from your family for 30 odd days becomes a big deal when the reality is, it isn't. In the grand scheme of life, even with a pandemic, it is a very minor inconvenience, very manageable and a tiny piece of hardship compared to the perks of the lifestyle.

I've lived on the periphery of professional sport for almost 20 years now. Putting aside the financial rewards, which are huge, the other fringe benefits alone are remarkable.

I haven't paid for almost any clothes in that time for me and often my family, I've driven new cars for the past 10 years without ever paying a cent in purchase or running costs, never paid a phone bill, my work days involve at least two free meals and usually the opportunity to take meals home at the end of the day and my work days and hours are intense but much shorter than most.

If I don't drop my kids off at school I can pick them up most times, I've had access to all sorts of concerts, sporting events, golf courses, restaurants and other cool stuff all over the world and almost never paid a cent.

I'm not saying that stuff to big note or be a flog, I'm saying that if that is my life as a nobody, imagine what it looks like for a somebody.

The 'tax' I've paid on that has included long stints based permanently overseas, spending almost 8 years working away from home in Australia and overseas for long periods and for four of those years I had children. Deciding to 'settle' and take work in Australia only with a permanent base has still meant three moves to three different states in 10 years. I missed large chunks of time with my kids when they were in there first few years and my wife did a lot of single parenting in those years.

It was hard at times, for her more than me, but at the end of the day it was worth it. Absolutely 100% worth it.

The AFL guys have had all of the amazing stuff, but compared to most sportspeople they haven't paid much 'tax'. Without being flippant and putting aside physical issues, a bad week for Jack Riewoldt last year would have been if it rained on his day off and ruined his game of golf, for which he wouldn't pay membership and would use the very best in equipment, again for free.

I've been in a hub. I've seen my child have to cancel their birthday party because AFL protocols meant they couldn't have guests in a house that I lived in. I've felt the jab each day when they ask when I'm going to be home.

Yes it is hard on some level but when you look at it through the perspective of what is actually hard in life and what rewards you reap compared to the difficulties you face, it really isn't hard at all. If you tried to tell most people in the real world that you were shattered to be heading to Queensland to work for a month without your family they would laugh at you.

I feel sorry for the guys in the hub but I also recognise that their emotion is more to due with their lack of real world experience, than any actual hardship.

Great post, how could they have any perspective of what is really tough?
The cleaner at our work lost his job managing a restraunt at the start of Covid. He wasn’t retained so no job keeper. He and his wife are here from Albania (3 years) and have a child with disabilities. Their child does not speak and is 3 years old. The are trying to build up work as cleaners. They get little sleep and have seen numerous doctors specialists about their son. Diet has been a big part of his problems. They spend over 500 a month on special treatment they get no assistance with. They have no family support. He was late coming the other week because he had had no sleep and profusely apologised. He was worried we would sack them.

Now that is a tough gig and helps me retain perspective.

 

[Ossie]

It's going to be called Tiger Time. Anyone remember Club Corner on 927 early 2000s? Richmond was Monday night at 11.00 There was a host with a current player or coach or former player. After interviews with the guest it was open line. Unleash the ferals. Compulsive listening in the days before Internet forums were mainstream. Particularly as we plummeted after 2001 it was raw. Fingers crossed Jack doesn't have to deal with that.

Spot on 22! I used to listen to that show on 927. Tigers were on Monday night, maybe Blues Tuesday night, Pies Wednesday night and Bombers Thursday night. Andrew Kuuse was the host and I reckon Tony Greenberg was involved at some stage. Players, coaches and officials were guests. I remember a guy from Nagambie used to call in, he delivered pies in a van. He was a regular! Was that Rod?

 

[tigerman]

Spot on 22! I used to listen to that show on 927. Tigers were on Monday night, maybe Blues Tuesday night, Pies Wednesday night and Bombers Thursday night. Andrew Kuuse was the host and I reckon Tony Greenberg was involved at some stage. Players, coaches and officials were guests. I remember a guy from Nagambie used to call in, he delivered pies in a van. He was a regular! Was that Rod?

Yes, I used to listen to it, I remember a Rod, but thought he was from Rosebud. There was a guy call Bill that used to ring every Monday too.
Was Des Ryan part of the show?

 

[Ossie]

Yes, I used to listen to it, I remember a Rod, but thought he was from Rosebud. There was a guy call Bill that used to ring every Monday too.
Was Des Ryan part of the show?

I am not sure if Des was still playing when it was on, although it did last quite a few years. That guy's name is going to bug me now!

 

[tigerman]

I am not sure if Des was still playing when it was on, although it did last quite a few years. That guy's name is going to bug me now!

I've just remembered the guys name that I was thinking of, his name was Billy, "Billy from Heidelberg"

 

[royce67]

I've just remembered the guys name that I was thinking of, his name was Billy, "Billy from Heidelberg"

Oh, good grief, yeah. Billy. He was always on about his mum too. Hmm, maybe a new thread is needed.

 

[Ossie]

I've just remembered the guys name that I was thinking of, his name was Billy, "Billy from Heidelberg"

Yes, Billy called in every week! "Hows u going?" Great memory Tigerman!
I am still thinking the guy who would call in on the road was delivering pies, maybe Rod?

 

[Razorgang2]

Great post, how could they have any perspective of what is really tough?
The cleaner at our work lost his job managing a restraunt at the start of Covid. He wasn’t retained so no job keeper. He and his wife are here from Albania (3 years) and have a child with disabilities. Their child does not speak and is 3 years old. The are trying to build up work as cleaners. They get little sleep and have seen numerous doctors specialists about their son. Diet has been a big part of his problems. They spend over 500 a month on special treatment they get no assistance with. They have no family support. He was late coming the other week because he had had no sleep and profusely apologised. He was worried we would sack them.

Now that is a tough gig and helps me retain perspective.

Holy hell, that brought a tear to my eye Jazzy. I get sick and tired of seeing vox pops, on the news from yuppies saying they want their freedom, sick of lockdown, etc
we dont know how lucky some of us are.

 

[ILUVDISCO]

I had to get up in the morning at ten o'clock at night half an hour before I went to bed, drink a cup of sulphuric acid, work twenty-nine hours a day down mill, and pay mill owner for permission to come to work, and when we got home, our Dad and our mother would kill us and dance about on our graves singing Hallelujah.

And you try and tell the young people of today that ... they won't believe you.

Bloody Luxury!!

 

[kiwitiger]

Im a self employed tradie , ive worked for AFL players ,

When you are working at peoples houses you do get invited into their homes to see how they live in a lot of respects

For such young families, they live a very charmed life compared to other young families around the same age , not taking anything away from that , they have earn't it

but if this is the toughest thing Jack has had to do and it brought him to tears ,

You can see why people who have experienced real struggles, think its a joke

 

[amc11]

Im a self employed tradie , ive worked for AFL players ,

When you are working at peoples houses you do get invited into their homes to see how they live in a lot of respects

For such young families, they live a very charmed life compared to other young families around the same age , not taking anything away from that , they have earn't it

but if this is the toughest thing Jack has had to do and it brought him to tears ,

You can see why people who have experienced real struggles, think its a joke

I would imagine Jack (who only about 5 years ago lost his cousin) is very, very aware of what real struggles are and that is probably what is weighing on him heavily.

Unfortunately for Jack, the very day the lock-down for Victoria was announced happened to coincide with his segment on afl 360 and was only 24 hours after he had left. No wonder he came across as rather flat due to the current circumstances. For those who considered Jack's response as 'immature and sooking it up' could perhaps forget about the so called privilege and high income of AFL players and recognise the mature family man who was expressing concerns for his own family in these trying times.

Every individual handles things differently, what is a struggle for some becomes effortless for others, and finances really have little to do with how well you cope on an emotional level. Jack's personality type is likely to struggle more with isolation and I believe being in the hub with his supportive and understanding team-mates will help him to regain his zest. There is no competition for who has the most resilience or who has the most difficulties in life or who has it the easiest despite what many would like to portray. Developing tolerance for all regardless of circumstances goes a long way towards making your own life easier and far more stress free.

 

[daniel30]

Like alot of family's and the public they had to do sacrifices If he didn't want to go that option was there I don't want to hear complaining now.

 

[Butch67]

Hopefully he takes the attitude that if has to be there he may a well make it worthwhile and play really well

 

[123cups]

Hosting a new weekly Tigers show on SEN from Monday.

Another questionable decision. At a time when he should be focussing on the club, his teammates and most importantly his poor form he increases his media commitments. Strange move

He’s setting himself up for a career post-footy, which allows him to focus on playing with less worries.

He gives up a couple of hours on a Monday afternoon to achieve this.

Are you saying he should spend 60+ hours a week actively thinking about his form, and the last 3 hours should not be spent on outside interests, because he needs that additional 3 hours to make it 63 hours a week of thinking about it and that will be the difference between playing well and not playing well?

The crazy criticism culture of AFL is a good thing when we’re the only team resistant to it’s harmful effects due to mindfulness.

 

[zippadeee]

He’s setting himself up for a career post-footy, which allows him to focus on playing with less worries.

He gives up a couple of hours on a Monday afternoon to achieve this.

Are you saying he should spend 60+ hours a week actively thinking about his form, and the last 3 hours should not be spent on outside interests, because he needs that additional 3 hours to make it 63 hours a week of thinking about it and that will be the difference between playing well and not playing well?

The crazy criticism culture of AFL is a good thing when we’re the only team resistant to it’s harmful effects due to mindfulness.

Then retire and do it.
99% of his wage is coming from the club.
If he isn't 100% commited he should've stayed home

 

[123cups]

Then retire and do it.
99% of his wage is coming from the club.
If he isn't 100% commited he should've stayed home

10 years ago Dimma made all his players take up non-football interests to prepare themselves for when they retire.

100% commitment doesn’t mean spending 100% of your time obsessing over football.