At various times it requires example-setting, instruction, encouragement or sometimes admonishment.
Occasionally, when the heat is really on, we see a player impose himself on the game through an over-the-top level of extreme desperation that makes everyone else look like they are not trying.
The strength of will becomes a powerful force that overwhelms the opposition and drags his teammates along in the slipstream.
Last Sunday against the Brisbane Lions I saw this rare occurrence take place through the efforts of St Kilda 200-gamer Lenny Hayes.
After squandering an early dominance with inaccurate conversion, the Saints had been worn down by the Lions and halfway through the final term had slipped nine points behind. The assured, confident St Kilda of the first eight rounds had been replaced at that point by an uncertain, stuttering team that had degenerated into a shadow of the polished 2009 version.
Enter Hayes, who dragged with him the emerging Leigh Montagna. With late-game fatigue setting in and in the midst of the disarray that engulfed the Saints, Hayes imposed himself on the game in the manner normally confined to the great leaders like Tony Shaw, Wayne Carey or Michael Voss.
When the pressure of a close contest is at its most intense it is the centre bounces and stoppages where the game must be won.
The captains of both teams, Nick Riewoldt and Jonathon Brown, were stationed in their respective forward 50s. They were powerless to affect the game unless the ball came into their forward half.
So it was not the skippers in the middle of the stoppage congestion. Fortunately for the Saints they had Hayes as part of their centre-square squad.
In a fleeting few moments the nine-point deficit became a nine-point lead. Three centre bounces, three clear takeaways, three quick goals. The Saints had in the blink of an eye grabbed the game back.
It was clear that in that minute or two the match did a complete U-turn in the direction it was heading.
For mine, Hayes’ efforts in the centre square inspired the lift in intensity that powered the match-winning burst. He was the primary catalyst for the St Kilda revival. He virtually willed his team over the line.
Sometimes things happen in our lives that make a lasting impression.
Back in 2004, prior to the coin toss, a meet and greet between umpires, captains and coaches was being trialled.
The Lions were playing St Kilda at Docklands when Hayes, the Saints captain at the time, approached the centre-circle gathering.
Talk about the eye of the tiger. The steel in his gaze was almost scary. This was the look of a man ready for battle. I remember hoping that his St Kilda teammates did not share this combative spirit.
Since that day back in 2004 I have always taken a special interest in his progress and have become a fan of the way he goes about his footy.
His coach Ross Lyon was quoted after the game as saying: “Lenny Hayes really lives the doctrine of great footballer, great person ... but they know when he goes down the race the gloves are off and he is a fierce competitor”.
I am sure these are heartfelt sentiments not just post-win spin.
Hayes is obviously a man of great substance, the type of player that his teammates must love to have by their side.
A great bloke and team man off the field and a fierce competitor on it.
Now that is a combination I rate above all else.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
