Despite the fact we are only six rounds into the season, some clubs look certain to play finals while others look destined for a difficult year.
Fortunes can change quickly. If there are injuries to key players or big names return from injury, the sudden emergence of the next champion or the sharp decline of the current star, a critical loss or resurgence in confidence, a team's hopes can fluctuate in the blink of an eye.
Similar situations as those faced by teams in the AFL are being played out across community football at all ages and all levels.
While the teams who are sailing along nicely don’t appear to need much apart from good fortune with injuries, those teams whose season hasn’t panned out as planned who are in need of some help.
There are always reasons for performances that don't meet expectation and some are well known. St Kilda losing their key midfielder and team leader, Lenny Hayes, to a knee injury for the season is one obvious example. But most of the time, the internal happenings at clubs are largely unknown.
Some coaches will know what to do in hard times, particularly if they are experienced and have been in this position before.
But there will be those who are new to coaching and will be finding it a stressful and difficult time and will need to call upon a mentor, whose opinions they can trust, to help guide them through the choppy waters.
I love reading about successful coaches and their views on what it takes in tough times. Even the great coaches have experienced performance slumps and the subsequent self-doubt that arises as a result.
Wayne Bennett, NRL coaching great, says in his book, The Man In The Mirror: "There were certain things the team needed to do; ball control, defence across the whole line, across the whole team and better attacking options inside the opposition’s 40-metre zone. I gave the players ownership of these, but at training, I coached tough on these things. I coached as tough on these as I’ve ever coached...and the players rose to the challenge."
While on the subject of NRL personalities, I recently had the good fortune to listen to the chief executive of NRL team the Canterbury Bulldogs Todd Greenberg speak about the struggles his club has had in trying to regain their credibility and performance level on and off the field.
Listed below are the actions he and the Bulldogs took to restore the fortunes of the club:
1. Recruit, retain and grow the best people and place them in the best position for them to build the organisation (and team)
2. Define who you are and what you stand for constantly, so you never forget where you are heading
3. Be passionate and committed to who you work (or play) for and demand the same of others.
4. You must have unrelenting optimism in this tough game.
As coach, and as a team, you may have experienced success before, so while past success is largely irrelevant, it should at least provide encouragement that you have the ability to do it. Don’t lose faith in yourself, although some adjustments may be necessary.
And no matter how hard it can be at times, don’t lose faith in the players, but demand from them what you believe is required for success to be achieved.
In the end, you need to believe in each other if you are to have any chance of regaining your confidence, individually and collectively.
You may not start winning immediately but, at the very least, if you are passionate and committed, you will have a chance of being competitive and will create the environment for future success.
