Never Give Up - The Underdog Can Be Triumphant!
Love a feel good story in sport? Here's one to warm the heart. But it also emphasises that adversity can drive a team and/or an individual to great things. But first, some background.
The first weekend of October is grand final weekend in the major football codes in Australia. Sort of like the SuperBowl but we have two major codes of football here in Australia. During the winter, rugby union, rugby league and Australian Rules Football are played as the major winter sports. Rugby Union ranks third in popularity and the Australian teams are struggling at present in this code.
The two major codes are the National Rugby League Competition and the AFL (Australian Football league). Wikipedia explains the AFL game here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Football_... and the NRL game here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Rugby_Leagu...
Yesterday, the AFL grand final was held at the code's spiritual home, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which has a capacity of 100,000. It was between the Western Bulldogs from the western suburbs of Melbourne, and the Sydney Swans, competing in their 3rd grand final in 5 years. The Bulldogs finished 7th on the table after the regular season. No one has won the premiership (grand final) from 7th in the history (over 120 years) of the sport. Not that long ago they were threatened with bankruptcy and only just survived. They last one a championship in 1954. Yes, 62 years ago.
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Tonight, Sunday, the NRL (National Rugby League) grand final is between the Melbourne Storm (been to 6 grand finals in the past 16 years, with 2 victories) and the Cronulla Sharks from Sydney who, in their 50th season, have yet to win a championship. In recent years, they too have been plagued with financial drama and performing enhancing drugs scandals.
Injury Clouds the Prospects
Let's return to the AFL grand final. Injuries affected both teams, with key players either not making the final team or not available at all. Bob Murphy, the long-time captain of the Western Bulldogs, had been ruled out of the season back in April while another key player had a back fracture but secretly played on. The Bulldogs didn't have one player with grand final experience. The Swans team was full of champions who had been their before and won before.
Living in the Moment
One of the great games in recent years unfolded as the afternoon drew on. With the opening play at 2.30pm, by halftime it was a two point ballgame that had ebbed and flowed. As I watched it, for a moment I thought it was going to be the Sydney Swans then it was the Western Bulldogs who would triumph. At half-time, I left for a church service. The result would have to wait!
Online Business Activity
We all face adversity that can potentially cruel our chances of business success. It may be disappointment in others, financial pressures, health reverses or just life itself getting in the way. We work hard, do the training at Wealthy Affiliate, make application of what we learn, research prospects, etc., all in the goal of achieving success. In may seem that we are always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Someone else gets the candy while we are left holding the wrapper.
The Western Bulldogs fought back from oblivion financially due to good management and loyal fan support that stuck with them through hard times. From 7th on the ladder, like being the lowest seeded wild card, they had to win four games in four weeks to win the grand final. They would never have home ground advantage during this quest.
We, too at times, seem to be up against it. The mountain may seem too high, the valley too deep. Ever been there? What did you do? Give up? Was the prize worth fighting for? I am sure we haven't had to wait 62 years for some business success or victory.
The Hoodoo is Broken!
In 2005, the Sydney Swans were playing the West Coast Eagles from Western Australia for the championship. With just seconds to play, and his team leading by 5 points, defender Leo Barry from the Swans marked the ball and shut down an offensive play from the Eagles. As he got up to kick the ball, the final siren sounded. The Swans had broken a 72 year premiership drought. Dreams came true that day. What would happen in 2016?
When the final siren sounded in the ears of close to 100,000 spectators in the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and in front of TV screens across the country, jubilant cries rang out from the Western Bulldog players and fans. The agonizing wait for glory was over.
I have included a clip of the trophy presentation. Note what the coach did for Bob Murphy, the long-time captain. Yes, the hoodoo was broken. A new chapter in the code's history was written.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2016-grand-fin...
Feel Good Stories Abound
We can all write our own feel good story. Don't be a spectator and wait for others to achieve championship glory. We have abilities, we have experiences, we have the potential to work, work and work some more so that we can achieve success in our online business activity. What happens tonight in the NRL Grand Final, may further cement the fact that patience and perseverance are essential qualities for us in all walks of life.
Till next time,
Sunday Night Update:
The Cronulla Sharks won their first championship. It took them 50 years. It was a weekend of underdogs - a drought breaking time. They won 14-12 over the Melbourne Storm.
Recent Comments
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Did you watch the rugby yesterday South Africa vs Australia, bit scrappy but a win for SA. Loved your blog.
Australia are pretty poor right now at the rugby union code. Congratulations to South Africa on that win.
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Great post. I too like how you intertwined it with WA, life really.
Yes, when we see events take place, it is important to find some lessons that we can apply.