- Apr 24, 2020
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- AFL Club
- Brisbane Lions
I think that is a bit unfair on Joe TBH.My explanation - Joe is an exceptionally good player but he doesn't actually like footy or playing footy.
It's a job, he earns great money so won't give it away.
Goes about it professionally, but isn't super focused, isn't emotionally destroyed with a loss or emotionally high with a win.
It's just footy. It's just a job.
He is for the most part quite competitive, he absolutely does want to win. His personality is just a bit different that most elite athletes. I'm not sure that many players would 'enjoy' playing AFL footy if they were being honest. They want to win, they want to be the best, they want to do their part for the team. Whether they actually enjoy the games they play every weekend though? I'm not sure. He does try to enjoy himself more than nearly any player I have seen though.
I wonder with Joe, trying not to pressure himself, which may make it come off like he doesn't care or enjoy it etc. Is really what he is doing. Self pressure can be the worst kind of pressure and can completely destroy you mentally. Maybe that why despite the way he kicks at goal sometimes, he never looks like he has got the yips.
I think a lot of teams/clubs/players have put a lot of effort into not letting a loss destroy them. I don't know much about Joes Essendon days but with a lot of time for self reflection, maybe he realised that for his mental health and football, he needed to not get as emotional.