Hard work and effort trumps talent. It’s a well-worn mantra imparted by sporting coaches the world over. But, it’s something Gold Coast SUNS coach Rodney Eade is still trying to drum into the playing group at Metricon Stadium.
 
The veteran football mentor has spoken about it at length throughout his tenure in southern Queensland. And it’s an intangible quality he demands from his players, regardless of how talented they are.
 
“That’s probably a mentality that we’ve got to get that consistency through that it’s not just on talent, its on hard work,” Eade told reporters during his weekly press conference on Friday.
 
“I think there was an interesting comment made by Lee Spurr from Freo, that it doesn’t matter where you were taken in the draft it’s about your effort.
 
“So that’s something that we’ve got to get through here as a club. Have that consistency of effort, consistency of effort in your preparation and the way you train.
 
“And being such a young group, but getting to a stage where we can challenge each other as well.”
 
With Nick Malceski and David Swallow joining a host of more experienced SUNS on the sidelines, coupled with two debutants, Gold Coast will field one of the youngest sides in terms of age and experience in Saturday’s QClash.
 
Regardless of age or the amount of games next to your name, Eade believes it should have no impact on the level of effort you bring. One the ball is bounced, age is irrelevant. And whilst skill errors can be excused, effort and intensity should be a baseline.
 
“It’s probably the least experienced team I’ve been involved in, but even if you’re 17 or you’re 31, you’ve got control over the way you go about a contest and the way you go about a game,” Eade quipped.
 
“You mightn’t play well, you might make mistakes, which inexperience can do, but certainly the way you apply yourself.
 
“I think Sean Lemmens is a good example. Sean’s probably only played 15-20 games, probably not in great form at the moment but he certainly does puts his head over the ball and he does give you a contest. But, certainly his trust amongst his teammates and the way he goes about it is a real positive.”