BY DAN

Say a player was joining the club for his first season. That player, a presumptive future leader and halfback, was in the early throes of his first pre-season, bumping around with the big boys, interacting, learning, and working with the people who he wants to learn from. With the people who’s job he wants at some point.

How would you want him to act?

I would want him to act like he means to go on. To show appetite for hard work. To be a leader of men and to challenge the old ways. I’d want him to be sure of himself but to acknowledge he’s got as much work to do, if not more. I’d want him to say this.

Training has been great so far. It’s been tough…It’s not going to be an easy pre-season. As a young crew we spoke about not waiting for the older boys to lift up. Us young boys [expect] to lift up the intensity and let the older boys follow us

And

Jamal [Fogarty] has been massive the first couple of weeks he’s been back, so if I can learn as much as I can from him it will put me in good stead to put me back in that [NRL] arena. There’s always stuff you can learn – whether it is how you are talking to them, when you are talking to them. I need to chat constantly and stay relentless with that.

That’s Ethan Sanders, demonstrating his work ethic but also his capacity to lead, to hold his teammates accountable, and to be part of a generation that doesn’t wait for others to show them. He’s clear about needing to work on things, and is learning from a great teacher. Nothing is promised to him in Canberra other than a potentially quicker path to first grade and an opportunity to play with good mates. It’s pleasing to see him take to the environment and try to build from day one.

Ok let’s try another one.

Say a young player was coming in for his second proper pre-season. That player had proven himself a star of the future in his initial foray into first grade. Had quickly established himself as the team’s presumptive six for years to come. Had demonstrated many strenghts, and as many opportunities for improvement.

How would you want him to return?

I’d want him to turn up for his next off-season with an axe to grind and work to do. I’d want him full of beans, ready to build on the foundations already established. Enthusiastic. Driven. Ready to not just fuck around but thirsting to find out. I’d want people to say this about him.

He’s bouncing around, which is good, for someone that played over 20 games in his first season at five-eighth for the club. For him to come back fresh it’s good to see.

That’s Jamal Fogarty on Ethan Strange by the way. After a year in which Coach Stuart rested the young half on the pretense that he was exhausted by his first forays into first grade, Strange has proven himself keen to get working. So much so that his more experienced colleagues are noticing the energy. We have so much invested in this man, both literally for the club, and emotionally for the fan base. The toll of expectation has the potential to weigh him down over the coming years. But right now he’s embracing his opportunity, and the chance to get better. Bouncing with it.

It’s a bit early to expect that means we’re witnessing the rebirth of Daley and Stuart. There’s a long way between where we are now and even being sure we have two rolled gold permanent starters on our hands. I’ve been surer about other players before, and for as much as I love Mick Dobson or Mitch Cornish, they never really made the waves I’d hoped. So we won’t get carried away with a few outpourings of media training.

But the above statements are the things you want to hear three weeks into a potential partnership. Ownership. Accountability. Leadership. Enthusiasm. The energy of youth permeating through the club, imbued with purpose. That will have an impact on those beyond their immediate orbit. And maybe they’ll echo longer.

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