The Jamarra Thread

[weltschmerz]

Devils advocate.

He is able to go to social events but can’t make training. ???

I'm not sure where the story that he hasn't been at training came from?

Yep the important quote was

Jamarra was at every session and really putting his name up to play in the VFL and hopefully get back to some good footy before the years end

But of course they take the joke about how well the team is playing out of context to generate more clicks

 

[dogwatch]

It's a hard one.

There's a disconnect between the high achiever, linear KPI, left-brain perfectionist world of AFL/Corporate Sport on the one hand and a more right-brain, intuitive, differently connected world of the indigenous culture on the other. I imagine it's hard for those who inhabit both of those worlds to get the balance right. Some seem to navigate it very well, others less so.

I'm guessing most of us reside almost entirely in the former world. So we cast our player judgements on that basis. As outsiders we can't fully understand or speak for those in the latter. We are left trying to work out just how much latitude is needed. And how much is too much.

The AFL hasn't figured it out either. Despite all the indigenous rounds and acknowledgements of country maybe it just can't. The Sport-As-Big-Business model knows only one way. In those circumstances it may be doing the best it can, and the careers of a few like Jamarra are just unfortunate collateral damage along the way.

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

It's a hard one.

There's a disconnect between the high achiever, linear KPI, left-brain perfectionist world of AFL/Corporate Sport on the one hand and a more right-brain, intuitive, differently connected world of the indigenous culture on the other. I imagine it's hard for those who inhabit both of those worlds to get the balance right. Some seem to navigate it very well, others less so.

I'm guessing most of us reside almost entirely in the former world. So we cast our player judgements on that basis. As outsiders we can't fully understand or speak for those in the latter. We are left trying to work out just how much latitude is needed. And how much is too much.

The AFL hasn't figured it out either. Despite all the indigenous rounds and acknowledgements of country maybe it just can't. The Sport-As-Big-Business model knows only one way. In those circumstances it may be doing the best it can, and the careers of a few like Jamarra are just unfortunate collateral damage along the way.

The great majority of players adapt to the AFL environment and achieve varying levels of success. It's not meant to be easy. It has admittedly got harder than it was "back in our day". A lot of $$$ is involved. It's the same with everything.

If there was widespread evidence of dysfunction of systems, there would have to be specific changes. But the difficulties experienced by one or two players isn't a good reason. Compassion and understanding should be shown but not a watering down of the way clubs can operate to accommodate them. It's not a good way to maintain harmony at club level, or between clubs. Everyone currently knows where they stand.

The football-loving public will only put up with so much tampering. The clubs are constantly out for self-preservation, some need to more than others

 

[BigFloppa]

It's a hard one.

There's a disconnect between the high achiever, linear KPI, left-brain perfectionist world of AFL/Corporate Sport on the one hand and a more right-brain, intuitive, differently connected world of the indigenous culture on the other. I imagine it's hard for those who inhabit both of those worlds to get the balance right. Some seem to navigate it very well, others less so.

I'm guessing most of us reside almost entirely in the former world. So we cast our player judgements on that basis. As outsiders we can't fully understand or speak for those in the latter. We are left trying to work out just how much latitude is needed. And how much is too much.

The AFL hasn't figured it out either. Despite all the indigenous rounds and acknowledgements of country maybe it just can't. The Sport-As-Big-Business model knows only one way. In those circumstances it may be doing the best it can, and the careers of a few like Jamarra are just unfortunate collateral damage along the way.

The guy has taken a gap year while being paid 800k a year. It doesn't matter where you fall on the left-western-right-brain-cultural-awareness continuum; that's unacceptable. Missing a month or two, sure you could have this conversation and scratch your chin about it being a hard one. This case is so far from the margins it's not funny.

 

[Golden_6]

Whether he meant them in jest or not, Lade's comments were increcibly sloppy and have created a headline when there didn't need to be one.

I imagine the club will be speaking to him (& others) about his choice of language regarding the situation.

 

[bresker]

It's a hard one.

There's a disconnect between the high achiever, linear KPI, left-brain perfectionist world of AFL/Corporate Sport on the one hand and a more right-brain, intuitive, differently connected world of the indigenous culture on the other. I imagine it's hard for those who inhabit both of those worlds to get the balance right. Some seem to navigate it very well, others less so.

I'm guessing most of us reside almost entirely in the former world. So we cast our player judgements on that basis. As outsiders we can't fully understand or speak for those in the latter. We are left trying to work out just how much latitude is needed. And how much is too much.

The AFL hasn't figured it out either. Despite all the indigenous rounds and acknowledgements of country maybe it just can't. The Sport-As-Big-Business model knows only one way. In those circumstances it may be doing the best it can, and the careers of a few like Jamarra are just unfortunate collateral damage along the way.

Indeed. I've worked with lots of indigenous kids in inner Melbourne. Lovetts, Wanganeens, Lally Bamblett's grandkids and many more. They love their footy & play like it's the 1990s. Anything goes but its all forgotten when the bell rings. Great talents, but there's often a fair bit of trouble at home...

The private schools should be taking them on scholarships, but they don't. I guess even winning bragging rights in posh boy school footy matches can only tolerate so much dysfunction. Despite his recent difficulties , Jamarra is smart & charming .

There's a lot of Marras out there who never get the opportunity.

 

[Libbaaaa]

Whether he meant them in jest or not, Lade's comments were increcibly sloppy and have created a headline when there didn't need to be one.

I imagine the club will be speaking to him (& others) about his choice of language regarding the situation.

Bevo would have loved it.

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

Indeed. I've worked with lots of indigenous kids in inner Melbourne. Lovetts, Wanganeens, Lally Bamblett's grandkids and many more. They love their footy & play like it's the 1990s. Anything goes but its all forgotten when the bell rings. Great talents, but there's often a fair bit of trouble at home...

The private schools should be taking them on scholarships, but they don't. I guess even winning bragging rights in posh boy school footy matches can only tolerate so much dysfunction. Despite his recent difficulties , Jamarra is smart & charming .

There's a lot of Marras out there who never get the opportunity.

I'm pretty sure schools identify and take on as many talented indigenous kids as they can, not just for football. Jamarra was on a scholarship. The problem is often that the boys don't like living a long way from their families, or don't cope well with the climate, if they come from interstate. Plus the families do tend to put pressure on the boys if they're earning money. There are a lot of reasons why indigenous boys, particularly in the teenage years, are hard to pin down to the rather tough regime which is professional football. That a number do, is a credit to them and the systems that support them.

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

Whether he meant them in jest or not, Lade's comments were increcibly sloppy and have created a headline when there didn't need to be one.

I imagine the club will be speaking to him (& others) about his choice of language regarding the situation.

Perhaps it was indicative of a waning of patience, for reasons only they are aware of. But of course, you do have to be very careful talking to the media.

 

[Hutchymundo]

Another part of the interview also

 

[weltschmerz]

Another part of the interview also

People here talk like he hasn't been at training for a month.

 

[BigFloppa]

People here talk like he hasn't been at training for a month.

To be fair, weltschmerz, he hasn't been at training for practically the entire year.

 

[JohnnySteel]

Another part of the interview also

I know it doesn’t mean much but Marra also liked this post on IG. He is still engaged it seems.

 

[jaxie1]

It's a hard one.

There's a disconnect between the high achiever, linear KPI, left-brain perfectionist world of AFL/Corporate Sport on the one hand and a more right-brain, intuitive, differently connected world of the indigenous culture on the other. I imagine it's hard for those who inhabit both of those worlds to get the balance right. Some seem to navigate it very well, others less so.

I'm guessing most of us reside almost entirely in the former world. So we cast our player judgements on that basis. As outsiders we can't fully understand or speak for those in the latter. We are left trying to work out just how much latitude is needed. And how much is too much.

The AFL hasn't figured it out either. Despite all the indigenous rounds and acknowledgements of country maybe it just can't. The Sport-As-Big-Business model knows only one way. In those circumstances it may be doing the best it can, and the careers of a few like Jamarra are just unfortunate collateral damage along the way.

We’ll put DW remembering the saying walk a mile in my shoes

 

[Lindsay_Gilbee]

Bang on. Don’t think there’s many afl clubs who will accept this blokes behaviour. Let’s stop making out that he’s the victim (despite having some shit stuff happen to him).

 

[Del203211]

How much training does he need to do to get back into the VFL? Or is it about more than just fitness before returning?

 

[weltschmerz]

At this point I feel like retirement is the healthiest thing for him. I never got the impression that his issue is with us or would be fixed elsewhere.

 

[bresker]

I don't care if he misses training. What's he training for ? His season is over.

The club won't parachute him into a settled VFL side at finals time. That wouldn't be fair on any party.

 

[BigFloppa]

I don't care if he misses training. What's he training for ? His season is over.

The club won't parachute him into a settled VFL side at finals time. That wouldn't be fair on any party.

The benefit of completing the training block would have been to provide evidence to any potential employer next year that he's capable of showing up consistently and doing the mundane work required to be an AFL player.

 

[BigFloppa]

I don't know Jamarra at all so this is entirely speculative - but I just get the sense he doesn't really want to be an AFL player. I remember an interview last year where he admitted that he doesn't watch footy and every week he wouldn't even know who our opponents defenders are because he's just not interested in it. He was obviously born with a golden ticket after winning the genetic lottery and having so much natural talent. Maybe he felt obligated to cash that in despite it not being what he enjoys most. I think Tom Boyd had a similar journey and ultimately he was honest with himself, decided to retire and pursue his true calling. It seems to have been a great move for him and he seems genuinely happy now. Whatever the case, I hope Jamarra makes the decision that is right for him and stays true to himself. A gruelling profession like being a professional athlete will grind you down if your heart isn't entirely in it.

 

[Optimistic Dog]

Understand if footy is not for him but our unlucky are we to have 2 number one picks decide footy is not for them in the early stages of their careers in Tom and Jamara. The odds of this happening to one club would have been very long.

 

[Libbaaaa]

Selfishly from the club's point of view the short term extension he signed is such good fortune.

 

[bresker]

Bang on. Don’t think there’s many afl clubs who will accept this blokes behaviour. Let’s stop making out that he’s the victim (despite having some shit stuff happen to him).

You'd guess Lloyd and co are aware of stuff they can't talk about on the show. Rumours at least.

I like Lloyd , he's a straight talker, and he wouldn't tolerate Marra in his putative team. A more flexible coach might give him a chance.

 

[Lindsay_Gilbee]

You'd guess Lloyd and co are aware of stuff they can't talk about on the show. Rumours at least.

I like Lloyd , he's a straight talker, and he wouldn't tolerate Marra in his putative team. A more flexible coach might give him a chance.

Doubt there’s a coach in any league in the world who would put up with how he’s acted the last 12 months.

Like Lloyd said, how is a change on environment gonna make a difference? What’s wrong with our environment? Before anyone mentions we lose Bailey Smith, it’s not our fault Bailey couldn’t crack our midfield.

 

[Norm De Guerre]

Bang on. Don’t think there’s many afl clubs who will accept this blokes behaviour. Let’s stop making out that he’s the victim (despite having some shit stuff happen to him).

"Lordo" (It does my head in when Barrett simperingly calls him that) used the word "missed" a number of times during his take on what Lade had to say in regards to JUH.

What he "missed" or just chose to ignore was the context as to why he most recently missed a week or so of training. Something that has set back and in reality nixed any possible return to football before the end of the year. He also talks a lot about trust as if he's inside the four walls of the club and has the inside running on how the club and Jamarra have handled his most recent absence from the club. He also conveniently sidesteps Lade saying that prior to this latest absence he'd been at every session.

The only new thing from all of this is that Lade needs to do another round of media training. Especially when it comes to an issue as sensitive as the will he/won't he future of JUH. He should've known that anything he said was going to be parsed down to the syllable and it is not a subject for blokey jokery.

It was a trap and he blundered right into it.