25 April Day 2026. West Adelaide Masters hosts Woodville South for our traditional ANZAC Day match. The last two years, they ran over the top of us. This time, we’re out for revenge.
Before the bounce, there’s a ceremony to acknowledge the sacrifice made by all our service personnel since 1899. And to honour everyone who’s ever worn an Australian military uniform.
We line up, side by side with our Wests opponents. There’s a sense of camaraderie between the two teams. Rob ‘Daisy’ Day, a legendary supporter of Masters footy, recites the Ode of Remembrance.
Daisy served in the Australian Navy for 20 years. That’s a big commitment to our nation’s security. To me, it’s an honour to be on the same park as Daisy, and to be given the opportunity to thank him personally for his service.
After a minute of silence, we take our places on the field. The gloves are off. No way are we giving Wests three in a row.
With Matt Gale, Big G, organising our field placements, every member of the team knows exactly what’s expected of him. Big G slots me in as full forward for the first time. And he gives me clear riding instructions:
· Stay in the centre of the field
· Stop their backline from clearing the ball
· Take your opposition to ground and keep them there
· Rotate into the ruckman’s role when Big G needs a break.
Result? I have a great game. I don’t manage a kick, but I help keep the ball in our opponent’s half. Big G has me marking Mark Canta, a player I’ve always respected. Early on, the ball comes my way. I have a clear shot at goal, then Mark wraps me up with a brilliant tackle.
There’s no time to rue the lost opportunity. The pressure’s too intense. Later, Mark grabs the ball, with a clear run to our goal. If I let him go, Wests will score. So I poleaxe him. You beauty!
When the fulltime hooter sounds, Woodville South comes out on top. Big G has transformed our team, and I feel privileged to be part of it. His job’s even harder when you consider the reality of Masters footy.
We’re playing as an over-35s team, so I’m giving away twenty years to the younger blokes. When Big G allocates our positions, he has a lot to consider. What are our strengths and vulnerabilities? How can he give us a chance to win any matchups? It’s a tough gig, and Big G draws on all his experience to make the right calls.
I’ve made my own contribution behind the scenes. I’ve printed up magnets with all our players’ names on them, so Big G can place them on the whiteboard. Some of the magnets just read ‘New Guy’, to accommodate the newbies who show up.
Once they’ve proven their staying power, I make up an official magnet with their name on it.
After the match, I identified some takeaways for business.
· Take a moment to thank the people who make a positive contribution to your business. It’s too easy to say, ‘That’s what I pay them for,’ and leave it at that. Most folk appreciate the recognition. It’s good for them, and it’s good for us as leaders, too. We couldn’t achieve our goals without them. Offering our genuine thanks keeps us humble.
· What happens on the field stays on the field. Mark Canta and I did our best to clean each other up during the match. We both managed some mighty tackles. After the game, we shared a drink, a feed and a laugh. Once you start carrying resentments, you begin a feud, and that never ends well. If you sense some tension between two of your team members, nip it in the bud. Remind them of what they’re really playing for.
· Sound organisation reaps results. Sometimes a footy match looks like controlled chaos. Some workplaces are the same. But having a fine strategic thinker like Big G at the helm brings a sense of order to our game. Each player knows his role, where to place himself on the field, and which opponent to mark. We’re given every chance to succeed. Communication flows freely between the players and our brains trust. Regardless of your business, it’s easy to apply these lessons in your workplace, with your people.
One final thing. Woodville South has a strong player roster, with new players showing up each week. We welcome them, give them a position to play on field, and offer them our support, as players and club members. When new employees join your team, do they know exactly what you expect of them? Do you have a magnet waiting for them with their name on it? Is there anything you can do to sharpen your gameplan?
If you’ve answered No to any of these questions, get in touch. Let’s talk about how we can tap some of your business’s unrealised potential!