Many moons ago when I was a cadet reporter with the Addy I had the job of going into the losing team’s rooms after a finals game.
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This team had been expected to win, but unexpectedly lost to a club that had been inferior throughout the home and away season.
After finishing the interview with the coach a supporter of the club pulled me aside and said “don’t listen to what the coach said, the real reason they lost is they have no team chemistry.”
It didn’t really sink in at the time, but looking back now the supporter was right.
The team hadn’t just had a bad day.
Talent-wise they were superior, but when it mattered most in a final, their opponents played for each other and wanted it more.
Watching the West Indies versus Ireland clash in the World Cup this week was another glaring example of how important team chemistry is.
From ball one of that game the Irish players were up and about, supporting their team-mates and playing each ball as if it was their last.
Not so the West Indies.
The once mighty Windies had no team spirit.
Their players didn’t want to be there.
Their performance was summed up late in the game when Chris Gayle couldn’t be bothered to bend down far enough to field a ball that was trickling towards him.
The ball rolled past him and Ireland pinched a single. Insipid from Gayle - a former captain of the Windies.
They say that attitude reflects leadership.
That’s why the Bendigo Spirit’s team chemistry is second to none.
The Spirit’s two WNBL championships have been built around culture and chemistry.
As a player if you don’t buy into the Spirit’s way, you don’t make it.
The fact the Spirit’s core group has signed multi-year deals in recent years shows how good that team chemistry is.
The players don’t want to leave - even though they could command more cash at rival clubs.
On Sunday afternoon the Spirit plays Townsville in the WNBL second semi final.
At stake is a home grand final.
On paper, everything points to a Townsville victory. The Fire have been the best team all year and they have home court advantage.
However, every player on that Townsville roster knows that if it’s a tight game down the stretch the Spirit won’t be an easy nut to crack.
When it matters most in a big final that’s when you need your team-mates in the trenches.
That’s when your will to win and team chemistry is really tested.
That’s when real teams stand up to be counted.
