'It still haunts me', delisted Dog Christian Howard couldn't handle the pressure

[bornadog]

LInk h (http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-10-29/it-still-haunts-me)ere

http://www.afl.com.au/staticfile/AFL%20Tenant/WesternBulldogs/Photo%20Galleries/2014%20-%20Galleries/Round%2011%20-%20Fremantle/330184-tlsnewsportrait.jpg

DELISTED Bulldog Christian Howard admitted he was haunted by the pressure of being a first-round draft pick throughout his five-year career at the Whitten Oval.

Howard was a surprise selection at pick No.15 in the 2009 NAB AFL Draft with experts predicting he wouldn't be selected until the third round.

After just 20 senior games, including two in season 2014, the 23-year-old was cut from the Bulldogs list, just days after being part of Footscray's historic VFL premiership (http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-09-21/vfl-grand-final).

Like several other Bulldogs, Howard said a communication breakdown between himself and ex-coach Brendan McCartney made his final year difficult, but ultimately it was his own inability to handle the pressure of being a first-round draftee that led to his downfall.

"It still haunts me," Howard told AFL.com.au.

"I really struggled to deal with the pressure of being a first round pick early on in my career, and to a certain degree even now it still haunts me. I just didn't deal with it well.

"If I had my time again, I probably would have gone to see a sports psychologist earlier than I did to help me deal with it, even though it wasn't the done thing back then."

After a string of good performances in the VFL mid-year, Howard was recalled to the senior side in rounds 11 and 12, but after failing to have an impact, the defender was banished back to Footscray for the remainder of the season.

It was at that point mid-season his relationship with McCartney began to unravel, as the 23-year-old started to come to terms with his fate.

"When I got back in the team and didn't perform anywhere near how I wanted to, after that I could see the end was coming," Howard said.

"The writing was definitely on the wall which probably made it a little bit easier because I was able to prepare for it," Howard said.

"My relationship with [McCartney] was really good in his first couple of years. I used to go into his office and chat to him almost weekly. I'd say it probably broke down a little bit this year, especially in the second half of the year.

"I was playing well in the VFL but didn't get a look in for the senior team. It got to that point where he had almost done all he could, I just needed to start performing on the field. I wouldn't say the communication broke down completely but it definitely wasn't as strong as it had been."

Howard still has aspirations of continuing his AFL career, however he conceded it was unlikely with his manager Paul Connors yet to receive any interest from other clubs.

If he doesn't find himself on an AFL list next year, the young defender has had offers from VFL side Port Melbourne and Glenelg in the SANFL - the club the South Australian was drafted from as an 18-year-old.

"I would take a rookie spot anywhere but I'm not really holding my breath," Howard said.

"I'm absolutely stoked with my career. I didn't even really think I'd ever get drafted right up until the year that it happened. I've got no regrets. I gave it my all and really enjoyed my time at the Bulldogs.

"I definitely want to play state league somewhere. I still want to play at the highest level possible. If I can get a good pre-season behind me and have a good year, I'm still young and anything can happen."

[Hotdog60]

Howard comes across as level headed sort of guy, Just on Macca I think the pressure of AFL coaching may have got the better of him. With Howards comment about their regular chats and how it tapered off. Looks like Macca moved away from one of the reasons he got the job in the first place.

Just go to show how much support is needed for players and coaches to make it in the big time.

[G-Mo77]

Howard comes across as level headed sort of guy, Just on Macca I think the pressure of AFL coaching may have got the better of him. With Howards comment about their regular chats and how it tapered off. Looks like Macca moved away from one of the reasons he got the job in the first place.

Just go to show how much support is needed for players and coaches to make it in the big time.

It's a common trend isn't it. Without knowing to much about Jones or Tutt I'd say they would have had the same issues. It seems the coach had just given up on them and left them in the VFL to finish their season. It's disappointing to read and makes me feel it was the right choice in parting ways.

Anyway good luck to Howard. I was never a fan but he's part of that VFL GF team and he'll always be a Bulldog in my eyes. I wish him nothing but good luck from here on in.

[1eyedog]

I've never been selected in the first round and I'm sure the pressure existed but it wasn't pressure that kept him out of the senior side it was simply that he was not a good enough footballer and it was Dalrymple's failure in his first that led us to taking him at 15. While Dalrymple has more than made up for it missing out on any of Menzel, Fyfe, Bastinac, Carlisle, Sam Reid and Nathan Vardy is a bitter pill to swallow.

[bornadog]

I like Howard's attitude, he played 20 games for the RWB, something many of us dreamed of when we were kids (well I did), and he is so grateful he got the chance.

[G-Mo77]

I've never been selected in the first round and I'm sure the pressure existed but it wasn't pressure that kept him out of the senior side it was simply that he was not a good enough footballer and it was Dalrymple's failure in his first year that we took him at 15. Dalrymple has more than made up for it but missing out on any of Menzel, Fyfe, Bastinac, Carlisle, Sam Reid and Nathan Vardy is a bitter pill to swallow.

I don't think anyone would argue that. Talent alone doesn't make great footballers.

[KT31]

Howard comes across as level headed sort of guy, Just on Macca I think the pressure of AFL coaching may have got the better of him. With Howards comment about their regular chats and how it tapered off. Looks like Macca moved away from one of the reasons he got the job in the first place.

Just go to show how much support is needed for players and coaches to make it in the big time.
This is where the bigger clubs with extra coaches have it over us, with the extra heads their senior coaches have the time freed up for them to spend the time for one on ones.
Looks like we have addressed it this year with the commitment to extra spending on the coaching department and a couple of more coaching staff.


"If I had my time again, I probably would have gone to see a sports psychologist earlier than I did to help me deal with it, even though it wasn't the done thing back then."

I thought sports psychologist had been around for years and it was common for all types of sportsman to see them.
I know in cricket it has been accepted for years and even 10 or more years back, on a coaching course, we were recommended to read 'The Psychology of Cricket' as part of the course.
Good luck to Christian in the future.

[GVGjr]

It's food for thought on taking a flyer at a youngster in the first round of the draft when they aren't ready for it.
Howard didn't follow the elite pathway to the AFL and I think we didn't read how much more difficult that can make it for a player under the scrutiny of being an early pick.

I hope Howard gets back into one of the state league teams and maybe he gets a chance to get back into the AFL.

[bornadog]

It's food for thought on taking a flyer at a youngster in the first round of the draft when they aren't ready for it.
Howard didn't follow the elite pathway to the AFL and I think we didn't read how much more difficult that can make it for a player under the scrutiny of being an early pick.

I hope Howard gets back into one of the state league teams and maybe he gets a chance to get back into the AFL.

Hopefully Tom Boyd doesn't feel the pressure as he is not only a first rounder but has to live up to expectations with the big salary.

We can only hope the club will manage this properly over the next 7 years.

[ledge]

Seeing a psychologist goes way back to the 80s as far as AFL football goes but it all hinges on the player or coaches recognising he needed to see one.
Malt house had players seeing one when he was coach at the dogs.
As we know anxiety, depression, expectation are hidden within people it's not like it's out there for all to see.

[Bulldog4life]

Seeing a psychologist goes way back to the 80s as far as AFL football goes but it all hinges on the player or coaches recognising he needed to see one.
Malt house had players seeing one when he was coach at the dogs.
As we know anxiety, depression, expectation are hidden within people it's not like it's out there for all to see.

Yes I think one of the first ones was Rudi Webster who worked at Richmond.

[The bulldog tragician]

I like Howard's attitude, he played 20 games for the RWB, something many of us dreamed of when we were kids (well I did), and he is so grateful he got the chance.

Well said. Christian Howard is not the first and won't be the last high draft pick to not make the grade. He wore our colours, did his best, yes we wish it had worked out both for us and him, but honestly with the high rates of depression in young men, I hope Christian stays well away from the ugly vitriol that gets posted about him (not here).

[Sedat]

Hopefully Tom Boyd doesn't feel the pressure as he is not only a first rounder but has to live up to expectations with the big salary.

We can only hope the club will manage this properly over the next 7 years.
Boyd went through the elite pathway, and not only that, he was the elite in the elite pathway. I think he will thrive on the pressure of expectation.

Howard sounds like a well-rounded person in life away from competitive sport. But he also sounds like he lacked the absolute hunger and mental application to be the best AFL player he can be. That's not a knock on him as a person - some are simply more driven than others in this area.

[Bulldog Revolution]

We got the pick wrong, we reflect on it, and move on - we probably should have done it sooner, but we gave Christian every chance, and he was handy in a VFL premiership that we all enjoyed winning.

We wish him all the best

[GVGjr]

I've mentioned this a few times before but at the start of the 2014 season Howard's career performances wasn't that much different to Easton Wood's but I've never really heard any pressure being applied to Wood whereas Howard had questions being raised about his ability from day one. This is the price the player pays when they haven't come through the elite pathway but have the added burden of being a surprise first round selection.

Neither player came through the elite pathway but one of them never faced the same level of scrutiny than the other did not by a long shot.

When you don't come through the elite pathway but are taken in the 3rd round of a draft the fans and media give you a lot more attitude. I wonder what might have been for Howard had he arrived at the club as a 3rd round selection rather than a 1st round pick.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

I've mentioned this a few times before but at the start of the 2014 season Howard's career performances wasn't that much different to Easton Wood's but I've never really heard any pressure being applied to Wood whereas Howard had questions being raised about his ability from day one. This is the price the player pays when they haven't come through the elite pathway but have the added burden of being a surprise first round selection.

Neither player came through the elite pathway but one of them never faced the same level of scrutiny than the other did not by a long shot.

When you don't come through the elite pathway but are taken in the 3rd round of a draft the fans and media give you a lot more attitude. I wonder what might have been for Howard had he arrived at the club as a 3rd round selection rather than a 1st round pick.

Whilst it is a fair point you raise, I don't think it makes too much difference to the overall result. At least not in this scenario. It was a bizarre selection from us from the outset - Howard seems like a good kid but he's never had any AFL attributes IMO so whether he was taken in the first or third round matters little.

You've brought up Wood's name re: this a few times, but I think you sell him a little short. His first couple of years were spent developing and he improved quickly. I recall his second or third year playing in the NAB Cup (v Essendon?) where he was really impressive. He had/has some flaws and inconsistency has been at the top of the list, and he did stagnate for 2 years (2012-2013) but he's always had attributes to become a good player (powerful athlete, fast, strong, can jump).

No doubt Wood needs to step up further next season though.

[ledge]

Apparently Howard is an extremely funny guy, maybe his way of hiding the pressure he felt maybe, A bit of a larrikin at times but that's part of growing up, Callum Ward for example.

[Scorlibo]

It's a common trend isn't it. Without knowing to much about Jones or Tutt I'd say they would have had the same issues. It seems the coach had just given up on them and left them in the VFL to finish their season. It's disappointing to read and makes me feel it was the right choice in parting ways.

That's an obscure take from my perspective. McCartney has been potted far and wide on here for his continued faith in players who appear unlikely to make it, giving them opportunity after opportunity with the hope that it will click. At some point he had to let them sink or swim. The Jones example, where McCartney gave him some stick in one of the post-match pressers, ruling out his return to the side before Redpath had been given appropriate opportunity, is probably verging on being a little too tough. Howard's case is completely different though.

[boydogs]

This reads like Patrick Veszpremi's article after being delisted, or Shaun McKernan's. Trying to point to things that recruiters could hang their hats on as to why they still have improvement in them to pick them up. Reality is he's not good enough.

Regarding Macca, there's no doubt he gave up on a few players in the second half of the year and kept them in the VFL regardless of their VFL performances, but I think they all had their chances and didn't take them

[LostDoggy]

I was rapt he was delisted and we'd finally made the call that I think was obvious a year or so earlier. But I'm reading this thread outside a cafe wearing my 2014 VFL Premiers shirt. I wish the fella well wherever he plays.

[G-Mo77]

That's an obscure take from my perspective. McCartney has been potted far and wide on here for his continued faith in players who appear unlikely to make it, giving them opportunity after opportunity with the hope that it will click. At some point he had to let them sink or swim. The Jones example, where McCartney gave him some stick in one of the post-match pressers, ruling out his return to the side before Redpath had been given appropriate opportunity, is probably verging on being a little too tough. Howard's case is completely different though.

I was surprised Howard even got a look in TBH and Austin continued to plod away in the firsts time and time again, so yeah Macca did give them some good chances at the top level. If you're not getting much feedback though it makes it hard to improve in areas you're struggling with. Even if a player isn't up to the top level they shouldn't just be cast aside like yesterdays news which does seem like it happened and that truly is disappointing.

Someone did bring up more support staff may have helped in this area which is a fair point.

[F'scary]

Yep, at the end of the day, when all is said and done, he was an AFL player and no-one can take that away from him.

[Throughandthrough]

Well said. Christian Howard is not the first and won't be the last high draft pick to not make the grade. He wore our colours, did his best, yes we wish it had worked out both for us and him, but honestly with the high rates of depression in young men, I hope Christian stays well away from the ugly vitriol that gets posted about him (not here).


And on this site regularly in the past

[jeemak]

Boyd went through the elite pathway, and not only that, he was the elite in the elite pathway. I think he will thrive on the pressure of expectation.

Howard sounds like a well-rounded person in life away from competitive sport. But he also sounds like he lacked the absolute hunger and mental application to be the best AFL player he can be. That's not a knock on him as a person - some are simply more driven than others in this area.

Agreed. I was a pretty big backer of Howard until he played his mid-season games with us. He didn't look like a player that had committed to be stronger under pressure or over the ball, and it made his actual solid attributes die with him

As for the comments on the coach, it smacks of a journo pressing a line or theme to which a player answered very honestly and openly, which is now being perceived as a one way communication and effort issue.

The way I read it is McCartney backed Howard over a very long period of time and finally got sick of him coming to his office with the same old shit after the same old shitty senior performances.

A bit like Jones I guess.

When I look at Jones, Howard and Tutt I think it's probably no coincidence that the latter is the only one on our list (for now), and potentially the only one that could consider himself a little hard done by.

[jeemak]

I was surprised Howard even got a look in TBH and Austin continued to plod away in the firsts time and time again, so yeah Macca did give them some good chances at the top level. If you're not getting much feedback though it makes it hard to improve in areas you're struggling with. Even if a player isn't up to the top level they shouldn't just be cast aside like yesterdays news which does seem like it happened and that truly is disappointing.

Someone did bring up more support staff may have helped in this area which is a fair point.

How would you feel if players came into your office and said they would do the things you asked of them time and again, only to be served with something completely different time and again on game day?

One day, I reckon you might just give up and close the door on them. Especially if you were working at a poorly resourced club like ours and had better options for a decent return on investment in other areas.

[G-Mo77]

How would you feel if players came into your office and said they would do the things you asked of them time and again, only to be served with something completely different time and again on game day?

One day, I reckon you might just give up and close the door on them. Especially if you were working at a poorly resourced club like ours and had better options for a decent return on investment in other areas.

Did I not say that jeemak?

Give up and close the door? If that was the case then yeah I'm disappointed. The coaching staff has a players entire contract to get the best out of them. Throwing your hands up in the air and giving up like you're saying our coach did reflects poorly on our staff. I hope this wasn't the case at all.

[1eyedog]

How would you feel if players came into your office and said they would do the things you asked of them time and again, only to be served with something completely different time and again on game day?

One day, I reckon you might just give up and close the door on them. Especially if you were working at a poorly resourced club like ours and had better options for a decent return on investment in other areas.

I have had to sack employees in the past because they are not meeting their position description. Jones' position description is FF and his tasks / activities were get fitter, apply defensive pressure at the least and mark and kick goals on a regular basis. He failed miserably in all of the above so a better employee (Stringer) moved into his position.

[LostDoggy]

Just read the updates on this thread after watching that video BornADog put up yesterday (http://www.woof.net.au/forum/showthread.php?13884-Tom-Boyd-Under-Armour-IWILL). The voiceover guy says it all.

[Throughandthrough]

www.sanfl.com.au


Glenelg has lured Christian Howard back to Brighton Road as it continues to address its need for speed and clean skills.

Delisted by the Western Bulldogs after playing 20 AFL matches from 2011 to 2014, Howard boasts a neat left-foot kick and a willingness to carry the ball across lines.

The 23-year-old – who was selected with the Dogs’ No.15 pick in the 2009 AFL National Draft – is expected to play a role across half-back for the Tigers in 2015.

‘’He will probably be our player who plays across half-back who we can release as he uses the footy so well,’’ Glenelg football manager Matt Lokan said.

‘’We have been talking to Christian pretty much for the whole year about footy and life in general. So to have him return to Glenelg is fantastic.

‘’It is great for the younger boys to have someone from Glenelg who has played in the AFL system come back to the club.’’

It is understood Howard chose playing for the Bays ahead of an offer from VFL club Port Melbourne, in the event he isn’t selected in either the AFL National Draft or AFL Rookie Draft this year.

[GVGjr]

Good luck to him.