Marquee
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http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23216078-5006068,00.html
By David Davutovic
February 15, 2008 12:00am
THE A-League's top scorer Joel Griffiths has revealed that he almost quit the Newcastle Jets at the start of the season.
On the eve of Sunday's preliminary final clash against Queensland Roar, Griffiths admitted he was "hurt" after he was promised the captaincy by coach Gary van Egmond, only for it to be later handed to Jade North.
The striker, who has scored 13 goals this season, went AWOL just a fortnight from the opening game in August and even handed in a transfer request to the Jets.
"One thing that really hurt me was not being captain, it p..... me off a lot," said Griffiths, adding that there were personal issues at play.
"To be so close to Gary and not be given it when he did mention it to me, made me say, 'I don't want to play for this club'.
"I didn't go to training for a week, I didn't go to the photo session. I was asking for a transfer release.
"No one could get in contact with me. Then Adam (his brother) just said to me, 'stop being a d...head. I came all the way from Europe to play with you.'
"I thought I was mature enough to be the captain. But looking back, it's probably made me play better. I've taken more responsibility, even without having the armband.
"Now I couldn't care less - I probably wouldn't be a good captain anyway."
Griffiths now admits he acted like a "spoilt brat" and said the turning point came in the round seven game against the Central Coast when he flicked linesman Alex Glasgow in the groin at Bluetongue Stadium. The incident created worldwide headlines and he copped a spray from most of the people who mattered in his life.
"The turning point was the incident with the linesman," he said. "I was struggling to deal with these issues and it showed with the flick of the linesman.
"It was pretty embarrassing, but things happen for a reason and that pulled me in a little bit.
"A lot of people pulled my head in - my wife, my mum, the nan, friends, supporters, the CEO (John Tsatsimas).
"There was a lot said, I even went to see a doctor. I knew what I did was silly and I brought the game into disrepute and I regret it."
Griffiths said he had even set out to hurt people in the past. But having recently married his long-time partner, he is adamant he is a changed man and paid tribute to van Egmond's faith.
"I'm totally past it. When I go on the field, if it's a bad tackle, fair enough, and I try and get under the skin of defenders," he said.
"This season I haven't set out to hurt someone. In the past I probably have.
"Now I try and zone out a little bit more in games and just try and do the little things instead of getting caught up in the moment. I just try and get on with my football."
"If you don't have a manager that's 100 per cent behind you, I can't play for that manager. Dutchy (van Egmond) has been great, as well as the club. He always believed in me and that made me have confidence in doing well."
Griffiths, who is contracted to Newcastle for another season, said he still has ambitions to play overseas but is happy to remain with the Jets for the duration of his deal.
By David Davutovic
February 15, 2008 12:00am
THE A-League's top scorer Joel Griffiths has revealed that he almost quit the Newcastle Jets at the start of the season.
On the eve of Sunday's preliminary final clash against Queensland Roar, Griffiths admitted he was "hurt" after he was promised the captaincy by coach Gary van Egmond, only for it to be later handed to Jade North.
The striker, who has scored 13 goals this season, went AWOL just a fortnight from the opening game in August and even handed in a transfer request to the Jets.
"One thing that really hurt me was not being captain, it p..... me off a lot," said Griffiths, adding that there were personal issues at play.
"To be so close to Gary and not be given it when he did mention it to me, made me say, 'I don't want to play for this club'.
"I didn't go to training for a week, I didn't go to the photo session. I was asking for a transfer release.
"No one could get in contact with me. Then Adam (his brother) just said to me, 'stop being a d...head. I came all the way from Europe to play with you.'
"I thought I was mature enough to be the captain. But looking back, it's probably made me play better. I've taken more responsibility, even without having the armband.
"Now I couldn't care less - I probably wouldn't be a good captain anyway."
Griffiths now admits he acted like a "spoilt brat" and said the turning point came in the round seven game against the Central Coast when he flicked linesman Alex Glasgow in the groin at Bluetongue Stadium. The incident created worldwide headlines and he copped a spray from most of the people who mattered in his life.
"The turning point was the incident with the linesman," he said. "I was struggling to deal with these issues and it showed with the flick of the linesman.
"It was pretty embarrassing, but things happen for a reason and that pulled me in a little bit.
"A lot of people pulled my head in - my wife, my mum, the nan, friends, supporters, the CEO (John Tsatsimas).
"There was a lot said, I even went to see a doctor. I knew what I did was silly and I brought the game into disrepute and I regret it."
Griffiths said he had even set out to hurt people in the past. But having recently married his long-time partner, he is adamant he is a changed man and paid tribute to van Egmond's faith.
"I'm totally past it. When I go on the field, if it's a bad tackle, fair enough, and I try and get under the skin of defenders," he said.
"This season I haven't set out to hurt someone. In the past I probably have.
"Now I try and zone out a little bit more in games and just try and do the little things instead of getting caught up in the moment. I just try and get on with my football."
"If you don't have a manager that's 100 per cent behind you, I can't play for that manager. Dutchy (van Egmond) has been great, as well as the club. He always believed in me and that made me have confidence in doing well."
Griffiths, who is contracted to Newcastle for another season, said he still has ambitions to play overseas but is happy to remain with the Jets for the duration of his deal.
