Adam's lucky sea change

NEWCASTLE HERALD

By James Gardiner

THIS time last season Adam Griffiths's soccer career was going nowhere.

His club, Brentford, were on the slippery slide towards relegation to the English fourth tier.

Griffiths was slogging it out on muddy pitches before a few thousand at Griffin Park, and playing uninspiring, route-one football.

"I was in a rut," Griffiths said this week as he prepared for the Jets' grand final. "I was not enjoying the type of football we were playing and the team was struggling.

"This time of the year in England is the most difficult. It is when teams do either really well or they go the other way. The weather is not the best and it can be a real slog."

Twin Joel had been in Adam's ear, trying to persuade him to return to Australia and the Jets.

In the end, it did not take much convincing.

"There were opportunities to stay in England but not in the league I wanted," Griffiths said. "When I came back during a break [in the season], Joel showed me a few tapes. I watched the semi-final against Sydney [last season] and saw the reaction of the crowd.

"The style of football was a good advertisement. It showed Newcastle were a team that was willing to play football. I enjoy playing the game the way it is supposed to be played. I saw it as a good opportunity for me to come back and freshen up."

Things could not have worked out better.

Revitalised by a move to midfield, Griffiths has been an integral part in the Jets' march towards the grand final.

Griffiths always had talent, but his time overseas added a new edge to his game.

"When you go overseas you have to be mentally tough," Griffiths said.

"It is not a game that is fun to play. It is a job and you have to work really hard. You have to be better than the rest or you get spat out the other side.

"It is definitely something I learnt over the four years. You find something else about yourself that creates that toughness."

That toughness will be never more important than tomorrow. The Mariners, led by hard nuts Mile Jedinak and John Hutchinson, won the battle of the midfield in the 3-0 win over the Jets in the major semi-final a fortnight ago.

They got the better of 50-50 battles and were able to get a healthy supply of possession to the feet of danger men John Aloisi and Sasho Petrovski.

"It is my job to make sure I win tackles, but it is up to everyone in the team to show that they are willing to die for the cause," Griffiths said.

"If we do that and stick together as a team we will come out on top."

Griffiths could not hide his disappointment after the Mariners loss. He stormed off the pitch and took his frustration out on a dressing room door.

"I was furious because we had such a good opportunity to make sure we made the grand final," he said.

"Luckily, we beat Queensland and get to make things right against the Mariners."

Adam's partner, Lilly Brown, has joined him from England, and he attributes his good form to a happy home life.

"She has been a real positive for me," he said.

"She has supported me with my football. If it was not for her, I would not be playing the football I am."

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Article Source: http://theherald.yourguide.com.au/news/sport/soccer/adams-lucky-sea-change/1188647.html