Neill putting his legacy at risk

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LUCAS Neill has been a fine player, an inspirational leader and a wonderful ambassador. Now he threatens to trash his legacy. The Socceroos' 35 year-old skipper risks ageing disgracefully.

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Neill is just the latest athlete in the modern age whose understandable desire to prolong earning potential, and to achieve personal goals, has obscured the inevitability of sporting mortality.

Although this seems a particular problem in a Socceroos change room where there are more expired use-by dates than in Apu's Kwik-E-Mart. Where walking frames seem more useful than shin guards.

Ricky Ponting risked a similar fate. But wisely, when he lost the Australian captaincy, Ponting acknowledged his selection would be based on weight of runs. When they were measured in ounces, not tons, the great batsman walked.

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Neill, however, seems stuck in an alternate footballing universe. One in which his guile and strength still compensate for his lack of pace.

Where he does not look like a department store mannequin as the world's best strikers breeze by.

It is a quandary that is both sad and inevitable. Although one in which Neill's decisions, not just his birth certificate, have played a part.

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Neill's excellent European adventure ended in 2011. He then chose to play for petro-dollars with substandard clubs in the United Arab Emirates, rather than a team that would provide a solid World Cup preparation.

For any ageing professional athlete, the end is just a snapped ligament away. However, by feathering his nest, Neill put his performance - and subsequently his place in the national team - in jeopardy.

Yet, at a press conference in London on Monday, Neill said: "My question to the younger guys who want to play for Australia is: do you dream of playing for Australia? And, if you do, show me the hunger and desire. I think that's where we are lacking, our attitude towards our national team."

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That statement seems at odds with Neill's recent career choices. Something that suggests he, and perhaps others, feel they are owed an enduring place in the national team based on services rendered.

Former Socceroo John Aloisi makes sense when he says veterans such as Neill should not nominate their departure dates. Rather, they should know they are finished when their name is missing from the team sheet.

That cuts to the heart of a problem that has gripped Australian sport. Socceroos announce they will play on until the next World Cup, not simply play on in the hope they will be selected.

Cricketers state they will keep going until the next Ashes series, not merely hope they are still good enough to make the squad.

The selectorial tail too often wags the dog. When combined with national contract systems, and coaches who sometimes play favourites with pliable veterans, we risk creating a small and indulged pool of players who lack the most basic motivation.

The possibility of losing their spot.

It seemed telling that some veteran Socceroos expressed displeasure about coach Holger Osieck's sacking despite the team's dismal performances.

Clearly, they felt safe while the German was in charge. So safe their performances have suffered?

Neill was clearly upset that Fox Sports pundit Mark Bosnich was one of many critics to express the opinion he should step aside.

"Football is a game of opinions," said Neill. "He's entitled to his, (but) I expect better from people who've played the game and certainly people that call themselves my friend."

Of course, the mark of true friendship is telling someone how it is. Not just what they want to hear.  

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