Greater Western Sydney midfielder Tom Scully has been encouraged to remember the criticism he cops in the early years of his AFL career to steel himself to become a champion.
Taken at pick No.1 by Melbourne in the 2009 national draft, the 21-year-old has copped flak for both failing to live up to that rating and for leaving the Demons at the end of 2011 to join the fledgling Giants on a six-year deal believed to be worth $6 million.
Doubts continue to be raised about whether Scully can justify the pick or the money.
But GWS coach Kevin Sheedy believes the midfielder is steadily developing along a path towards proving the doubters wrong and doesn’t need any extra motivation by being shown articles suggesting he can’t.
“I don’t think he needs to be shown a headline, I think they’re embedded in his brain,” Sheedy told reporters.
“I’m telling you now, this guy will work through it.
“It will steel him for being a wonderful player for the Giants within two years.”
Scully was a key in the Giants building a significant lead over top-placed Essendon on Saturday, before both he and his club faded in the second half.
But Sheedy said the 56-gamer carried a heavy physical load in a young side and as he and the club matured, he would regularly display that sort of form for full games.
“When he’s starting to rack up about 90-100 games look out, I’ve got no doubt about that,” Sheedy said.
“I’ve seen some of the best players coming through their careers and their first 30-40 games they’re just trying to get their career up and going.
“But because he’s a person who left a club for another club, to help start the Giants in the west of Sydney, bang, he’s going to cop it.
“I just keep telling him suck it in mate, because one day you’re going to be a champion.”