Experience Wins every time
An AFL Grand Final is an experience of a lifetime. The atmosphere is electric, and you leave in no doubt that you have been to a major event. The recent Grand Final between Geelong and Sydney was a non-event on the field, with Geelong absolutely destroying the Swans. Pundits were predicting the Swans would run away with the game because Geelong was too old and too slow, but how wrong they were. And how quickly and easily people are prepared to overlook experience and everything that it brings.
One player stood out – Joel Selwood. There is nothing he has not achieved in the game on the field, but it was his performance off the field that was truly inspiring. From carrying the child of his good mate through the banner at the start of the game, to his grace and respect in his post-match speech, handing his footy boots to the child who presented him with his premiership medal, greeting a supporter with genuine affection and shared joy, advising his younger team mates to go easy on the alcohol during the celebrations, right through to a backhanded crack at the Geelong critics during their Monday celebrations – nothing like returning serve to those who want to criticise you from the safety of a keyboard.
Joel Selwood – you are a true legend of a man.
For me the most striking feature of what unfolded on the field was that for all the pre-game confidence of the Swans youngsters and the experts, the Swans were seriously outgunned by a harder, more professional, more experienced and tougher team of men. Youthful exuberance and enthusiasm will get you so far, but on the big jobs on the big stage nothing beats experience. The Swans will be back, but this was not their time.
So here is where I compare myself to Joel Selwood and the Geelong Cats – or not!
The internet is full of incessant self praise, confidence, and outright misleading and deceptive conduct of some lawyers, mostly those with very little experience. Experience counts – in my case over 25 years of hard yards. Representing thousands of real people counts. Arguing hundreds of cases before Judges counts. Having long-standing professional relationships with a wide network of legal professionals, expert witnesses, and leading Barristers counts. Working harder than the next person, thinking about your clients’ cases when you are not at work, and genuinely hurting when people are confronted by injustice. This all counts. Having a genuine client first approach counts.
Lauding the work life balance, self praise about “resilience”, posting selfies on social media, blowing your trumpet about your success – all well and good – but none of that helps someone who needs help when they are in a hole. When the chips are down do you go with experience, hard work and a man for others, or someone with a great Linkedlin feed or Instagram page?
If you have experienced an injustice and you feel overwhelmed, then you can rely on my experience, my hard work, and my ability to fight for the result. Talk is cheap, action is what counts.
If you have sustained an injury, Toby Tancred can help. He can provide you with legal advice, investigate your matter and represent you if you need to commence legal proceedings. Toby Tancred is a Law Society Personal Injury Accredited Specialist – one of only a handful in regional and rural NSW – and has been recognised by Doyle’s Guide as a Recommended Work Injury Compensation Lawyer for two years running. Doyle’s Guide has also named Toby Tancred Solicitor as a Recommended Asbestos & Dust Diseases Compensation Law Firm. More recently Toby Tancred has been awarded Leading Personal Injury Lawyer in Australia by Lawyer Monthly. Toby Tancred has the experience, knowledge and ability to help all injured people in difficult times.