Would you give up the grog?

[Roosterfarian]

If someone came to you as a youngster and said I'm going to give you a few million dollars over the next 10 or so years to be a professional footballer but you're going to have to stay completely sober...

Would you do it?

I wanna see a show of hands?

[Geohood]

I barely drink anyway haha.. Just stick to soft drink if you really want.. im more of a water guy....

[supermario]

Yes, if it meant my livelyhood.

[ism22]

Hard to say in the context of Todd Carney because I don't know about his life...

I didn't have a drop of alcohol until I was 23 because I tried to make it big with my chosen sport (trained since I was about 7.) Obviously I didn't have the talent, but at that stage if somebody had said "if you don't drink, I'll make you professional" it would have been a no brainer for me.

FWIW I think one reason I didn't make it (amongst the obvious lack of extreme, elite talent) was that I didn't go out and get sloshed with the boys. It made me fitter/healthier than everybody (I'd smash the beep tests, sprints, weights... whatever) but I didn't quite gel with the bigger scheme of things, or build the mateship/networking that others were pulling off. Also I was a bit tense because I took it too seriously... others weren't technically as fit/skilled, but relaxed a lot more and felt more comfortable with the others around them, which allowed them to pull off good form under intense pressure.

Not saying drinking is essential, but if I could do it all again I'd probably start younger and spend more time networking rather than pumping out those extra training sessions while the others are off drinking. If after that I was then told "mate, if you give up with the booze then you'll be a millionaire", I reckon it would be tough. Really tough because I would have built networks and a habit of having fun with all the boys. To take that away I'd risk coming across as a snob or brushing the blokes who have helped me become professional.

Again... not saying booze is essential, but I think the social aspect associated with it is really good and it would be hard to dump that. Nowadays I don't drink much, but I'll have a beer with my mates and the occasional bender. It would be really tough to go back to my old non-drinking life...

[TheLoneRooster]

In answer to your question 'farian, ABSO-FARKIN-LUTELY YES.

[Cockadoodledoo]

If someone came to you as a youngster and said I'm going to give you a few million dollars over the next 10 or so years to be a professional footballer but you're going to have to stay completely sober...

Would you do it?

I wanna see a show of hands?

I would but I am not an alcoholic...

[Guest]

I would but I am not an alcoholic...

Bingo! This is what people are missing. Todd may not have control over this. He can't just say okay enough, now I am going to be a good boy. He has a disease. It is called alcoholism.

[Guest]

Yes I would...

Probably break the promise the first week...A bit like Warnie trying to stay of the darts for $200,000. I remember Warnie was asked by someone if he was still smoking...his reply "like a green log".

[Guest]

Bingo! This is what people are missing. Todd may not have control over this. He can't just say okay enough, now I am going to be a good boy. He has a disease. It is called alcoholism.

You hit the nail on the head, and from what I gather he is still in the denial stage, meaning that he doesnt see that he has a problem.....

Once he does, hopefully he can say enough is enough and he will get help and know that he can never go back....

and in answer to the original question.....in a heartbeat.....

[Johnny Tobin]

I would - but I don't drink.

[Andrew Walker]

I would. But I rarely consume alcohol. It really is poison and a scourge on society. The last time I drank was New Years Eve I had 6 cans of tooheys and was absolutely pole axed and passed out just after midnight

[Chook Norris]

just like many here i don't drink all that much so.. ahha way too easy for me anyway..

[Guest]

I would. But I rarely consume alcohol. It really is poison and a scourge on society. The last time I drank was New Years Eve I had 6 cans of tooheys and was absolutely pole axed and passed out just after midnight

Is a warm up !!!

[Andrew Walker]

Is a warm up !!!

It is for someone with an alcohol problem

[Guest]

It is for someone with an alcohol problem

Haha...See Andy, I think you have the alcohol problem due to your lack of resistance to it.