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AS a receptionist, Joel Griffiths makes a hell of a striker.
The evergreen Jets No.9 and 2008 Johnny Warren Medal winner has taken the first step towards life after football.
Griffiths, wife Bianca and childhood friend Jeff Sawtell have opened an Aussie Home Loans franchise at The Junction.
Though prepared to be the face of the business and man the front desk when available, Griffiths’ main focus is the Jets.
And top of the list is making amends for an ‘‘unacceptable’’ 4-1 capitulation to Wellington Phoenix.
‘‘We were pumped by Wellington Phoenix in all aspects,’’ Griffiths said.
‘‘Everyone is to blame.
‘‘I’m pretty sure the 11 players who started and even the ones who came off the bench would say they could have done more, whether through their actions on the field or something they could have said in the dressing sheds.
‘‘We weren’t compact enough and played as individuals rather than a team.
‘‘The fans have every right to get on our backs. That was unacceptable. That is not the way Newcastle fight for their jersey. Every player would be thinking the same.’’
Despite the inept display across the ditch, Griffiths believes it is not all gloom and doom.
‘‘Everyone is predicting us to get the wooden spoon,’’ Griffiths said. ‘‘That’s the challenge for us – to prove people wrong.
‘‘Yes, we have a lot to work on, but it’s only the third game.
‘‘The first two games, especially, we showed that we can compete.
‘‘I spoke to [former Jet] Andrew Durante after the Phoenix game.
‘‘When they lost to Perth in the opening game – they had ended the pre-season with a four-game losing streak – he was thinking, ‘I’m over this. I don’t know what to do. I am out of answers.’ He didn’t want out of the club, but he was down in the dumps.
‘‘Then they beat Central Coast 2-1 and pumped us.
‘‘All of a sudden he is on top of the world.
‘‘They are sitting fourth and he feels like his team are in contention.
‘‘That is what it takes. A couple of wins, a couple of things to go your way, a bit of self-belief, and all of a sudden you are back in it.
‘‘That is the good thing in sport: you always have next week to make amends.’’
Next for the Jets is a trip to Perth, where their lone A-League win was a 1-0 triumph in the inaugural season, nine years ago.
Before meeting the Jets on Saturday, the Glory host Melbourne Victory in a quarter-final of the FFA Cup at nib Stadium on Wednesday.
Although the west has been a graveyard for the Jets, Griffiths has fared well, scoring four goals in seven visits.
‘‘It is a tough place to play, but I enjoy it,’’ he said.
‘‘The main thing is we have to be a team against Perth, otherwise we will cop the same result.’’
Griffiths opened his season account with a header against the Phoenix.
‘‘I know I’m 35, but my body feels good,’’ he said.
‘‘I’m not as quick as I used to be, but I still have an eye for goal.’’
After starting on the right wing, Griffiths was moved centrally when Jeronimo replaced Edson Montaño in the 54th minute and coach Phil Stubbins reverted to a 4-4-2 formation.
‘‘It is nice to get a goal,’’ Griffiths said. ‘‘In a situation like that you have to try and get something out of the game, some confidence.
‘‘I have played alongside Jeronimo before and it worked OK.
‘‘He is lacking confidence at the moment, but we all know what he can do from his Adelaide days.’’
Off contract, Griffiths intends to play on for at least another season. He is also a realist. ‘‘My body feels good, but I’m 35, and at the end of the day that is what people look at. That is the reason for opening the business.
‘‘ Initially Bianca will be doing most of the work. She is a licensed mortgage broker, has a couple of degrees and is multi-talented.
‘‘Days off I will devote to the business.
‘‘I will be learning off Bianca and our business partner, Jeff.’’
Griff Laying some truth bombs:gent:
