In one of his last official addresses before stepping down as Stormers head coach, John Dobson issued a stark and passionate warning to his squad: “Complacency is the enemy. We haven’t won anything yet.”
The message came during a closed training session following the team’s encouraging performance in recent tournaments. While many players and fans celebrated the Stormers’ form, Dobson was quick to cut through the optimism with hard truth.
“Good results mean nothing if we don’t qualify, if we don’t finish the job,” Dobson said, according to insiders. “Momentum is fragile. One slip in focus and we’re out of contention.”
The speech reportedly came after several players showed signs of easing off in intensity during a morning session—something the coach was not willing to tolerate.
A Legacy of Standards
Throughout his tenure, Dobson was known for building a Stormers identity rooted in defense, heart, and humility. But as he prepares to hand over to Norman Laker, he made it clear that mental discipline is just as critical as physical performance.
“Talent doesn’t win tournaments. Hunger and consistency do,” Dobson told the team.
With Laker now officially at the helm, the Stormers continue their preparations for the next phase of competition. But Dobson’s parting words still echo around the locker room:
“Respect what you’ve built. But never believe the job is done.”
