Almost four decades later the advice keeps ageing well for St Kilda coach Ross Lyon.
He was a hard-nosed utility at Fitzroy in 1986 under legendary coach David Parkin, dealing with injury in his second season.
As the 15th-placed Saints take a four-game losing streak into Sunday's Marvel Stadium game against Sydney, Lyon says nothing has changed about the attitude needed to lift themselves out of the bottom four.
"David Parkin, when I was a young kid in 1986 ... as an AFL player, every day, you get up, you've got to work your arse off to get better," Lyon said this week.
"The game is giving us feedback. Three-and-a-half quarters or poor execution doesn't get it done.
"It has to be great spirit and great execution."
The Saints pushed Hawthorn last weekend and also had their moments in previous losses to Fremantle and Collingwood. The only disaster in this losing streak was the round-15 shocker against the Western Bulldogs.
But a lack of polish is costing them dearly.
"I thought we were fantastic - contested ball, pressure, all the metrics indicated we probably should have been able to win ... bar our execution," Lyon said of the Hawthorn loss.
"We just made some errors behind the ball, we coughed up some simple goals and left a lot on the table.
"I'm strongly of the view we played with great spirit. We don't need to rectify anything. I'd like to perpetuate it, but as we know, you're only as good as your next moment.
"There were some really good signs from us, without being perfect, obviously."
The Saints have made three changes, giving 204cm ruckman Max "Moose" Heath his AFL debut, while recalling Liam Stocker and Hugh Boxshall.
Meanwhile, if anyone is to bridge the gulf between the top nine and bottom nine on the ladder with seven rounds left, it will be Sydney.
But the Swans have their work cut out and must win on Sunday, which looms as a danger game.
They are 10th, three games plus a sizeable chunk of percentage behind eighth spot.
Injuries aren't helping with Tom Papley and Joel Amartey significant casualties this week. Riley Bice and Aarong Francis will take their places.
Unless Sydney make the finals, this will be their last game in Melbourne for the year.
