Cochrane, Makepeace and Clayton

[The invisible mullet]

For North to be a real chance in the finals (whether they come 4-8) they can't have these blokes playing a role. Give them some games during the year by all means but they were yards behind their opposite numbers last year. North's worst 6 players last year were pretty ordinary - with that in mind who should get a go in front of them?

 

[Shinboners]

Can someone please explain Stuart Cochrane to me? He seems to me to be a poor man's Shane Clayton, but at least with Clayton, you know that he's got a bit of pace and has an uncanny ability to make space for himself. If only Clayton could improve his kicking (to Darren Jarmen levels would be wonderful, but I'd accept it if he could simply pass the ball straight into Carey's chest). Makepeace, much to my amazement, played 22 games for us in 2000....not the most skilled player, but he plays with a little bit of grunt....I'd like to see him tried in a tagging role. Troy, take a leaf out of Peter Bell's book to see where a bit of determination can take you.

Still, I'd be very surprised to see all three in a North team in 2001, although I'd be even more surprised to see Calthorpe named just once...even as an emergency

. I would think that (provided they're fit and keen) Sinclair and McLaren will take up two spots and at least one of our young draft picks will be in the senior side come round 1. Then there's Shannon Motlop and possibly Brady Rawlings. Our mantra in '01....skills in, long bombs out.

 

[The invisible mullet]

The fact that Makepeace got 22 games says more about our lack of depth than anything - he had a good year but one suspects he would have got a handful of games if we had a bit more quality in our list. Clayton and Cochrane are both frustrating players, the former because he gets a reasonable amount of the ball but usually wastes it, the latter because he appears to have a leather allergy and the only tackle he could break would be his own.

 

[Shinboners]

While I agree our lack of depth was one reason why Makepeace got so many games, the other thing is that he took his chance and didn't get dropped. Others like Clayton, Cochrane, Rawlings, and Motlop didn't take their chances and got dropped during the year.

However, after the draft, I did a rough best line up for 2001, and Makepeace wasn't in there. Off memory, the side was something like:

B: Archer, Martyn, Blakey
HB: King, McCartney, Pickett
C: Sinclair, Simpson, Colbert
HF: McLaren, Carey, Abraham
F: S.Motlop, Rocca, Grant
Foll: McKernan, Stevens, Harvey
Inter: Burton, Lange, Dylan Smith, D.Motlop

Dylan Smith and Daniel Motlop are in because it seems that they're highly rated by the recruiting staff and are expected to play senior footy in 2001.

[This message has been edited by Shinboners (edited 02 January 2001).]

 

[Aussie_Roo]

I think you are a bit harsh on Shannon Motlop there Shinboners? Last year, he seem to have an ever lasting ankle injury, then when he did make it into the team he broke his leg.. I think he is a real talent, and hopefully will get his opportunity next year.

 

[Carey_is_King]

He has some skills, but he is a lazy player who will let you down when you need him most. I doubt he will be there in 2002 unless he gets his act together this year.

------------------
Trample the Weak,
Hurdle the Dead.

 

[Shinboners]

Aussie Roo

Shannon Motlop does have talent, but it's a matter of how he uses it. It's also a matter of how he reacts to getting dropped. I know he had injuries and had to be dropped, but he was also dropped for lack of form on other occassions. On pure talent, he would leave Peter Bell for dead. But the thing is that Bell worked his guts out to get the most out of his ability, and that is what made Bell a valuable player for us while Shannon Motlop gets filed under "potential".

 

[warrior]

In my weaker moments I feel sorry for Stuart Cochrane.
You should recall he was a preseason compensatory selection in 1995 for Peter Mann who went to Fremantle.
We were allowed to select the best 16 year old player in the Country.
Stuart is the nephew of Peter Jonas, a great player whose career was cut short by a horror run of injuries.
Stuart came to North from Adelaide in 1996 and asked for the number 45 worn by Jonas.
Obviously with this background there has been enormous pressure on Stuart to perform
at the top level.
Unfortunately he has his limitations and while he has played 12 senior games, now at 22 years of age,he must be disappointed .

Perhaps this year may be the turnaround!!

Unfortunately for North, Essendon had the the same opportunity in 1995 with a preseason compensatory selection for Todd Riley who went to Fremantle.

Their choice from Avondale was Mathew Lloyd!!!


warrior

 

[kymhodgemansmo]

Note that thy did have the first pick - not us

 

[warrior]

Note-- It would not have made any difference!!!

warrior

 

[kymhodgemansmo]

Are you suggesting we would have taken Cochrane over LLoyd.


I think not.

So it may have made a minor difference.

 

[croode]

Note: we passed up on Steven King & Chad Morrison

 

[warrior]

kymhodgemansmo

It is obvious you do not know the facts and have misinterpreted my reply.

The facts are that North did not consider any other player than Stuart Cochrane for this preferential pick. He was a prize player in Adelaide with a known North pedigree,namely Peter Jonas.

Thus it made no difference who went first.
Essendon had settled on Lloyd ,North had settled on Cochrane.

There were plenty of other 16 year old players available at the time who could have been picked besides Cochrane or Lloyd eg

David Wirrapunda Eastern u18`s
Heath Black Oakleigh u18`s
Michael Gardiner No 1 in 1996 draft
etc etc etc

warrior

 

[dyson]

I thought that Stuart Cochrane showed some promise in the final against Hawthorn last year. I have also been most impressed with the way he conducts himself at club functions, namely the North Melbourne Past Player Functions. I did not know he is the newphew of Peter Jonas. I hope he retains number 45. As for Troy Makepeace he is a gusty player. The Kangaroos would of been in a worse position last year without the contribution of Troy. Last year the Kangas never got out of the bunker. Give the players a break.

 

[Rooboy 96]

Warrior... it must be so hard to get it right now... I am so amazed at how Football smart you really are... so being so smart can you you tell me who will be number 1 in the 2001 national draft...

Give it a go smartboy...

 

[35eye]

I agree with your coments, Dyson.

Three different types of players each have made separate contributions to the team.

As a premiership player, if Shane Clayton hasn't done enough to prove his worth to the supporters then I don't know what more he can do.

Stuart Cochrane showed an awesome display of guts in the finals. The way he threw himself at the play & attempted to capitalise on each opportunity is probably everything that the coaching staff asked of him. I honestly love to watch the boy play whether in the VFL comp last year or hopefully many more seniors games this year.

I am a big fan of Troy Makepeace. I believe that he himself was never too cocky last season to think that he deserved open entry in to the side based on his previous week's form. I heard that when talked to his team mentors about this very issue that he was consoled by the fact that they all felt that they were going through a slump in the mid to late season period & I reckon his confidence improved throughout the finals. Troy also has John Longmire as player manager & you couldn't ask for better backing than the guy who made your number legendary. I reckon he will go on to be a great club leader in the coming years.

 

[warrior]

Booooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rooboy96 you make me feel like Wayne playing against the Swans at the SCG. As in round 5 in 2000,despite his 24 kicks,six handballs,
11 marks, and 3 goals , his smartness received plenty of boos but no Brownlow votes!


Neville Stibbard,Recruiting Manager,stated on TV at the October 2000 National Draft that he already knew who the top 50 players would be in the 2001 National Draft.
This is because of the number of recruiters now available,the number of controlled junior comps, the introduction of the Draft Camp ,observations and tests at the draft Camps etc

Obviously all clubs are in the same position.

I am not a recruiter, although I had some involvement in the U19 days.

Thus I have no idea who the No 1 Draft pick will be in 2001. I suggest you ring Neville on Monday at the Club and he being the expert may tell you!!!!!

warrior

 

[Carey_is_King]

35eye/Dyson,

You ask what more Clayton has to do.
Hit a leading forward (one of ours) on the chest with a pass would be a good start.

Cochrane's uncle ? Who cares ? No45 ? So what? The guy is an average player, very average.
If he is still at the club this time next year I will be very surprised.

Makepeace at least shows some heart and reasonable skills, but AFL material ? I don't think so. Club leader ? I doubt he will go the distance to be a regular player, much less a leader.

All personal opinions after all, but time will tell.

------------------
Trample the Weak,
Hurdle the Dead.

[This message has been edited by Carey_is_King (edited 07 January 2001).]

 

[35eye]

Coming from you CIK, that doesn't mean much. I doubt you'll be a North supporter post-Carey era so you probably won't see Makey reach his best.

 

[Carey_is_King]

I guarantee I will hang around if Makepeace is still in the colours - just for you.

------------------
Trample the Weak,
Hurdle the Dead.

 

[The invisible mullet]

I accept that my initial post might have been a bit harsh but it it was meant to be realistic - whatever the respective merits of Clayton, Cochrane and Makepeace as players might be they are a couple of skill levels below the sort of players we need in a competitive finals side.

 

[croode]

Have to agree with CIK.
The midfield has to improve their skill level markedly this coming season. Gone are the days of getting the ball and bombing it into Carey and co. Whereas in the past he was good enough to do the job, he now needs assistance with more precise delivery of the ball to avoid his body receiving too much battering, thus prolonging his career.
There is no point players such as Clayton, Simpson and others being good enough to get the ball and not being put to good use. This then leads to the turnover of the ball, the backline put under a lot of pressure and subsequently high scores kicked against us.
I am hopeful that the addition of Sinclair, McLaren, D. Smith and Harris will give the midfield a bit more pace and class to go with the grit and determination of Stevens and Harvey with the backup of King and Pickett.
So Simpson, Makepeace, Clayton, Cochrane and even Grant will need to improve on last season to keep their positions in the team.

 

[kymhodgemansmo]

Excuse Me mouthpiece,

I merely stated that North would have taken Lloyd, a fact Pagan made clear prior to taking Cochrane, and yes he was our next pick.

Simple, Essendon beat us to the punch, you inferred otherwise, so obviously you want tio make a hero of yourself by bagging others on some moot point you are trying to make juat because, like most other North fans would know, Peter frigging Jonas is his uncle.

I merely stated that North would have taken Lloyd had we been given first pick.

How does that make me ill informed mouth????

Originally posted by warrior:
kymhodgemansmo

It is obvious you do not know the facts and have misinterpreted my reply.

The facts are that North did not consider any other player than Stuart Cochrane for this preferential pick. He was a prize player in Adelaide with a known North pedigree,namely Peter Jonas.

Thus it made no difference who went first.
Essendon had settled on Lloyd ,North had settled on Cochrane.

There were plenty of other 16 year old players available at the time who could have been picked besides Cochrane or Lloyd eg

David Wirrapunda Eastern u18`s
Heath Black Oakleigh u18`s
Michael Gardiner No 1 in 1996 draft
etc etc etc

warrior

 

[warrior]

kymhodgesmansmo
It makes you
An illinformed arseh*le getting a kick out of having a nickname like a footballer.

The only smell of ligament you have ever experienced is when you farted in excitment trying to write that rubbish!!!!!!!


warrior

 

[Daphne]

I have always thought that Makepeace has the potential of a good captain, this year will be a make or break one for him.