Opinion Commentary & Media III

[Kimbo]

Its pretty much what we all think.

Right now we are MoR. If everything we want happens we won't be next year.

Exactly. I know it means I can't even BigFooty, but sometimes I just wish we'd get over ourselves and say 'Yeah, fair enough, despite some quibbles with a couple of bits.' I mean, it's not like we don't know that footy commentators, despite being paid for it, don't know lists in the same detail as your half-way fanatical fan.

 

[ferball]

Exactly. I know it means I can't even BigFooty, but sometimes I just wish we'd get over ourselves and say 'Yeah, fair enough, despite some quibbles with a couple of bits.' I mean, it's not like we don't know that footy commentators, despite being paid for it, don't know lists in the same detail as your half-way fanatical fan.

I reckon if he'd said this:

The Kangaroos will be a middle of the road side again in 2020 — they’ll be in the finals conversation if they have a better run with injuries than they did this year but if some key players go down they’ll find it tough.

Rather than this:

The Kangaroos will be a middle of the road side again in 2020 — they’ll be in the finals conversation if they have a good run with injuries as they did this year but if some key players go down they’ll find it tough.

It would have been a different story.

IE Jacobs, Daw, EVW all missed a season. Others missed large chunks of it. Our midfield is vulnerable to injury well it has been hopefully the young guys can counter that a bit if its an issue this year. We lost close games against the Giants (who beat us with class) and * without Higgo. That could have been the difference in itself - he averaged over 1 brownlow vote a game this year. Were s**t in the middle at the start of the season without Jed. He could have acknowledged that but said the opposite.

But otherwise its a reasonally accurate summation. Even the ruck comment. Campbell never made it at AFL level. (Might still but hasn't yet.) Xerri hasn't yet either. Daw may never play AFL again (he probably will but it hasn't happened yet.) That leaves us Larkey, Brown, Ben Mckay and Durds as back up ruckmen.

Our forward line is in good shape but as i said unless some younger players from the midfield step up then injuries will cost us again this year. Our backline is very vulnerable. If we lose Taz we're basically screwed. Younger players coming on could potentially cover that too. BBMac and Durds for example.

That article would have been very different and alot better if those couple of words were changed.

 

[roos_tt29]

I reckon if he'd said this:

The Kangaroos will be a middle of the road side again in 2020 — they’ll be in the finals conversation if they have a better run with injuries than they did this year but if some key players go down they’ll find it tough.

Rather than this:

The Kangaroos will be a middle of the road side again in 2020 — they’ll be in the finals conversation if they have a good run with injuries as they did this year but if some key players go down they’ll find it tough.

It would have been a different story.

IE Jacobs, Daw, EVW all missed a season. Others missed large chunks of it. Our midfield is vulnerable to injury well it has been hopefully the young guys can counter that a bit if its an issue this year. We lost close games against the Giants (who beat us with class) and * without Higgo. That could have been the difference in itself - he averaged over 1 brownlow vote a game this year. Were s**t in the middle at the start of the season without Jed. He could have acknowledged that but said the opposite.

But otherwise its a reasonally accurate summation. Even the ruck comment. Campbell never made it at AFL level. (Might still but hasn't yet.) Xerri hasn't yet either. Daw may never play AFL again (he probably will but it hasn't happened yet.) That leaves us Larkey, Brown, Ben Mckay and Durds as back up ruckmen.

Our forward line is in good shape but as i said unless some younger players from the midfield step up then injuries will cost us again this year. Our backline is very vulnerable. If we lose Taz we're basically screwed. Younger players coming on could potentially cover that too. BBMac and Durds for example.

That article would have been very different and alot better if those couple of words were changed.

The thing a lot of these "pundits" forget is that there was one player who had a very limited pre-season last year and started the season not 100% fit.

BBB.

Imagine if he'd played the first 5 weeks (or even 3 in the first 5) weeks fully fit rather than having to find touch...
#whatifs

If we can just get a larger portion of the list hitting pre-season from day 1 and make it through unscathed, Round 1 2020 will be verrrry interesting

 

[lockheed]

The thing a lot of these "pundits" forget is that there was one player who had a very limited pre-season last year and started the season not 100% fit.

BBB.

Imagine if he'd played the first 5 weeks (or even 3 in the first 5) weeks fully fit rather than having to find touch...
#whatifs

If we can just get a larger portion of the list hitting pre-season from day 1 and make it through unscathed, Round 1 2020 will be verrrry interesting

Who knows. Brad might still be coach.

 

[Dirty_11]

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Gary Buckenara analyses North Melbourne’s list after the 2019 season

There are 32 players on North Melbourne’s list who Gary Buckenara currently rates as either C or D-graders. How these players develop in 2020 will determine if the Kangaroos’ next step is finals, or the bottom four.

Gary Buckenara, Herald Sun
Subscriber only
|
October 21, 2019 7:35am


North Melbourne’s list is delicately poised and the next 2-3 years are critical — is this club going to surge into finals and premiership contention or will it go backwards?

There are 32 players on the list I’ve rated as C and D-grade (developing) players, which is a massive number. It means the rebuild is entering an important phase, with the spotlight on players who have been around for a few seasons and who should be taking the next step in their careers and establishing themselves as good AFL players.

Early in 2019 we didn’t see the improvement in the next wave, the likes of Luke Davies-Uniacke, Luke McDonald, Jy Simpkin, Paul Ahern, Nick Larkey and Sam Durdin, which was a major concern and ultimately why Brad Scott stepped down as coach.

But under new coach Rhyce Shaw, we finally saw the development of most of them as well as the emergence of Tarryn Thomas — who is a star in the making — Bailey Scott and Cameron Zurhaar, which has everyone at North Melbourne excited about the future.

The question is: Was that form a flash in the pan?

The Kangaroos need it not to be, they need those guys to keep improving over the pre-season to take further steps forward early in 2020 to help Shaun Higgins and Todd Goldstein, who have shown enormous faith in the club by re-signing despite rival interest, as well as Jack Ziebell, Robbie Tarrant, Ben Brown and Jamie Macmillan who have carried such a huge load for many years.

Jack Ziebell with Rhyce Shaw, who had a major impact after taking over the Roos. Picture: AFL Photos

The current lack of star power, however, remains a major concern in the short-term.

I do like North Melbourne’s forward set-up with Brown, Larkey and Zurhaar but Mason Wood is a player who needs to do a lot more. He’s dynamic at his best but he’s far too inconsistent and needs to bridge the gap between his best and worst performances.


Jared Polec and Jasper Pittard were slow to get going after crossing from Port Adelaide but improved as the season went on and should get better next year, which bodes well for the new coach as they’re two quality players who can add much-needed creativity to a side that has, for far too long, been one-dimensional.

Dom Tyson didn’t have much luck with injury but needs to show more next year, while Simpkin needs to make his flashes of brilliance the norm rather than just a glimpse of what he can produce. That’s his big challenge for 2020 — he’ll be a really interesting player to follow next season to track his development. The Kangaroos need him to improve exponentially.
Jared Polec improved throughout the season for the Roos. Picture: AAP Images
Jared Polec improved throughout the season for the Roos. Picture: AAP Images

LIST NEEDS

The ruck stocks are thin, so adding depth in that area will be important in case Goldstein — who has been so durable throughout his career — goes down with injury, while the retirement of Scott Thompson in defence leaves the Kangaroos short on experience so I’d be looking at an experienced defender to help Tarrant and the development of the likes of Sam Durdin.

LIST BREAKDOWN

A: Shaun Higgins, Jack Ziebell, Ben Cunnington, Ben Brown

B+: Todd Goldstein, Robbie Tarrant

B: Nil

B-: Jed Anderson, Ben Jacobs, Jasper Pittard, Jared Polec

C+: Marley Williams, Paul Ahern, Shaun Atley, Mason Wood, Jamie Macmillan, Dom Tyson

C: Majak Daw, Taylor Garner, Luke McDonald, Trent Dumont, Ben McKay, Sam Durdin, Kayne Turner, Ed Vickers-Willis, Aaron Hall, Tom Campbell

C-: Nil

Developing*: Tarryn Thomas, Cameron Zurhaar, Jy Simpkin, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Nick Larkey

Developing: Will Walker, Kyron Hayden, Bailey Scott, Curtis Taylor, Joel Crocker, Tristan Xerri, Tom Murphy, Tom McKenzie, Lachlan Hosie


DRAFT STRATEGY

Ball use by hand and foot remains one of North Melbourne’s biggest issues all over the ground and recruiting classy distributors in the draft has to be the priority. I wouldn’t be looking at bringing in any players who will develop into just good honest role players — they need potential stars, guys you can build you team around and have the ability to change the course of a game. Invest in quick players who use the ball well and make good decisions.

CRYSTAL BALL

The Kangaroos will be a middle of the road side again in 2020 — they’ll be in the finals conversation if they have a good run with injuries as they did this year but if some key players go down they’ll find it tough.

A lot will depend on the development of their young players and whether they are good enough to take the next step and be the difference between staying in the 8-12 bracket or jumping up the ladder. If the talent North Melbourne has identified isn’t up to AFL standard and playing good regular senior football, then they will stay exactly where they are now or, drop down and be a bottom four team over the next few seasons.

What a generic, lazy, piece of s**t this analysis is. Seriously, why bother. ******* idiot.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Dirty_11]

My biggest gripe with this article and general list analysis is this line;
“ The current lack of star power, however, remains a major concern in the short-term.”

A spine of Brown, Goldstein, Cunnington, Higgins and Tarrant is in the mix of any club in the comp IMHO.

Those five are stars at any club and not all clubs have 5 of them.

I agree there is a lack of the next tier of certified week in week out B level players like Polec, Pittard.

We all know there is an upcoming group of potential other stars on the list as well and the if these guys become that next lvl this year - we move up the ladder.

‘Star power?’ what is he? An 11yo kid.


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[Bigeasy]

‘Star power?’ what is he? An 11yo kid.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Lingy says it's all about the superstars.

 

[Liam Boy]

I'm convinced the existence of "Star Power" is something that benefits us in the long run. If every Collingwood player is a star then they all demand the wages of a star. Not a problem for us.

 

[ferball]

Star power is shorthand for elite players who can win games off their own bat.

 

[tales129]

The best part about some absolute flog in the media giving you a grade as an individual - is rocking up day one with rhyce having taped your C- rating to your locker and asking you to prove the campaigner wrong

 

[koshari]

actually a pretty good piece from jake niall on the trade period,

What didn't happen in the trading period

By Jake Niall
October 21, 2019 — 3.52pm


There will be Carlton fans miffed that the Blues didn't land Tom Papley, Sydney supporters bummed that Joe Daniher won't be in red and white next year and followers of Brisbane, Adelaide and Collingwood flattened by the absence of an incoming, brand-name player.But if those fans didn't end the trade period in a festive mood, as perhaps St Kilda and West Coast folk did, it's quite possible that their clubs will be better placed in the perpetual premiership race, either because they didn't land particular targets or, in the case of the Lions, Crows and Pies, didn't pursue anyone of perceived high value (Callum ah Chee could be handy for the Lions though).Essendon have held on to Joe Daniher.Credit:Getty ImagesIn the AFL trading circus, every trade represents a kind of bet. Precious few of these bets are low-risk and low-cost, with a high pay-off – Richmond landing Tom Lynch as a free agent is a rare example. Some are more risky, with a high collect if the wager lands, such as Fremantle getting Jesse Hogan.Some are expensive bets where the outlay is justified. The Tigers gave up pick six and a hefty contract for Dion Prestia in 2016, widely viewed as "overs" for the departing Sun. He's a two-time premiership Tiger today. Shaun Burgoyne, then nursing a knee injury, was seen as costly to Hawthorn in 2009.
Trading and drafting
Sydney simply didn't value Daniher as highly as Essendon did
Conversely, Collingwood bringing back Dayne Beams was a relatively expensive trade that's not looking flash. If they'd not reached a deal last year – as Carlton, the Swans and Dons couldn't in the Papley/Daniher love triangle – the Pies would still have their first pick this year and a little more room in their loaded salary cap.There's a natural inclination for all of us to barrack for the trade, and in particular, to lavish hope and praise on the clubs that land players with name recognition. I recall desperate Richmond fans going berserk when it appeared that the Tigers WOULDN'T draft Ben Cousins in late 2008, prompting the Tigers to bow to people power.Port Adelaide were hyped for landing Tom Rockliff, Steven Motlop and Jack Watts in 2017 – and promptly went backwards (as did North Melbourne after a succession of trades in 2018), but the Power hit the jackpot last year by letting Chad Wingard and Jared Polec go and picking Zak Butters and Xavier Duursma, with Conor Rozee, in the draft.So, be careful what you wish for and wait to see what unfolds. The Collingwood faithful weren't happy about losing Beams in 2014, but look at what they gained: Jordan De Goey (pick five), Jack Crisp (the best steak knives in any recent trade) and Levi Greenwood.The 2019 trade period was overblown and overrated in terms of quality on offer. Only two players of genuine proven quality, Tim Kelly and Brad Hill, were exchanged. Daniher, of course, was the biggest story and the dominant deadline narrative was about those left at the altar: Daniher, Papley and Jack Martin.West Coast and the Saints paid hefty premiums for Kelly and Hill, who should improve those clubs' immediate and medium-term prospects.




Joe Daniher's planned trade from Essendon to Sydney has failed, subsequently ending Tom Papley's touted move to Carlton.
St Kilda's other trades – Dougal Howard (tall back), Zak Jones (outside run), Paddy Ryder (ruck support) and Dan Butler (small forward) – fitted their needs, but only in hindsight will we be able to judge whether these more modest deals were winners or not.
Indeed, the instant grading and ranking of trades is a complete nonsense, but it has become necessary content – more so since an entrepreneurial Craig Hutchison and the AFL joined forces to expand what I term the Player Movement Industrial Complex – a new media economy within the game (and which includes this paper's online version, plus Channel Nine, which increased online streams significantly).

This new economy of player movement again produced massive interest and numbers in 2019, with the AFL and Hutchy's Crocmedia figures showing Trade Radio increased streams from 1.367 million to 2.96 million, peaking at 737,000 on deadline day.

Melbourne keen on Jack Martin if he becomes keen on them
These numbers belied the reality that there were more platforms and journalists covering this trade period than actual trades. So, there were deadly dull days, as the Daniher non-deal became the period's laborious answer to Middle East peace talks, and media hoped that Ollie Wines – or someone of note – would come into play and fill the content void.
The trade period, thus, has become a media property that demands action. We need decent free agents and players to find new clubs, with the free exchange of first round picks. But this year's greatest recruiting stories actually were Richmond's brilliant use of the new supplementary pre-season rookie (Sydney Stack) and the exhumed mid-season draft (Marlion Pickett!).
We want frenzied trading, but many of the clubs, wisely, didn't enter the betting ring. Or if they did, they confined themselves to small outlays – giving up fringe players for late picks or average players for second/third rounders. Just $3 box quinellas.

The only guaranteed way to not lose on the punt, after all, is to avoid making bets.

 

[Billy Not Really]

Despicable.

 

[Sillygit]

Despicable.

to say she's a dog with a bone would be unfair, cause once they get the meat off and the marrow out it will eventually just become bits that the dog isn't interested in.

but she is a bitch, so there's that.

 

[gokangas]

Despicable.

Probably will cost us a decent quid as Scott hasn't been picked up by another club. A big financial hole? Suppose it depends on your definition of big.

 

[koshari]

Probably will cost us a decent quid as Scott hasn't been picked up by another club. A big financial hole? Suppose it depends on your definition of big.

so what, its like you have hust paid off your mortgage and your now squabbling over a monthly credit card bill.

 

[gokangas]

so what, its like you have hust paid off your mortgage and your now squabbling over a monthly credit card bill.

Yep - as I said, I am sure there will be a big quid. How big? Don't care too much tbh. Worth it.

 

[scooby1279]

Despicable.

well she does get some info from afl house...

 

[Snake_Baker]

"North is in a big financial hole because it has to pay-out ex-CEO, Coaches & List Manager."

Not to mention carrying the AFLW and the politically based appointments.

It was inevitable that it would all come to a head.

 

[DEVO]

"North is in a big financial hole because it has to pay-out ex-CEO, Coaches & List Manager."

Not to mention carrying the AFLW and the politically based appointments.

It was inevitable that it would all come to a head.

You are Caroline Wilson aren’t you?
Don’t deny it, like the Sillygit said, you’re like a dog with a bone.

 

[Snake_Baker]

You are Caroline Wilson aren’t you?
Don’t deny it, like the Sillygit said, you’re like a dog with a bone.

Some bizarre analogies there.

The political parasitism was always going to become a burden when the club was on the nose. If folks are concerned about possible Tassie relocation, whilst ignoring the added financial burden that comes with this, then they have a blinkered version of the overall situation.

All of this originates from having non football people on the board in the first place.

We should NEVER have gone down this path.

 

[Rusty Buckets]

About a month ago I'd heard chatter that the AFL would pick up the tab on Scott's payout provided we played an additional game in Hobart in 2020. I know Buckley is on the record as saying that 4 games would be the maximum, but I'm also old enough to remember John Howard saying there'd be no GST.

 

[Mav]

Some bizarre analogies there.

The political parasitism was always going to become a burden when the club was on the nose. If folks are concerned about possible Tassie relocation, whilst ignoring the added financial burden that comes with this, then they have a blinkered version of the overall situation.

All of this originates from having non football people on the board in the first place.

We should NEVER have gone down this path.

What do Russell Gibbs, Eddie McGuire, Jeff Kenneth and Peggy O'Neil have in common? They run successful football clubs having played a total of 0 AFL games. Now compare that to our president. But yeah, bang on about non football people!!

 

[Hearts to hearts]

Despicable.

No way to the * mouthpiece.

 

[Rusty Buckets]

No way to the * mouthpiece.

That's exactly what Glenn said.

 

[WD Roo]

About a month ago I'd heard chatter that the AFL would pick up the tab on Scott's payout provided we played an additional game in Hobart in 2020. I know Buckley is on the record as saying that 4 games would be the maximum, but I'm also old enough to remember John Howard saying there'd be no GST.

I'm old enough to remember Bob Hawke saying no child will live in poverty by 1990!