Pig

Jay-Z

North's Enforcer
Joined
Sep 30, 2008
Posts
8,118
Likes
10,261
Location
Melbourne
AFL Club
North Melbourne
#26
I don't think he was any worse a player last year or two years ago, just wasn't given a good go and was often given shit roles. He is more valuable in the middle than Ziebell is at this point in time.
I don't think he has improved significantly this year from last but our game plan this year is much more suited to him than last year's was. That (and injuries this year vs last) is all there is to it IMO.
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

Tas

Premium Gold
Joined
Dec 23, 2002
Posts
52,068
Likes
33,041
AFL Club
North Melbourne
Other Teams
There can be only one...
#27
I don't think he has improved significantly this year from last but our game plan this year is much more suited to him than last year's was. That (and injuries this year vs last) is all there is to it IMO.
I said last year that our player stock would suit a Lyon type game plan more so than a fast uncontested game plan, glad I was proven right. :p
 

Jay-Z

North's Enforcer
Joined
Sep 30, 2008
Posts
8,118
Likes
10,261
Location
Melbourne
AFL Club
North Melbourne
#28
I said last year that our player stock would suit a Lyon type game plan more so than a fast uncontested game plan, glad I was proven right. :p
Yes and no. I think our forward stocks are far more suited to last year's game plan. The midfield and defence undoubtedly would prefer this one though.
 

Only Forwards

Brownlow Medallist
Joined
Aug 14, 2008
Posts
17,415
Likes
37,165
Location
Melbourne
AFL Club
North Melbourne
Thread starter #29
I don't quite understand your logic here. He has worked his backside off to get a spot in the 22 and now that he's got it (seemingly) you think he's gonna say "Ha! I did it! Now trade me to somewhere else so I can start at the back of the pack again". Don't think so.
He asked for trade last year didn't he?

I have been incredibly confident that we would be able to re-sign pretty much everyone.

I do however feel Levi has more reason to want to leave than others.

It's a fear, fear isn't normally a rational thing.
 

Mr. Blonde

Premiership Player
Joined
Dec 16, 2001
Posts
4,549
Likes
10,505
Location
Melbourne
AFL Club
North Melbourne
Other Teams
Kangaroos
#30
I am man enough to say i had written him off even if i didn't post it.

I loved that play in the third quarter when despite not wanting to take it, the ump called advantage, and a flat footed Greenhead shrugged the tackle.
I'm with you here BL. I had also written him off as being one-paced with average skills, but I didn't take into account his absolute hunger to win every contest he is involved in.

He's fast becoming one of our most important players and I'm glad I was wrong to write him off.
 

Kimbo

Brownlow Medallist
Joined
Dec 14, 2002
Posts
18,043
Likes
24,865
AFL Club
North Melbourne
Other Teams
Sturt, Liverpool
#31
I'm with you here BL. I had also written him off as being one-paced with average skills, but I didn't take into account his absolute hunger to win every contest he is involved in.

He's fast becoming one of our most important players and I'm glad I was wrong to write him off.
Yeah me too. In his favour though:
  • The game plan, as Jay-Z says, suits him more.
  • He has actually improved his foot skills; something I had lost hope he'd be able to do.
  • He has brought his (trademark) work rate more consistently than in the past.
I'm enjoying immensely the fact that these last two points have happened. He's growing in confidence too.

Now, Levi, for the simple set shot goals! :stern look
 

Jay-Z

North's Enforcer
Joined
Sep 30, 2008
Posts
8,118
Likes
10,261
Location
Melbourne
AFL Club
North Melbourne
#33
He asked for trade last year didn't he?

I have been incredibly confident that we would be able to re-sign pretty much everyone.

I do however feel Levi has more reason to want to leave than others.
Yeah but last year it made sense. He was a 24yo who wasn't getting a regular game. Now he is.

It's a fear, fear isn't normally a rational thing.
This is true! Play on :)
 
Joined
Jun 27, 2013
Posts
8,418
Likes
13,425
AFL Club
North Melbourne
#34
He's having a cracking year. He's so much better when he can just hunt the footy and play his own game. I'm never that comfortable with him tagging
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

Black2Blue

Premiership Player
Joined
Aug 15, 2013
Posts
3,720
Likes
9,007
AFL Club
North Melbourne
#39
finally getting some kudos!
Been consistently one of our best 3 onballers this year, alongside NDS and Cunners. Loving the way he has resurrected his career. The change in gameplan has actually suited him perfectly and with his form and attitude he aint going to be losing his place for some time.

Curious to see if LA can do the same after hanging around last-chance saloon with Levi for some time. Robbie Nahas and Spud have that same hunger and intensity too.

Could become the year of the resurrections. Just add Harper to the group and I will set up the Arden Street Evangelical Church of Resurrected North Boys.
 

roos_fanatic08

Brownlow Medallist
Joined
Sep 21, 2008
Posts
18,332
Likes
24,171
Location
Vic
AFL Club
North Melbourne
#40
Been consistently one of our best 3 onballers, alongside NDS and Cunners. Loving the way he has resurrected his career. The change in gameplan has actually suited him perfectly and with his form and attitude he aint going to be losing his place for some time.

Curious to see if LA can do the same after hanging around last-chance saloon with Levi for some time. Robbie Nahas and Spud have that same hunger and intensity too.

Could become the year of the resurrections. Just add Harper to the group and I will set up the Arden Street Evangelical Church of Resurrected North Boys.
LA looked as though he wanted to put his head over the footy on the weekend. two tackles in a quarter is a good return too. if only mcmahon and wright could get their shit together.
 

Black2Blue

Premiership Player
Joined
Aug 15, 2013
Posts
3,720
Likes
9,007
AFL Club
North Melbourne
#41
LA looked as though he wanted to put his head over the footy on the weekend. two tackles in a quarter is a good return too. if only mcmahon and wright could get their shit together.
If LA comes good, I will be more than happy to eat humble pie after expecting him to spend the year on death row in the 2s. In Levi, LA, Nahas, Tippett, and Spud we have depth players who have all performed beyond expectations and the hunger that they have brought to the team is starting to reap rewards throughout the team. #NoPassengersAllowed
 

G0ther00s

Club Legend
Joined
Oct 14, 2008
Posts
2,104
Likes
2,737
AFL Club
North Melbourne
Other Teams
Miami Heat
#42
Man I was not keen on keeping him through the trade period the last couple of years. I would have been yelling at the TV is he was tearing it up at another club like he has been for us since getting back in.
 

shinboner magic

Brownlow Medallist
Joined
Apr 17, 2007
Posts
10,759
Likes
9,752
Location
melb home of the kangas
AFL Club
North Melbourne
Other Teams
hellas,liverpool,storm,au
#45
He's having a cracking year. He's so much better when he can just hunt the footy and play his own game. I'm never that comfortable with him tagging
Has been just a machine in the middle and has covered well for spitta and ziebs quite well.

Bon has to wear some if the blame for only playing hinas a tagger the last couple of years.
When he hunts the ball he is a gun in there.
 

ThePezDispenser

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Mar 22, 2010
Posts
9,616
Likes
3,513
AFL Club
North Melbourne
Other Teams
LeBron James, Phil Heath
#47
Would love to see him handball more. I love the fact that he is the flavour of the month that he's kicking is completely overlooked whilst people are wanting Ziebell dropped because of his kicking.

Cannot fault his endeavor or ball winning ability, but that clearly hasn;t been what's held him back for so long.

He's proving a lot of people wrong with some very good games, however his kicking can still improve dramatically.
 

Horace

Premium Gold
Joined
Dec 2, 2001
Posts
9,472
Likes
13,832
Location
Mitcham
AFL Club
North Melbourne
Other Teams
Fitzroy
#48
I don't think Greenwood got his chance during the last 1-2 years. Mindblowing really.
Yes. I was constantly bewildered when he kept missing. If there was a positive to Spitta's injury (I know, I am off to wash out my keyboard's mouth) it was that Levi could not be ignored any longer.

I have loved this bloke from day 1 and could never understand why he often seemed out of favour.
 

B Tron

Premium Platinum
Joined
Jun 2, 2009
Posts
25,840
Likes
47,982
Location
The ENCOM mainframe
AFL Club
North Melbourne
#49
Has been just a machine in the middle and has covered well for spitta and ziebs quite well.

Bon has to wear some if the blame for only playing hinas a tagger the last couple of years.
When he hunts the ball he is a gun in there.
Does he? Or should Levi just cop some criticism for being a headless chook at stoppages when not assigned to a player, throwing out whatever stoppage set up he was part of?

Perhaps Levi has worked hard on being mindful yet aggressive, or our whole set up has changed enough to allow him to be a see ball, get ball player on the knowledge that he will be covered. Whatever it is he is in the team, playing well and the team is better for it.
 

Kimbo

Brownlow Medallist
Joined
Dec 14, 2002
Posts
18,043
Likes
24,865
AFL Club
North Melbourne
Other Teams
Sturt, Liverpool
#50
Would love to see him handball more. I love the fact that he is the flavour of the month that he's kicking is completely overlooked whilst people are wanting Ziebell dropped because of his kicking.

Cannot fault his endeavor or ball winning ability, but that clearly hasn;t been what's held him back for so long.

He's proving a lot of people wrong with some very good games, however his kicking can still improve dramatically.
I've been one to name his kicking as an issue worthy of keeping him out of the side in the past. It has improved considerably though I reckon. Jack's on the other hand...
 
Top Bottom