Analysis Rick's Analysis (The Shinboner)

[Hazey1977]

Most clubs have two main get togethers during the week where they bed down their plans. The names and approaches for each will differ slightly depending on the team, but I'll just use the names I learned from my time:

1) Scenario planning, eg. 'if <opponent> does <x>, what is our response <y>'. In Brad Scott's time they had this listed in the calendar as War Games, which I found hilarious as a wrestling nuffie but I digress. Some of the sorts of things that'd come up in those chats:

• If it rains, are we happy with the status quo
• If they tag, what's our response
• If we tag, where does that leave us vulnerable
• If <key player> gets off the leash, what do we do to stop it

On and on like that. It was basically a time when you think of anything that can happen and prepare for it, so in theory you don't get surprised by the unexpected on game day.

2) A general Match Committee meeting where you put the above, plus everything from the week leading up - form, availability, etc - into selecting the team and finalising the process for the game.

Without knowing for sure, I'd anticipate it all came down to a couple of key swing points:

• Do we gain more from four key talls and can one of those four deal with whichever Melbourne half forward they're on?
• Do we gain more from three talls and an extra half back/small?
• Are we equipped to deal with all the downstream effects from our decision?

Based on the evidence they had in front of them, they chose point 1 and banked on the answer to point 3 being yes. And the answer to both those choices was no.

The obscure we see eventually, the obvious takes a little longer!

Thanks for the write up Rick.

It seems the coaching group/match committee are like a victim in a toxic relationship where they can't see the insanity/reality because they're too close to it. Everyone arround is like WTAF after they doing?

 

[Jimmy's Hot Dogs]

Love your work, as always, Rick! I learn
from reading the post and try to look with a more critical eye rather than kick it long.


However I am concerned that after War Games that Brad’s North were ever ambushed :quizzicallook

 

[Rick18]

Okely doke, Sydney post is up:

Rucks & turnovers: Round 19, 2025 v Sydney

North Melbourne’s chances largely hinged on how they’d be able to handle the absence of Tristan Xerri.

theshinboner.com

The post touches on two things:

1) The plan to neutralise Grundy in the ruck (worked okay for a while!)
2) The ball use both by hand and foot (didn't work at all!)

And then some musings about the latter of those two points.

 

[DuckYeah]

Okely doke, Sydney post is up:

Rucks & turnovers: Round 19, 2025 v Sydney

North Melbourne’s chances largely hinged on how they’d be able to handle the absence of Tristan Xerri.

theshinboner.com

The post touches on two things:

1) The plan to neutralise Grundy in the ruck (worked okay for a while!)
2) The ball use both by hand and foot (didn't work at all!)

And then some musings about the latter of those two points.

Ground breaking stuff there Rick lol. Nah, all seriousness, you do good work but arent we all tired of the same constant errors made week after week?

 

[DaveyBoy123]

1) Scenario planning, eg. 'if <opponent> does <x>, what is our response <y>'. In Brad Scott's time they had this listed in the calendar as War Games, which I found hilarious as a wrestling nuffie but I digress.

Melbourne post is up:

Self-applied handcuffs: Round 18, 2025 v Melbourne

That title might take you to strange corners of the internet, but nevertheless...

theshinboner.com

This one's all about team selection, the influence it had on the first two and a half quarters, and the lessons that should be learned. There could also be another post in the game flow of the last quarter and a half, but that'd be another 2,000 words and I have to stop writing at some point.

I don't think there's much more to say regarding the Sydney game, so I'm gonna go back to the Dees match to ask some "hard-hitting" questions:

- Who played the modern-day William Regal role and exclaimed that it was time for "WAAAAAAR GAAAAAAAMES"?

- Thinking back to the '96 GF and numerous other matches, did Crock play the role of Ric Flair and blade while scenario planning?

Ok, in all seriousness, 2 questions:

- I have a feeling Clarko rates/over-rates Griffen Logue. From the moment of his recruitment, it's felt so much like that he is trying to recapture the success of ol' mate Josh Gibson. I know injuries haven't helped, but I genuinely think it's hurt us this season, in particular. Thoughts?

- I have a 4th reason for leaving Phillips as the deepest defender on Pickett - and I won't be as cynical as some to suggest it's setting him up to fail. But could it be that from a list management perspective, we still haven't made up our mind on WilPhill and seeing if he can at least be partially flexible, is an important part of the decision-making process? Like you stated, something had to be behind it, as it made very little sense!

 

[krakouers]

Instead, how about Rick18 ‘S top 10 dim sim dipping sauces?

 

[Rick18]

Geelong post up, which is only kind of about the Geelong game:

Repeating the cycle: Round 20, 2025 v Geelong

North Melbourne’s final losing margin of 101 points at Marvel Stadium was entirely dictated by Geelong.

theshinboner.com

It's more about how North's 2025 is following a similar sort of top-line cycle to 2024 in terms of game styles and structures. So the post is about that, what this cycle actually means in practice, and then pondering how to break it.

 

[Only Forwards]

Because at this stage, it’s Groundhog Day. But it’s not a movie, it’s real life. And it’s not a fun rom-com, but instead games and years getting ticked off the career card for no tangible reward.

I am unsure how we do not have a cohort of players absolutely furious that this is how their incredibly short careers are playing out.

Honestly buy in or get out.

 

[hcd199]

Even if the in-tight contested game we've pivoted to both in 2024 and this season isn't a "long-term sustainable method", surely there's some value in actually going into a season with that approach, and seeing the season out with that approach? Rather than the cycle of trying a more offensive style, switching to something different and safer when that falls apart, then trying to add the offence back in again later in the year once that proves semi-capable, leaving everyone looking a little lost?

Just seems to me that we'd do a lot better reintegrating the offensive play and playing a more balanced game after we've properly bedded in the defensive fundamentals, and regained a bit of confidence through playing a full season in the mode that's so far been our most competitive and best-implemented - the theory being, capable sides with a bit of experience can adapt better than a side in our current predicament. The last two seasons definitely suggest the alternative isn't working...

 

[Only Forwards]

Rick18 How do we get out of where we are?

DO we need new/different/better personel?

Do we need new/different/ better support staff?

Do we need new better/different/better game style and plan?

You mentioned about it being groundhog day, how do we hit the combination of whatever the hell is required to wake us from this living nightmare?

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Geelong post up, which is only kind of about the Geelong game:

Repeating the cycle: Round 20, 2025 v Geelong

North Melbourne’s final losing margin of 101 points at Marvel Stadium was entirely dictated by Geelong.

theshinboner.com

It's more about how North's 2025 is following a similar sort of top-line cycle to 2024 in terms of game styles and structures. So the post is about that, what this cycle actually means in practice, and then pondering how to break it.

Fantastic write up as per usual Rick.

For the life of me I can't understand why we are going with such an aggressive defensive press when we are one of the worst teams in the comp for ball retention and turnovers. Until that improves, we should be running man on man, back shoulder and pushing the opposition forwards wide.

If you are turning the ball over across half forward and through the middle so regularly and the defenders are pressing well up field, it leaves so much space in front of the ball for the opposition's forwards to work into. Make no sense either when we don't have the cattle to implement such an aggressive defensive press. Far too often it's the senior players such as Logue and Daniel who's poor positioning and lack of accountability lead to outnumbers.

The defensive press is further exposed by the lack of defensive accountability and defensive running through the midfield. As soon as the opposition get space from the stoppage we simply can't defend it. 3 years in, it's a bit of a joke that the same issues still exist.

 

[Hazey1977]

Fantastic write up as per usual Rick.

For the life of me I can't understand why we are going with such an aggressive defensive press when we are one of the worst teams in the comp for ball retention and turnovers. Until that improves, we should be running man on man, back shoulder and pushing the opposition forwards wide.

If you are turning the ball over across half forward and through the middle so regularly and the defenders are pressing well up field, it leaves so much space in front of the ball for the opposition's forwards to work into. Make no sense either when we don't have the cattle to implement such an aggressive defensive press. Far too often it's the senior players such as Logue and Daniel who's poor positioning and lack of accountability lead to outnumbers.

The defensive press is further exposed by the lack of defensive accountability and defensive running through the midfield. As soon as the opposition get space from the stoppage we simply can't defend it. 3 years in, it's a bit of a joke that the same issues still exist.

I was wondering similar things the other day as I watched a bit of the game.

It's like when the opposition have the ball, our forwards push back into defence, but not far enough to impact. Then if we get that ball, there os no one pushing forwards fast enough or far enough so we stop and prop.

Conversely, our backs appear to push up so high that on turnover the ball just goes over their heads.

It's like an Auskick team where we have all 18 players stuck in the middle, not effecting anything.

 

[muttley45]

If our skills are nowhere near good enough to play the game plan, how much worse would we be off, just playing chaos style, and concentrating on winning ground balls, run, and carry, rather than seemingly always looking for the perfect option, but unable to execute the skills required to deliver it.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

If our skills are nowhere near good enough to play the game plan, how much worse would we be off, just playing chaos style, and concentrating on winning ground balls, run, and carry, rather than seemingly always looking for the perfect option, but unable to execute the skills required to deliver it.

We are a pretty terrible ground ball side and we are terrible at anticipating turnovers. Don’t think it’d work at all.

 

[My Left Foote]

We are a pretty terrible side.

EFA

 

[Passmore]

Let's not overdo it in Rick's safe space...

 

[zoomba23]

We are a pretty terrible ground ball side and we are terrible at anticipating turnovers. Don’t think it’d work at all.

I still haven't worked out if we're more stupid or apathetic, or if it's a perfect 50/50 split. The 2020s at North would be PHD-worthy for the right brain

 

[JGreezy]

Fantastic write up as per usual Rick.

For the life of me I can't understand why we are going with such an aggressive defensive press when we are one of the worst teams in the comp for ball retention and turnovers. Until that improves, we should be running man on man, back shoulder and pushing the opposition forwards wide.

If you are turning the ball over across half forward and through the middle so regularly and the defenders are pressing well up field, it leaves so much space in front of the ball for the opposition's forwards to work into. Make no sense either when we don't have the cattle to implement such an aggressive defensive press. Far too often it's the senior players such as Logue and Daniel who's poor positioning and lack of accountability lead to outnumbers.

The defensive press is further exposed by the lack of defensive accountability and defensive running through the midfield. As soon as the opposition get space from the stoppage we simply can't defend it. 3 years in, it's a bit of a joke that the same issues still exist.

I think that we do it because it's what some good sides do.

But, like you said, we need to be self aware that we are not a good side, yet. We turn it over and we don't run back and this defensive game plan is the worst possible match.

The combination of having no defenders back on turnovers, and having no forwards ahead of the ball when we force a turnover, is painful to watch.

 

[Gasometer]

I’d like to know what happens in September to October in terms of planning for a Game Plan in 2026

Or is it all made up on the fly in November-January

 

[Themanbun]

I’d like to know what happens in September to October in terms of planning for a Game Plan in 2026

Or is it all made up on the fly in November-January

Yeah so we go to Bali, sink some piss. Then we check Skyscanner for a cheap flight to Greece. Ferry across to Santorini. On the ferry we talk shop.

 

[Gasometer]

Yeah so we go to Bali, sink some piss. Then we check Skyscanner for a cheap flight to Greece. Ferry across to Santorini. On the ferry we talk shop.

Clarko?

Doesn’t he go all fan boi to the NFL etc and bring back gifts or something?

 

[Only Forwards]

Like your piece today Rick.

– A game where Charlie Comben and Wil Dawson both play back; the third key defender alongside those two can be anyone

The answer here is Pink. They play beside Pink. The coaching staff need to do the brave thing and drop the bloke who hasn’t put in full shifts.

– Geordie Payne to make his debut; at time of writing I haven’t seen his six-goal game in the VFL but will have by mid-week

He should have been in this week. Anyone paying cursory attention is aware.

– A game for Matt Whitlock up forward; this issue could be forced by the way Nick Larkey

20

Nick Larkey

Age

27

Ht

198cm

Wt

96kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

8.5

2star

K

4.6

2star

HB

3.9

3star

M

3.3

3star

T

1.5

3star

G

1.4

5star

D

7.0

1star

K

4.0

1star

HB

3.0

2star

M

2.0

2star

T

1.0

2star

G

1.0

4star

D

8.8

3star

K

4.2

2star

HB

4.6

4star

M

3.2

4star

T

1.4

4star

G

0.8

4star

struggled to move in the last quarter

Clearly had a jab in his knee. If we rush him and he properly f***s his knee we’d be completely f***ed.

– Some (more) spot on-ball minutes for Finn O’Sullivan; in time he feels like the glue of an on-ball unit

Should have happened a month ago. While you speak about needing to have Colby off half back because of the log jam, IMO FOS is probably closer to the traits we require in there with the mix of hardness and skill. I also think if we’d used him differently our w/L would be different.

 

[Rick18]

Good job by me forgetting to pop in last week and post, but we are live with the GWS post:

Domino effect: Round 22, 2025 v GWS

Today’s post will zoom out a little bit and talk about a big picture aspect of open play.

theshinboner.com

I wanted to zoom out a bit and talk about domino effects, where the key part of a chain happens early, but focus is drawn to what happens at the end and how it all happens. Plus a bit of Shinboner backstory to provide some context to why I bang on about this sort of stuff all the time.

And also special focus on Charlie Comben, who I thought had a superb bit of leadership - probably the best I've seen by anyone on-field at North this season.

 

[My Left Foote]

Good job by me forgetting to pop in last week and post, but we are live with the GWS post:

Domino effect: Round 22, 2025 v GWS

Today’s post will zoom out a little bit and talk about a big picture aspect of open play.

theshinboner.com

I wanted to zoom out a bit and talk about domino effects, where the key part of a chain happens early, but focus is drawn to what happens at the end and how it all happens. Plus a bit of Shinboner backstory to provide some context to why I bang on about this sort of stuff all the time.

And also special focus on Charlie Comben, who I thought had a superb bit of leadership - probably the best I've seen by anyone on-field at North this season.

The full passage of play in the chain highlighted, begins with LDU "chasing" Whitfield.

I've watched it several times now and LDU concedes that Whitfield is going to get the kick away, his last few steps are short pulling up and only putting token pressure on. Had he run full tilt he would have certainly impacted Whitfield's kick, he may even had been able to smother the kick had he decide to throw himself at the ball.

This to me this represents where a majority of our players are at, they just aren't fully invested / committed, they aren't desperate to win, they accept defeat and won't do the one percenters.

 

[Whippet1]

The full passage of play in the chain highlighted, begins with LDU "chasing" Whitfield.

I've watched it several times now and LDU concedes that Whitfield is going to get the kick away, his last few steps are short pulling up and only putting token pressure on. Had he run full tilt he would have certainly impacted Whitfield's kick, he may even had been able to smother the kick had he decide to throw himself at the ball.

This to me this represents where a majority of our players are at, they just aren't fully invested / committed, they aren't desperate to win, they accept defeat and won't do the one percenters.

Thought the same. Indicative of a team with a few conditional players who only “go” when they feel like it.