Wholesale Changes?

[Devil Fish]

After the Adelaide loss I was surprised BS & co. refused to wield the axe, but with Boomers 350th & Wellsy's 200th, I suspected that they would sit on their hands & continue the love-feast rather than upset anyone.

But please, after the loss to GC, to effectively make one change, and that being dropping a kid, makes zero sense to me, and actually, it infuriates me.

Isn't the definition of insanity "doing the same things over & over but expecting a different result"? Well, insanity is running rampant at NMFC this year, on & off the field, with the man being contracted til the end of 2016 being too scared to ruffle a few feathers.

 

[shintemaster]

I think that boat has about sailed this year but can understand the frustration...

I don't think the contract to 2016 will be an issue in that sense, if there are no large scale changes and a similar indifferent upcoming month from the team I think you will see some brutal calls on some players that might surprise many of us. Not saying I agree with the approach completely this year but my gut says some mainstays are playing for their careers at the moment.

 

[WesternRoo]

The thing that I don't get, is that by giving him a contract until 2016, wouldn't you bring in some raw talented kids knowing you have time to develop them?

I don't get the Firrito one.

With guys like Pratt, Jones and Harding he couldn't delist and drop quick enough, yet Firrito has always survived.
In 2010 - 2011, I can see why he played him, but not since.

That is an obvious one and I'm not going to mention Kennedy again.

Then there is younger under performing players.
Again, Harper and Anthony are droppable, yet Macmillan, Wright and Adams are not.
Not saying these guys should be struck off, they shouldn't, they can play.
But they all should have been dropped by now.

Mckenzie should be playing, he needs 20 - 30 games when we enter our window. Jacobs and Gysberts probably deserve to play. What about Garner and Wood? Could they be any worse, any less fit, any less physical and have any less influence?

Whoever is responsible for this selection debacle, considering we are 4-7, should be hauled before the people that bought into this long term strategy and the above mentioned questions (and many others) should be asked.

We are being sold snake oil , like Connolly at Freo a few years ago.

Scott has done a lot of good things for North, but he is failing badly here.

 

[LB2Snake]

I'm not in the sack Scott camp at all, but some of the decisions have been perplexing to say the least.
But I think he is sticking with guys like wright and jmac as he obviously sees them as vital to long term plans.
AK will come in soon, I'm sure of it.

 

[Wells Now Williams Fan]

The thing that I don't get, is that by giving him a contract until 2016, wouldn't you bring in some raw talented kids knowing you have time to develop them?

I don't get the Firrito one.

With guys like Pratt, Jones and Harding he couldn't delist and drop quick enough, yet Firrito has always survived.
In 2010 - 2011, I can see why he played him, but not since.

That is an obvious one and I'm not going to mention Kennedy again.

Then there is younger under performing players.
Again, Harper and Anthony are droppable, yet Macmillan, Wright and Adams are not.
Not saying these guys should be struck off, they shouldn't, they can play.
But they all should have been dropped by now.

Mckenzie should be playing, he needs 20 - 30 games when we enter our window. Jacobs and Gysberts probably deserve to play. What about Garner and Wood? Could they be any worse, any less fit, any less physical and have any less influence?

Whoever is responsible for this selection debacle, considering we are 4-7, should be hauled before the people that bought into this long term strategy and the above mentioned questions (and many others) should be asked.

We are being sold snake oil , like Connolly at Freo a few years ago.

Scott has done a lot of good things for North, but he is failing badly here.

Could not have summed it up better myself....Great Post !!!

Highlighted parts are very very good points. Frikken hell, If Jamie Bootsma can play AFL then anyone that can get the ball can be given a chance
regardless of their body size.

I can't help thinking if we had drafted either Kennedy, Vlastuin, McRae or Mayes that they would be sitting in the reserves with Firrito, Adams
getting games rather than being given a chance.

Get some games into these kids and give them a chance !!!

 

[Winter]

The selection issue we have is we aren't playing bad football. For the majority of games and the majority of the season we have played like a very good football side.

I don't think the issues we have will be solved by injecting half a dozen guys who have played less than 10 games.

I'm all for rewarding strong VFL form, and Wright & Adams can consider themselves a little lucky not to have been dropped yet, but this board is starting to sound a lot like Melbourne's.

 

[Harris 10]

Could not have summed it up better myself....Great Post !!!

Highlighted parts are very very good points. Frikken hell, If Jamie Bootsma can play AFL then anyone that can get the ball can be given a chance
regardless of their body size.

I can't help thinking if we had drafted either Kennedy, Vlastuin, McRae or Mayes that they would be sitting in the reserves with Firrito, Adams
getting games rather than being given a chance.

Get some games into these kids and give them a chance !!!

The handling of McDonald is going to be interesting next year.

 

[nicko74]

After the Adelaide loss I was surprised BS & co. refused to wield the axe, but with Boomers 350th & Wellsy's 200th, I suspected that they would sit on their hands & continue the love-feast rather than upset anyone.

But please, after the loss to GC, to effectively make one change, and that being dropping a kid, makes zero sense to me, and actually, it infuriates me.


Isn't the definition of insanity "doing the same things over & over but expecting a different result"? Well, insanity is running rampant at NMFC this year, on & off the field, with the man being contracted til the end of 2016 being too scared to ruffle a few feathers.

That is spot on! It makes me angry just thinking about it!

 

[Mixed Results]

Could not have summed it up better myself....Great Post !!!

Highlighted parts are very very good points. Frikken hell, If Jamie Bootsma can play AFL then anyone that can get the ball can be given a chance
regardless of their body size.

I can't help thinking if we had drafted either Kennedy, Vlastuin, McRae or Mayes that they would be sitting in the reserves with Firrito, Adams
getting games rather than being given a chance.

Get some games into these kids and give them a chance !!!

McKenzie has been getting 15 touches a game since round 2 and using his "elite footskills" we drafted him for to go at a rate of 60% by foot. Taylor Garner has a season high of 12 touches.

Jackson Macrae was averaging 28 touches a game, that's why he made his teams side and our draft picks haven't. There is no conspiracy taking place.

 

[Event Horizon]

I think the reasoning is simple. The coaching panel clearly believe that most of the blocks are in place, and the side just need to adjust to the game plan. If they believe that MacMillan, Wright and Patch are going to be mainstays of this side for the next few seasons, then it's easy to see why they are given more chances than some would agree should be given.

Firrito and perhaps one or two others are probably on thin ice though, and should we fail this week, may just about be squeezed out.

But I can understand reluctance to make wholesale changes, especially given the likes of McKenzie are hardly kicking the door down.

 

[nicko74]

McKenzie has been getting 15 touches a game since round 2 and using his "elite footskills" we drafted him for to go at a rate of 60% by foot. Taylor Garner has a season high of 12 touches.

Jackson Macrae was averaging 28 touches a game, that's why he made his teams side and our draft picks haven't. There is no conspiracy taking place.

McKenzie has been getting 15 touches a game since round 2 and using his "elite footskills" we drafted him for to go at a rate of 60% by foot. Taylor Garner has a season high of 12 touches.

Jackson Macrae was averaging 28 touches a game, that's why he made his teams side and our draft picks haven't. There is no conspiracy taking place.

Fair point. But we are not winning with the players we are using. Take a chance FFS! Nothing to lose really

 

[scooby1279]

Maybe the coaching stuff have now realised our list just isn't good enough ATM. We are losing and no changes are being made which means they don't really rate the players in the vfl.

 

[Horace]

I am not perturbed. This is the year that we have to have.

I listened to Cam Mooney again yesterday on SEN. He repeated what he has been saying consistently. Have patience. He said that in his first 50 or so games his form was erratic and in many games not deserving of his spot. As were many in that developing Geelong camp. It is a natural progression.

We have to have the likes of Spud in this team because while he might be gone in a year or two, they help to look after the younger boys, prevent us from getting flogged. (Which we was happening consistently against the better sides just two years ago. )

We will get there, mark my words.

I'm saving up my pennies as we speak to make sure I am at the G on the last day in September 2015 when we salute our 5th flag.

(Mind you I have made many more mistakes in my life than I have got things right, but hey at my great age the odds must be surely moving my way a little bit now shouldn't they???)

 

[Wells Now Williams Fan]

McKenzie has been getting 15 touches a game since round 2 and using his "elite footskills" we drafted him for to go at a rate of 60% by foot. Taylor Garner has a season high of 12 touches.

Jackson Macrae was averaging 28 touches a game, that's why he made his teams side and our draft picks haven't. There is no conspiracy taking place.

Well what is the stats and disp eff of Firrito, Adams and co??? Kerridge got dropped 3 weeks after kicking 6 on Firrito......

You think Firrito will be around in 2 years time when we need 50 games into McKenzie then??

 

[GreatBradScott]

My issue with Spud, is he only averages one tackle a game for a defender. That lack of physicality from someone who's in the team for exactly that irks me.

I should also mention and it's apparent to all of us, he's not alone either. Wright and JMac are serial offenders.

Our tackling and pressure is piss poor. Fix that, and I'm sure things will turn.

 

[h3LLo chitty]

I think the reasoning is simple. The coaching panel clearly believe that most of the blocks are in place, and the side just need to adjust to the game plan. If they believe that MacMillan, Wright and Patch are going to be mainstays of this side for the next few seasons, then it's easy to see why they are given more chances than some would agree should be given.

Firrito and perhaps one or two others are probably on thin ice though, and should we fail this week, may just about be squeezed out.

But I can understand reluctance to make wholesale changes, especially given the likes of McKenzie are hardly kicking the door down.

FINALLY, a level headed outlook

 

[Saintly31]

After the Adelaide loss I was surprised BS & co. refused to wield the axe, but with Boomers 350th & Wellsy's 200th, I suspected that they would sit on their hands & continue the love-feast rather than upset anyone.

But please, after the loss to GC, to effectively make one change, and that being dropping a kid, makes zero sense to me, and actually, it infuriates me.

Isn't the definition of insanity "doing the same things over & over but expecting a different result"? Well, insanity is running rampant at NMFC this year, on & off the field, with the man being contracted til the end of 2016 being too scared to ruffle a few feathers.

One thing I don't understand is why you were surprised?

Scott might have been a gutsy player, but so far he has been impotent as a coach.

Clearly he is backing his favorites in, and hopefully that continuity regardless of performance works out in a year or two. If it doesn't then it's a massive fail - time will tell.

 

[kelman]

McKenzie has been getting 15 touches a game since round 2 and using his "elite footskills" we drafted him for to go at a rate of 60% by foot. Taylor Garner has a season high of 12 touches.

Jackson Macrae was averaging 28 touches a game, that's why he made his teams side and our draft picks haven't. There is no conspiracy taking place.

Exactly! Kennedy is the only one who may feel a bit annoyed, but he has made only 3 of 9 bests this year so not dominant.

The rest are only going ok. So while the incessant and repeated hysteria around here is about rewarding mediocrity - wouldn't we be doing the same by elevating guys who have not yet earned it at a lower level?

These are the picks still on our list since he 2008 draft.

Ziebell - 71 games
Wright - 63
Anthony - 53
Cunnington - 65
Bastinac - 68
Black - 11
MacMillan - 47
Kennedy - 0
Atley - 50
Harper - 40
Delany - 5
Mabon - 0
Mckenzie - 2
Curran - 0
Garner - 0
Jacobs - 2
Wood - 0
Wilkins - 0
Hine - 6


9 of the 12 guys we drafted in the ND between 2008-2010 that are still on the list are playing this weekend! Most have over 40 games under their belt.

Plus rookies in Gibson (24), Mullet (20), Daw (6)

How anyone can say we do not give young guys a chance astounds me.

 

[naturally north]

For what it's worth, I believe Scott is selling the " we're not far off " I heard G. McKenna say that he keeps an eye on percentage as that's a good indicator to how you're travelling. Also rated us a top six side, although I reckon that was to put more cream on the GC's greatest win ever cake.

We probably need a good 'ol fashion four quarter belting which would remove the wind from Scott's sails. I have zero confidence going into this rounds game. I think our percentage may dip beyond 100.
And should that happen I then think changes will be made with a view to the future.

Should we some how win tomorrow I just think that will muddy the waters even further.

 

[kelman]

For what it's worth, I believe Scott is selling the " we're not far off " I heard G. McKenna say that he keeps an eye on percentage as that's a good indicator to how you're travelling. Also rated us a top six side, although I reckon that was to put more cream on the GC's greatest win ever cake.

We probably need a good 'ol fashion four quarter belting which would remove the wind from Scott's sails. I have zero confidence going into this rounds game. I think our percentage may dip beyond 100.
And should that happen I then think changes will be made with a view to the future.

Should we some how win tomorrow I just think that will muddy the waters even further.

So if that is the view, list the players that will not make it or are gone.

It really is like the Melbourne board.

 

[naturally north]

So if that is the view, list the players that will not make it or are gone.

It really is like the Melbourne board.

I don't believe that, Melbourne would ecstatic with four wins and seven losses at the half way mark.

I never said anyone was gone.

But I'd certainly like to ask Adams for one whether he's putting in the same effort he showed during his come back from a knee reco?

I doubt he is, he was manic running the 1000 steps up my way.

 

[shinboner spiggs]

Brad has dellusions of thinking that we are still a chance this year. He just has to face it that this was not out year and start thinking next year. Mckenzie is a jet, but will continue to be left raw whilst he flogs the mcmillan and firrito horse that is not winning. Same goes with gyzberts and jacobs, and the same goes with kennedy. He is too proud to do the right thing by the club. 200 games is a fantastic effort, but for spud, its either he hangs them up with dignity this season, or he can have the decision made for him. I know which id rather have.

 

[Jack Reacher]

Brad has dellusions of thinking that we are still a chance this year. He just has to face it that this was not out year and start thinking next year. Mckenzie is a jet, but will continue to be left raw whilst he flogs the mcmillan and firrito horse that is not winning. Same goes with gyzberts and jacobs, and the same goes with kennedy. He is too proud to do the right thing by the club. 200 games is a fantastic effort, but for spud, its either he hangs them up with dignity this season, or he can have the decision made for him. I know which id rather have.

You got that right!

 

[Gasometer]

I thought this was a bump thread from last September when we commenced our 'organic' period.

But it was 7am this morning.

Says more about where we are at the end of June 2013 than anything else I have read on here this afternoon....

 

[Devil Fish]

I am not perturbed. This is the year that we have to have.

I listened to Cam Mooney again yesterday on SEN. He repeated what he has been saying consistently. Have patience. He said that in his first 50 or so games his form was erratic and in many games not deserving of his spot. As were many in that developing Geelong camp. It is a natural progression.

We have to have the likes of Spud in this team because while he might be gone in a year or two, they help to look after the younger boys, prevent us from getting flogged. (Which we was happening consistently against the better sides just two years ago. )

We will get there, mark my words.

I'm saving up my pennies as we speak to make sure I am at the G on the last day in September 2015 when we salute our 5th flag.

(Mind you I have made many more mistakes in my life than I have got things right, but hey at my great age the odds must be surely moving my way a little bit now shouldn't they???)

Lots of guys here said all this 4-5 years ago saying 2012-2014 will be our years. Like Richmond supporters, I fear we will just keep postponing the premiership window to make us feel better.