Opinion Commentary & Media VI

[TennisPlayerAndy]

Robbo plagiarises Big Footy.

EFA.

 

[chubbspeterson]

Geez you'd think they'd be pumping out tassie articles. Maybe an AFL directive to smash North to get a better performance out of us lol?

 

[Kangaroos4eva]

Mark Robinson questions North Melbourne rebuild and why Alastair Clarkson isn’t playing the kids​

As the enormity of Alastair Clarkson’s job to rebuild North Melbourne becomes apparent, Mark Robinson questions whether the master coach has already got it wrong.

Mark Robinson
Follow
@Robbo_heraldsun

3 min read
May 3, 2023 - 6:00PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

“If you’re going to lose by 90 points, you might as well lose with kids.’’ — Alastair Clarkson post-match last week.


A massive injury list could save a bunch of older players being dumped this week, as North Melbourne ponders why the sugar hit from Alastair Clarkson has turned to sour lemons.
After its two opening wins, North Melbourne’s past five weeks resemble the worst of its awful 2022 season.
The numbers are stark, if not embarrassing, because 15-goal defeats weren’t expected under the tutelage of the four-time premiership coach.
The ability to compete, to apply pressure and to offensively flourish under Clarkson’s new system, has collapsed

Daniel Howe.

Remember that manic pressure in the round 2 win over Fremantle? It is long gone, replaced by a lethargy which can’t be tolerated.
Like, Cameron Zurhaars pathetic chase in the opening minutes of last week’s match. Does Clarkson set standards and dump Zurhaar, or was Zurhaar dealt with during the week in review and leadership meetings?
Clarkson clearly has decisions to make at selection.
You can ask why are Aaron Hall, Daniel Howe, 27, and Kayne Turner, 27, getting a game when there’s a group of 21-year-olds in the VFL itching to gain selection.

They might not all be the future of the club, but surely the 21-year-olds have to be given the opportunity to try to stake their claims.
To be brutal, what’s the point of Hall having 30 disposals against Melbourne when the team loses by 90 points?

Kayne Turner.
Why not get 20 disposals from Flynn Perez, who is 21, and who played 16 games in 2022 but has been overlooked this season?
Turner has played all seven games this year and gathered a collective 55 disposals. He’s known for his pressure and tackling, yet he’s laid just 17 tackles, and nine of them came in round 1. He also averages one goal and is rated an average pressure player. He can’t be persevered with.
Phoenix Spicer, 20, is trying to establish himself as a small forward and although goals have been scarce in his VFL games, he has real speed, which the senior team is lacking.

Should Alastair Clarkson be playing the kids?​

Yes
No
Cast your vote

Jack Mahony.

Flynn Perez.
Another option is Jack Mahony, 21, who has played 42 games and hasn’t added to his tally this year. He’s kicked three goals in five VFL games and his ball-winning numbers have improved in recent weeks.
Howe was brought in by Clarkson as a delisted free agent from Hawthorn. He’s played 102 games in nine seasons, including six games this season, predominantly on the wing and across the backline. He was solid against Carlton (round 4) and Brisbane (round 5), was the sub in round 2, and his other three games have only been average.

Charlie Lazzaro.
Charlie Lazzaro, 21, has played 24 game but has not been given an opportunity this year. He averages five clearances and seven tackles playing midfield in the VFL. Is he a better bet than Howe?
Tom Powell, Josh Goater and George Wardlaw can’t be considered for selection because of injury, while it’s expected Luke Davies-Uniacke will play.

North Melbourne's reality​

	R3-7, 2023	2022
Points from Turnovers Diff Points For Score per Inside 50 % Time in Forward Half Diff Contested Possession Diff	17th 18th 18th 18th 18th	18th 18th 18th 18th 16th

Clarkson has lamented about the lack of depth at the club, and he’d also be frustrated by the lack of continuity from the club’s first-round picks.
In order:
2017: Davies-Uniacke is a legitimate star.
2018: Tarryn Thomas is a muck-up who has let himself and his team down.
2019: The Kangaroos traded out their first-round pick.
2020: Will Phillips is a chance to play this week after being axed the week before, while Powell hurt himself against the Demons.
2021: Jason Horne-Francis left the club.
2022: Harry Sheezel is a mighty young player, while Wardlaw hasn’t played because of injury.

Alastair Clarkson is North Melbourne’s fourth coach in four years.

North Melbourne players trudge off after their heavy loss to Melbourne.
Add the fact the players are learning a fourth system in four years — from Brad Scott, through Rhyce Shaw and David Noble, and now Clarkson — and as noted by Fox Footy’s Jonathan Brown, the players can be doing too much thinking instead of simply playing.
Selection at the Kangaroos this week will be the most intriguing of their season, because Clarkson put on the agenda that youth over experience might be best policy.
“We’ve probably gone with a little bit of an older group in the early part of the year and not exposed as many as the young kids because we’ve fully of the view brining the young kids en masse is not all that beneficial for them,’’ Clarkson said after the Demons loss.

More Coverage​

Clock ticking: 1784 days to get newest team off the groundDraft intel: Could a McLachlan be set for the big stage?The keys to success for a Tassie AFL team
“We’ll look to blood a few more kids over the next few weeks … because if you’re going to lose by 90 points, you might as well lose with kids. But we don’t want to throw them to the wolves either.’’
The truth is the wolves are already devouring his older players, so going with more youth is a no-brainer.

North's struggles in key stats​

	R3-7, 2023	2022
Points Against Oppo Score per Inside 50 % Oppo Defensive 50 to Inside 50 % Oppo Points from Defensive Half Pressure Applied	17th 17th 18th 18th 18th	18th 17th 18th 18th 17th

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He’s been reading TAO’s thread.

 

[Gasometer]

Robbo reads Big Footy

 

[Gasometer]

Geez you'd think they'd be pumping out tassie articles. Maybe an AFL directive to smash North to get a better performance out of us lol?

He can smash us every week after that disgraceful and embarrassing Saturday night effort

 

[marklovesbeer]

At least a couple of talking pints here….



Pints? Yum.

 

[Gasometer]

At least a couple of talking pints here….

View attachment 1677264

Pints? Yum.

Photoshopping?

 

[Samsquanch]

At least a couple of talking pints here….

View attachment 1677264

Pints? Yum.

Pretty much a Kerridge "who's who" wall of fame.

Except McCreery.

Why are there two L McDonalds?

 

[Gasometer]

5 on the bench…two LMacs?

 

[Devington]

The numbers are stark, if not embarrassing, because 15-goal defeats weren’t expected under the tutelage of the four-time premiership coach.

Yeah I can't agree with that. Everything else aside we were coming off of 3 years bottom 2. Getting reamed into the ground a few times against the heavy hitters was always a possibility.

 

[The Filth Wizard]

Good article from Robbo.

 

[marklovesbeer]

Pretty much a Kerridge "who's who" wall of fame.

Except McCreery.

Why are there two L McDonalds?

3 Panthers on the team.
I know nobody cares.

 

[Kimbo]

Why are there two L McDonalds?

Why is there one!?

(Anywhere near a list of AFL players, of any description?)

 

[Rod Stroker]

Good article from Robbo.

Srs? His main point was to play the kids from the twos. None of the kids he mentioned - Mahony, Perez, Laz, etc - have been banging the door down.

 

[Psicosis]

Mark Robinson questions North Melbourne rebuild and why Alastair Clarkson isn’t playing the kids​

As the enormity of Alastair Clarkson’s job to rebuild North Melbourne becomes apparent, Mark Robinson questions whether the master coach has already got it wrong.

Mark Robinson
Follow
@Robbo_heraldsun

3 min read
May 3, 2023 - 6:00PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

“If you’re going to lose by 90 points, you might as well lose with kids.’’ — Alastair Clarkson post-match last week.


A massive injury list could save a bunch of older players being dumped this week, as North Melbourne ponders why the sugar hit from Alastair Clarkson has turned to sour lemons.
After its two opening wins, North Melbourne’s past five weeks resemble the worst of its awful 2022 season.
The numbers are stark, if not embarrassing, because 15-goal defeats weren’t expected under the tutelage of the four-time premiership coach.
The ability to compete, to apply pressure and to offensively flourish under Clarkson’s new system, has collapsed

Daniel Howe.

Remember that manic pressure in the round 2 win over Fremantle? It is long gone, replaced by a lethargy which can’t be tolerated.
Like, Cameron Zurhaars pathetic chase in the opening minutes of last week’s match. Does Clarkson set standards and dump Zurhaar, or was Zurhaar dealt with during the week in review and leadership meetings?
Clarkson clearly has decisions to make at selection.
You can ask why are Aaron Hall, Daniel Howe, 27, and Kayne Turner, 27, getting a game when there’s a group of 21-year-olds in the VFL itching to gain selection.

They might not all be the future of the club, but surely the 21-year-olds have to be given the opportunity to try to stake their claims.
To be brutal, what’s the point of Hall having 30 disposals against Melbourne when the team loses by 90 points?

Kayne Turner.
Why not get 20 disposals from Flynn Perez, who is 21, and who played 16 games in 2022 but has been overlooked this season?
Turner has played all seven games this year and gathered a collective 55 disposals. He’s known for his pressure and tackling, yet he’s laid just 17 tackles, and nine of them came in round 1. He also averages one goal and is rated an average pressure player. He can’t be persevered with.
Phoenix Spicer, 20, is trying to establish himself as a small forward and although goals have been scarce in his VFL games, he has real speed, which the senior team is lacking.

Should Alastair Clarkson be playing the kids?​

Yes
No
Cast your vote

Jack Mahony.

Flynn Perez.
Another option is Jack Mahony, 21, who has played 42 games and hasn’t added to his tally this year. He’s kicked three goals in five VFL games and his ball-winning numbers have improved in recent weeks.
Howe was brought in by Clarkson as a delisted free agent from Hawthorn. He’s played 102 games in nine seasons, including six games this season, predominantly on the wing and across the backline. He was solid against Carlton (round 4) and Brisbane (round 5), was the sub in round 2, and his other three games have only been average.

Charlie Lazzaro.
Charlie Lazzaro, 21, has played 24 game but has not been given an opportunity this year. He averages five clearances and seven tackles playing midfield in the VFL. Is he a better bet than Howe?
Tom Powell, Josh Goater and George Wardlaw can’t be considered for selection because of injury, while it’s expected Luke Davies-Uniacke will play.

North Melbourne's reality​

	R3-7, 2023	2022
Points from Turnovers Diff Points For Score per Inside 50 % Time in Forward Half Diff Contested Possession Diff	17th 18th 18th 18th 18th	18th 18th 18th 18th 16th

Clarkson has lamented about the lack of depth at the club, and he’d also be frustrated by the lack of continuity from the club’s first-round picks.
In order:
2017: Davies-Uniacke is a legitimate star.
2018: Tarryn Thomas is a muck-up who has let himself and his team down.
2019: The Kangaroos traded out their first-round pick.
2020: Will Phillips is a chance to play this week after being axed the week before, while Powell hurt himself against the Demons.
2021: Jason Horne-Francis left the club.
2022: Harry Sheezel is a mighty young player, while Wardlaw hasn’t played because of injury.

Alastair Clarkson is North Melbourne’s fourth coach in four years.

North Melbourne players trudge off after their heavy loss to Melbourne.
Add the fact the players are learning a fourth system in four years — from Brad Scott, through Rhyce Shaw and David Noble, and now Clarkson — and as noted by Fox Footy’s Jonathan Brown, the players can be doing too much thinking instead of simply playing.
Selection at the Kangaroos this week will be the most intriguing of their season, because Clarkson put on the agenda that youth over experience might be best policy.
“We’ve probably gone with a little bit of an older group in the early part of the year and not exposed as many as the young kids because we’ve fully of the view brining the young kids en masse is not all that beneficial for them,’’ Clarkson said after the Demons loss.

More Coverage​

Clock ticking: 1784 days to get newest team off the groundDraft intel: Could a McLachlan be set for the big stage?The keys to success for a Tassie AFL team
“We’ll look to blood a few more kids over the next few weeks … because if you’re going to lose by 90 points, you might as well lose with kids. But we don’t want to throw them to the wolves either.’’
The truth is the wolves are already devouring his older players, so going with more youth is a no-brainer.

North's struggles in key stats​

	R3-7, 2023	2022
Points Against Oppo Score per Inside 50 % Oppo Defensive 50 to Inside 50 % Oppo Points from Defensive Half Pressure Applied	17th 17th 18th 18th 18th	18th 17th 18th 18th 17th

Inside 50 Newsletter​

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Ironically I don’t think the media would have picked up on this had Clarkson not said it himself.

That aside, it’s difficult to argue with any of it.

We are playing older players with limited ceilings over kids & still getting pumped.

The ones that have particularly frustrated me this year are Bergman, Goater, Phillips. All should have been playing ahead of Howe, Tucker and Turner. All have shown good signs this year and should be getting games pumped into them.

 

[Samsquanch]

Srs? His main point was to play the kids from the twos. None of the kids he mentioned - Mahony, Perez, Laz, etc - have been banging the door down.

He's probably looked over the VFL team sheet from last weekend over a pot or two during the warm up for the show and recognised a few names.

They should do a Breathalyzer test on him during the show and run his current reading in the ticker across the bottom of the screen.

For whatley, they'd show a running update on the radius of his head.

 

[Shermanator]

 

[danj]

How many played Firsts on the weekend (and don't count the Cry baby, he was never one of us)? I know Ladhams, Amon, Frampton, Howard, Wingard and Impey all played on the weekend.

Mason wood

 

[Ether]

Good article from Robbo.

It might agree with what many on here think but I don't follow the logic.

Clarko: Playing too many kids and getting flogged is not good for their development.
Robbo: You're getting flogged with older players in so you should play the kids.

How is that a counter to what Clarko had said?

 

[marklovesbeer]

Ironically I don’t think the media would have picked up on this had Clarkson not said it himself.

That aside, it’s difficult to argue with any of it.

We are playing older players with limited ceilings over kids & still getting pumped.

The ones that have particularly frustrated me this year are Bergman, Goater, Phillips. All should have been playing ahead of Howe, Tucker and Turner. All have shown good signs this year and should be getting games pumped into them.

Agree with the majority of this, however I feel Tucker will slot in somewhere in the best 22 for the next few years.

 

[krakouers]

It might agree with what many on here think but I don't follow the logic.

Clarko: Playing too many kids and getting flogged is not good for their development.
Robbo: You're getting flogged with older players in so you should play the kids.

How is that a counter to what Clarko had said?

Robbo thought he thought of it first

 

[Shinboner1]

I thought clarko came out recently and said the playing the oldies experiment was over and now its time to get games into the kids?
Could be a good strategy if we're banking on getting band 1 or 2 for mckay this year. 3 picks inside 20 with 2 of them being early could be glorious.

 

[Devington]

I thought clarko came out recently and said the playing the oldies experiment was over and now its time to get games into the kids?
Could be a good strategy if we're banking on getting band 1 or 2 for mckay this year. 3 picks inside 20 with 2 of them being early could be glorious.

Not quite as definitive as "it's over" but yeah, pretty big indication the team will get rebalanced towards youth but it's sounded to me like it will just be a couple at a time rather than a mass change.

 

[Twinkletoes]

Robbo reads Big Footy.

I mentioned here a few years ago at a preseason game in Ballarat that he told me he does indeed check it out.

He added “geez they can be harsh on me” with a chuckle.

It makes sense for a journo who does feature articles. Check out what the punters are saying and questioning.

Hi Robbo.

 

[Danni_Benson]

It might agree with what many on here think but I don't follow the logic.

Clarko: Playing too many kids and getting flogged is not good for their development.
Robbo: You're getting flogged with older players in so you should play the kids.

How is that a counter to what Clarko had said?

Totally agree!

The article is simply a rehash of what Clarko has already said!!