Opinion Commentary & Media VII

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Chadwiko said:
But anyone with hooks into the club has heard enough to know that we have given Tarryn multiple 'last chances' and he has continued to squander them.
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I've never heard thst we've given him one last chance let alone multiple, but perhaps I don't have the kind of hooks into the club others do.

We've certainly tried to help Tarryn in multiple ways, and if I had to hazard a guess I'd say he's being held accountable for his actions and commitments now
 
Lomas said:
Some of my best work has been deleted over the last 24hr. Am I the baddy?
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Seth Meyers Clapping GIF by Late Night with Seth Meyers
 

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Gumble Frankieton said:
Is there any chance that the AFL brings forward the start of the season by a few weeks?
I have a sudden longing for the mad reactions to one game of footy after reading the last few pages. Even for the strange anointing of new champions after a few good bits of play. Plus all the amusing and strange tangents like: Does Paul Curtis’ lack of a right foot have something to do with the Fall of Constantinople?
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Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Now it's Turkish delight on a moonlit night
 
shintemaster said:
I hate to break it to you but we're a football club. We operate essentially as a charity in this country with a huge part of the Government largesse contingent upon being a positive contribution to the community. If you don't like that fine, but it's just good business and good business is what puts money in the bank to hopefully actually win more than 2 games of football per year.

If we play our cards right maybe we can actually have something resembling a full home season of games in Melbourne as well. Personally I don't care what amount of wishes and rainbows we have to spruik to make that happen.
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Mods- pin this post to the top of every page on any thread that even looks to be getting vaguely political ☝️
 
My Left Foote said:
Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Now it's Turkish delight on a moonlit night
Click to expand...

Even old North Melbourne, was once called Hoth-aam
Why they changed it, I can't say
people just liked it better that way
 

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Wasn’t sure where to put this surprisingly thoughtful discussion about the Thomas business but it seemed a shame for it to be lost in past players. Well done to both these commentators. (It is part way through this episode.)

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Angus Brayshaw; A career underscored by bravery - AFL Daily

Damian Barrett and Sarah Olle bring you all the latest footy news on AFL Daily. Angus Brayshaw has been medically forced into retirement, effective immediately on the back of medical advice pertaining to consecutive concussions throughout his career. Brayshaw's words as part of his retirement...
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From player culls to short-lived coaches: Can the Kangaroos bounce back from five years of hell?​

Marc McGowan

By Marc McGowan​

February 23, 2024 — 7.49pm
Save

​




North Melbourne’s decision to axe troubled former player Tarryn Thomas on Thursday could mark the final chapter in the club’s five-plus years from hell.
The AFL triggered that turn of events after suspending Thomas for 18 matches, having determined he engaged in acts of misconduct, including threatening a woman via direct messages multiple times.
The 23-year-old will not be eligible to play at all in the 2024 season, after the Kangaroos’ call to cut ties with him, the league confirmed.
Former North Melbourne footballer [PLAYERCARD]Tarryn Thomas[/PLAYERCARD].

Former North Melbourne footballer Tarryn Thomas.CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES
Thomas cannot join another club until at least the off-season, and must undergo, and satisfactorily progress in, an AFL-approved behavioural program before being allowed to play football at any level.

The Kangaroos have lurched from one controversy to another, and won precious few games, during the aforementioned difficult period – as detailed more extensively below – and continue to try desperately to resurrect their on-field fortunes.
They churned through coaches and staff, experienced a leadership overhaul, had No.1 pick Jason Horne-Francis walk out, and endured coach Alastair Clarkson’s racism investigation, but the Thomas resolution might finally enable them to move forward.
North’s playing list is rich with young, albeit inexperienced talent, from Harry Sheezel and George Wardlaw to Colby McKercher and Zane Duursma, on top of the likes of Luke Davies-Uniacke, Nick Larkey and Jy Simpkin.
As for Thomas, his AFL future beyond this season remains clouded.
This masthead spoke to 10 list management sources on Friday – all from different clubs – to see whether they would consider offering Thomas a lifeline.

Advertisement

Two of them immediately ruled Thomas out, but most others said they were not informed enough on the situation, and it was too soon to contemplate recruiting him, or even discussing the possibility at club level.
Several sources told this masthead that Thomas’ high level of talent was the sole reason he had any chance of receiving another AFL opportunity, but that the industry treated any issue such as this involving a woman more seriously than, for example, drugs, alcohol or gambling.

Brad Scott exits​

May 2019
Scott coached his 211th and final game for North Melbourne (106 wins, 105 losses) in round 10, 2019, revealing afterwards he offered his resignation, which the board accepted. He wanted to coach until season’s end; the board made it immediate. Scott felt a rebuild was required, whereas others felt differently. He did not absolve himself of responsibility in the strategy that led to that point, after being part of the decision to cut experienced quartet Brent Harvey, Nick Dal Santo, Michael Firrito and Drew Petrie at the end of 2016. Daniel Wells left for Collingwood soon after. The Roos never recovered, peaking with a couple of middle-of-the-road seasons in 2018-19.

Former Kangaroos coach Brad Scott back in 2013.

Former Kangaroos coach Brad Scott back in 2013.CREDIT: GETTY

Massive Roo cull​

September 2020
North Melbourne showed plenty of pluck under then-interim coach Rhyce Shaw to end the 2019 campaign – after starting it with two wins from nine games – but fell in a heap the next season. Shaw won the job in an ongoing capacity, only for the Kangaroos to struggle to a 3-14 record in 2020 during the COVID-shortened year. They decided to enter a full-blown rebuild, delisting 13 players (they redrafted Will Walker), including Mason Wood, Majak Daw, Ben Jacobs and Jasper Pittard, and trading Ben Brown and Shaun Higgins. North copped significant criticism about how deep they cut.
[PLAYERCARD]Ben Brown[/PLAYERCARD] during his long career at the Kangaroos.

Ben Brown during his long career at the Kangaroos.CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES

Rhyce Shaw​

October 2020
The Shaw era was brief, and ended with two years to run on his contract. He only weeks earlier took an indefinite break from football to focus on his wellbeing. Then-North Melbourne president Ben Buckley said of Shaw: “He has been an exceptional leader and is a man of the highest integrity … we will continue to work with Rhyce to ensure he has all the support he needs.” Shaw’s departure followed the Kangaroos parting ways with six of his assistants, headlined by contracted senior assistant Jade Rawlings. The club stated the changes coincided with the reshaping of its business amid the impact of COVID-19 on the industry.
[PLAYERCARD]Rhyce Shaw[/PLAYERCARD] the coach in 2020.

Rhyce Shaw the coach in 2020.CREDIT: AFL PHOTOS / GETTY IMAGES

Back-to-back wooden spoons​


2021-22
Not since 1934-35 had North Melbourne finished on the bottom in consecutive seasons. In fact, the Roos had not even finished in last place for almost half a century until they suffered that ignominy in 2021, which they doubled up on a year later. David Noble was coach for most of those forgettable campaigns, which produced a combined six wins, one draw and 37 defeats. An alarming 22 of those losses were by 40-plus points, including one particularly horrid patch between rounds five to 16 in 2022, during which they lost by no fewer than 47. The average losing margin in that period was 64.1 points.

David Noble departs​

July 2022
Noble’s 38-game stint in charge came to a merciless end in the days after a narrow loss to Collingwood in round 17, 2022. The Kangaroos mustered only five wins under Noble and drew another, compared to 32 mostly lopsided losses. That amounted to the equal-second-worst winning percentage for any VFL/AFL coach who reached at least 30 games. It was Noble’s first AFL senior coaching job after previously being best known as an administrator, but having also served as an assistant coach many years earlier. The first of 14 defeats in a row before his sacking was a 108-point hiding from Brisbane, after which he delivered an almighty spray to his players. The playing group gave Noble feedback he had gone too hard, and he apologised and vowed to change. But Noble was unable to improve the club’s fortunes.

Leadership changes​

September 2022
President Ben Buckley ended his long association with the club in March, paving the way for Sonja Hood to become one of four women at the time to fill that role in the AFL. Six months later, Ben Amarfio resigned as chief executive after spending less than three years in the job, saying he wanted to give Hood and new coach Alastair Clarkson and football boss Todd Viney “clear air”. “On-field, we have undergone a major rebuild and … year two of our rebuild has proven harder than we envisaged,” Amarfio said. “As CEO, ultimately that responsibility lays with me, and I’m sorry that we let down our members and supporters and fell short of expectations this year.”

The racism saga​

September 2022

Clarkson agreed to a five-year deal to coach North Melbourne in August 2022, which was supposed to herald a bright new era. However, bombshell racism allegations from Clarkson’s time at Hawthorn rocked him and his new club barely a month later, during grand final week. The allegations were published in an ABC article that quoted unnamed First Nations people, who accused Clarkson and others of mistreating them. All accused parties continue to strenuously deny the allegations. The AFL launched an investigation, with the toll of the inquiry leading to Clarkson taking an indefinite break in May last year from the Kangaroos. Brett Ratten took the coaching reins in the interim. The league brokered a deal only weeks later with the families who made the historical allegations, but made no findings against Clarkson, Chris Fagan or Jason Burt. Clarkson returned to the coaches’ box in round 21 last year.

Horne-Francis traded​

October 2022
No.1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis’ tumultuous time at North Melbourne lasted just one season before he requested a trade to Port Adelaide. The club-wide excitement about the gun teenager quickly soured as he engaged in on-field arguments with teammates and clashed with coaches, including infamously refusing to have an ice bath. Horne-Francis became homesick and endured mental health challenges during his short-lived stay at Arden St, and the Kangaroos eventually granted his wish to be a Power player. North forward Cam Zurhaar was particularly scathing of Horne-Francis’ early exit, using a series of social media posts to make clear he was pleased to see him go. The Roos felt it was better to move on from the drama and invest in other young guns rather than holding Horne-Francis to the second season of his draft deal.

Assistance package​


September 2023
The AFL handed North Melbourne three end-of-first-round selections for the 2023 and 2024 drafts as part of a special assistance package. That followed a four-year period when the Kangaroos failed to rise beyond the bottom two, including winning 10 of their previous 82 games. They had looked into ways to gain access to eventual No.6 pick Ryley Sanders, one of their Next Generation Academy prospects, but that did not eventuate after rival clubs protested angrily. North received more modest assistance a year earlier, in the form of two future draft picks – neither in the first round – that had to be used to trade for players. North used them to acquire Griffin Logue and Darcy Tucker.

Thomas sacked​

February 2024
The Kangaroos announced they had sacked Thomas shortly after the AFL issued him with an 18-match suspension. The league’s investigation determined he engaged in acts of misconduct, including threatening a woman via direct messages multiple times, during a period last year when he was undertaking education for similarly inappropriate behaviour. North Melbourne had already stood Thomas down in 2023 and required him to complete a respectful behaviour program. Club CEO Jennifer Watt and president Sonja Hood said Thomas had run out of chances after they had supported him in trying to change. “The club has provided Tarryn with significant time, resources and support, but we’ve now arrived at a point where the individual’s needs don’t match those of the club,” Watt said.
 
shimaburnsgrieg said:

From player culls to short-lived coaches: Can the Kangaroos bounce back from five years of hell?​

Marc McGowan

By Marc McGowan​

February 23, 2024 — 7.49pm
Save

​




North Melbourne’s decision to axe troubled former player Tarryn Thomas on Thursday could mark the final chapter in the club’s five-plus years from hell.
The AFL triggered that turn of events after suspending Thomas for 18 matches, having determined he engaged in acts of misconduct, including threatening a woman via direct messages multiple times.
The 23-year-old will not be eligible to play at all in the 2024 season, after the Kangaroos’ call to cut ties with him, the league confirmed.
Former North Melbourne footballer Tarryn Thomas.

Former North Melbourne footballer Tarryn Thomas.CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES
Thomas cannot join another club until at least the off-season, and must undergo, and satisfactorily progress in, an AFL-approved behavioural program before being allowed to play football at any level.

The Kangaroos have lurched from one controversy to another, and won precious few games, during the aforementioned difficult period – as detailed more extensively below – and continue to try desperately to resurrect their on-field fortunes.
They churned through coaches and staff, experienced a leadership overhaul, had No.1 pick Jason Horne-Francis walk out, and endured coach Alastair Clarkson’s racism investigation, but the Thomas resolution might finally enable them to move forward.
North’s playing list is rich with young, albeit inexperienced talent, from Harry Sheezel and George Wardlaw to Colby McKercher and Zane Duursma, on top of the likes of Luke Davies-Uniacke, Nick Larkey and Jy Simpkin.
As for Thomas, his AFL future beyond this season remains clouded.
This masthead spoke to 10 list management sources on Friday – all from different clubs – to see whether they would consider offering Thomas a lifeline.

Advertisement

Two of them immediately ruled Thomas out, but most others said they were not informed enough on the situation, and it was too soon to contemplate recruiting him, or even discussing the possibility at club level.
Several sources told this masthead that Thomas’ high level of talent was the sole reason he had any chance of receiving another AFL opportunity, but that the industry treated any issue such as this involving a woman more seriously than, for example, drugs, alcohol or gambling.

Brad Scott exits​

May 2019
Scott coached his 211th and final game for North Melbourne (106 wins, 105 losses) in round 10, 2019, revealing afterwards he offered his resignation, which the board accepted. He wanted to coach until season’s end; the board made it immediate. Scott felt a rebuild was required, whereas others felt differently. He did not absolve himself of responsibility in the strategy that led to that point, after being part of the decision to cut experienced quartet Brent Harvey, Nick Dal Santo, Michael Firrito and Drew Petrie at the end of 2016. Daniel Wells left for Collingwood soon after. The Roos never recovered, peaking with a couple of middle-of-the-road seasons in 2018-19.

Former Kangaroos coach Brad Scott back in 2013.

Former Kangaroos coach Brad Scott back in 2013.CREDIT: GETTY

Massive Roo cull​

September 2020
North Melbourne showed plenty of pluck under then-interim coach Rhyce Shaw to end the 2019 campaign – after starting it with two wins from nine games – but fell in a heap the next season. Shaw won the job in an ongoing capacity, only for the Kangaroos to struggle to a 3-14 record in 2020 during the COVID-shortened year. They decided to enter a full-blown rebuild, delisting 13 players (they redrafted Will Walker), including Mason Wood, Majak Daw, Ben Jacobs and Jasper Pittard, and trading Ben Brown and Shaun Higgins. North copped significant criticism about how deep they cut.
Ben Brown during his long career at the Kangaroos.

Ben Brown during his long career at the Kangaroos.CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES

Rhyce Shaw​

October 2020
The Shaw era was brief, and ended with two years to run on his contract. He only weeks earlier took an indefinite break from football to focus on his wellbeing. Then-North Melbourne president Ben Buckley said of Shaw: “He has been an exceptional leader and is a man of the highest integrity … we will continue to work with Rhyce to ensure he has all the support he needs.” Shaw’s departure followed the Kangaroos parting ways with six of his assistants, headlined by contracted senior assistant Jade Rawlings. The club stated the changes coincided with the reshaping of its business amid the impact of COVID-19 on the industry.
Rhyce Shaw the coach in 2020.

Rhyce Shaw the coach in 2020.CREDIT: AFL PHOTOS / GETTY IMAGES

Back-to-back wooden spoons​


2021-22
Not since 1934-35 had North Melbourne finished on the bottom in consecutive seasons. In fact, the Roos had not even finished in last place for almost half a century until they suffered that ignominy in 2021, which they doubled up on a year later. David Noble was coach for most of those forgettable campaigns, which produced a combined six wins, one draw and 37 defeats. An alarming 22 of those losses were by 40-plus points, including one particularly horrid patch between rounds five to 16 in 2022, during which they lost by no fewer than 47. The average losing margin in that period was 64.1 points.

David Noble departs​

July 2022
Noble’s 38-game stint in charge came to a merciless end in the days after a narrow loss to Collingwood in round 17, 2022. The Kangaroos mustered only five wins under Noble and drew another, compared to 32 mostly lopsided losses. That amounted to the equal-second-worst winning percentage for any VFL/AFL coach who reached at least 30 games. It was Noble’s first AFL senior coaching job after previously being best known as an administrator, but having also served as an assistant coach many years earlier. The first of 14 defeats in a row before his sacking was a 108-point hiding from Brisbane, after which he delivered an almighty spray to his players. The playing group gave Noble feedback he had gone too hard, and he apologised and vowed to change. But Noble was unable to improve the club’s fortunes.

Leadership changes​

September 2022
President Ben Buckley ended his long association with the club in March, paving the way for Sonja Hood to become one of four women at the time to fill that role in the AFL. Six months later, Ben Amarfio resigned as chief executive after spending less than three years in the job, saying he wanted to give Hood and new coach Alastair Clarkson and football boss Todd Viney “clear air”. “On-field, we have undergone a major rebuild and … year two of our rebuild has proven harder than we envisaged,” Amarfio said. “As CEO, ultimately that responsibility lays with me, and I’m sorry that we let down our members and supporters and fell short of expectations this year.”

The racism saga​

September 2022

Clarkson agreed to a five-year deal to coach North Melbourne in August 2022, which was supposed to herald a bright new era. However, bombshell racism allegations from Clarkson’s time at Hawthorn rocked him and his new club barely a month later, during grand final week. The allegations were published in an ABC article that quoted unnamed First Nations people, who accused Clarkson and others of mistreating them. All accused parties continue to strenuously deny the allegations. The AFL launched an investigation, with the toll of the inquiry leading to Clarkson taking an indefinite break in May last year from the Kangaroos. Brett Ratten took the coaching reins in the interim. The league brokered a deal only weeks later with the families who made the historical allegations, but made no findings against Clarkson, Chris Fagan or Jason Burt. Clarkson returned to the coaches’ box in round 21 last year.

Horne-Francis traded​

October 2022
No.1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis’ tumultuous time at North Melbourne lasted just one season before he requested a trade to Port Adelaide. The club-wide excitement about the gun teenager quickly soured as he engaged in on-field arguments with teammates and clashed with coaches, including infamously refusing to have an ice bath. Horne-Francis became homesick and endured mental health challenges during his short-lived stay at Arden St, and the Kangaroos eventually granted his wish to be a Power player. North forward Cam Zurhaar was particularly scathing of Horne-Francis’ early exit, using a series of social media posts to make clear he was pleased to see him go. The Roos felt it was better to move on from the drama and invest in other young guns rather than holding Horne-Francis to the second season of his draft deal.

Assistance package​


September 2023
The AFL handed North Melbourne three end-of-first-round selections for the 2023 and 2024 drafts as part of a special assistance package. That followed a four-year period when the Kangaroos failed to rise beyond the bottom two, including winning 10 of their previous 82 games. They had looked into ways to gain access to eventual No.6 pick Ryley Sanders, one of their Next Generation Academy prospects, but that did not eventuate after rival clubs protested angrily. North received more modest assistance a year earlier, in the form of two future draft picks – neither in the first round – that had to be used to trade for players. North used them to acquire Griffin Logue and Darcy Tucker.

Thomas sacked​

February 2024
The Kangaroos announced they had sacked Thomas shortly after the AFL issued him with an 18-match suspension. The league’s investigation determined he engaged in acts of misconduct, including threatening a woman via direct messages multiple times, during a period last year when he was undertaking education for similarly inappropriate behaviour. North Melbourne had already stood Thomas down in 2023 and required him to complete a respectful behaviour program. Club CEO Jennifer Watt and president Sonja Hood said Thomas had run out of chances after they had supported him in trying to change. “The club has provided Tarryn with significant time, resources and support, but we’ve now arrived at a point where the individual’s needs don’t match those of the club,” Watt said.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I needed reading that like I needed a kick to the nuts.
 
SpiderBurton22 said:
Thanks. I needed reading that like I needed a kick to the nuts.
Click to expand...
LOL..I kind of forget that we actually sacked Scott in 2019. I mean we actually won 10 games that year...seems like a decent season compared to 2020-23...

Sent from my SM-A908B using Tapatalk
 
shimaburnsgrieg said:

From player culls to short-lived coaches: Can the Kangaroos bounce back from five years of hell?​

Marc McGowan

By Marc McGowan​

February 23, 2024 — 7.49pm
Save

​




North Melbourne’s decision to axe troubled former player Tarryn Thomas on Thursday could mark the final chapter in the club’s five-plus years from hell.
The AFL triggered that turn of events after suspending Thomas for 18 matches, having determined he engaged in acts of misconduct, including threatening a woman via direct messages multiple times.
The 23-year-old will not be eligible to play at all in the 2024 season, after the Kangaroos’ call to cut ties with him, the league confirmed.
Former North Melbourne footballer Tarryn Thomas.

Former North Melbourne footballer Tarryn Thomas.CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES
Thomas cannot join another club until at least the off-season, and must undergo, and satisfactorily progress in, an AFL-approved behavioural program before being allowed to play football at any level.

The Kangaroos have lurched from one controversy to another, and won precious few games, during the aforementioned difficult period – as detailed more extensively below – and continue to try desperately to resurrect their on-field fortunes.
They churned through coaches and staff, experienced a leadership overhaul, had No.1 pick Jason Horne-Francis walk out, and endured coach Alastair Clarkson’s racism investigation, but the Thomas resolution might finally enable them to move forward.
North’s playing list is rich with young, albeit inexperienced talent, from Harry Sheezel and George Wardlaw to Colby McKercher and Zane Duursma, on top of the likes of Luke Davies-Uniacke, Nick Larkey and Jy Simpkin.
As for Thomas, his AFL future beyond this season remains clouded.
This masthead spoke to 10 list management sources on Friday – all from different clubs – to see whether they would consider offering Thomas a lifeline.

Advertisement

Two of them immediately ruled Thomas out, but most others said they were not informed enough on the situation, and it was too soon to contemplate recruiting him, or even discussing the possibility at club level.
Several sources told this masthead that Thomas’ high level of talent was the sole reason he had any chance of receiving another AFL opportunity, but that the industry treated any issue such as this involving a woman more seriously than, for example, drugs, alcohol or gambling.

Brad Scott exits​

May 2019
Scott coached his 211th and final game for North Melbourne (106 wins, 105 losses) in round 10, 2019, revealing afterwards he offered his resignation, which the board accepted. He wanted to coach until season’s end; the board made it immediate. Scott felt a rebuild was required, whereas others felt differently. He did not absolve himself of responsibility in the strategy that led to that point, after being part of the decision to cut experienced quartet Brent Harvey, Nick Dal Santo, Michael Firrito and Drew Petrie at the end of 2016. Daniel Wells left for Collingwood soon after. The Roos never recovered, peaking with a couple of middle-of-the-road seasons in 2018-19.

Former Kangaroos coach Brad Scott back in 2013.

Former Kangaroos coach Brad Scott back in 2013.CREDIT: GETTY

Massive Roo cull​

September 2020
North Melbourne showed plenty of pluck under then-interim coach Rhyce Shaw to end the 2019 campaign – after starting it with two wins from nine games – but fell in a heap the next season. Shaw won the job in an ongoing capacity, only for the Kangaroos to struggle to a 3-14 record in 2020 during the COVID-shortened year. They decided to enter a full-blown rebuild, delisting 13 players (they redrafted Will Walker), including Mason Wood, Majak Daw, Ben Jacobs and Jasper Pittard, and trading Ben Brown and Shaun Higgins. North copped significant criticism about how deep they cut.
Ben Brown during his long career at the Kangaroos.

Ben Brown during his long career at the Kangaroos.CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES

Rhyce Shaw​

October 2020
The Shaw era was brief, and ended with two years to run on his contract. He only weeks earlier took an indefinite break from football to focus on his wellbeing. Then-North Melbourne president Ben Buckley said of Shaw: “He has been an exceptional leader and is a man of the highest integrity … we will continue to work with Rhyce to ensure he has all the support he needs.” Shaw’s departure followed the Kangaroos parting ways with six of his assistants, headlined by contracted senior assistant Jade Rawlings. The club stated the changes coincided with the reshaping of its business amid the impact of COVID-19 on the industry.
Rhyce Shaw the coach in 2020.

Rhyce Shaw the coach in 2020.CREDIT: AFL PHOTOS / GETTY IMAGES

Back-to-back wooden spoons​


2021-22
Not since 1934-35 had North Melbourne finished on the bottom in consecutive seasons. In fact, the Roos had not even finished in last place for almost half a century until they suffered that ignominy in 2021, which they doubled up on a year later. David Noble was coach for most of those forgettable campaigns, which produced a combined six wins, one draw and 37 defeats. An alarming 22 of those losses were by 40-plus points, including one particularly horrid patch between rounds five to 16 in 2022, during which they lost by no fewer than 47. The average losing margin in that period was 64.1 points.

David Noble departs​

July 2022
Noble’s 38-game stint in charge came to a merciless end in the days after a narrow loss to Collingwood in round 17, 2022. The Kangaroos mustered only five wins under Noble and drew another, compared to 32 mostly lopsided losses. That amounted to the equal-second-worst winning percentage for any VFL/AFL coach who reached at least 30 games. It was Noble’s first AFL senior coaching job after previously being best known as an administrator, but having also served as an assistant coach many years earlier. The first of 14 defeats in a row before his sacking was a 108-point hiding from Brisbane, after which he delivered an almighty spray to his players. The playing group gave Noble feedback he had gone too hard, and he apologised and vowed to change. But Noble was unable to improve the club’s fortunes.

Leadership changes​

September 2022
President Ben Buckley ended his long association with the club in March, paving the way for Sonja Hood to become one of four women at the time to fill that role in the AFL. Six months later, Ben Amarfio resigned as chief executive after spending less than three years in the job, saying he wanted to give Hood and new coach Alastair Clarkson and football boss Todd Viney “clear air”. “On-field, we have undergone a major rebuild and … year two of our rebuild has proven harder than we envisaged,” Amarfio said. “As CEO, ultimately that responsibility lays with me, and I’m sorry that we let down our members and supporters and fell short of expectations this year.”

The racism saga​

September 2022

Clarkson agreed to a five-year deal to coach North Melbourne in August 2022, which was supposed to herald a bright new era. However, bombshell racism allegations from Clarkson’s time at Hawthorn rocked him and his new club barely a month later, during grand final week. The allegations were published in an ABC article that quoted unnamed First Nations people, who accused Clarkson and others of mistreating them. All accused parties continue to strenuously deny the allegations. The AFL launched an investigation, with the toll of the inquiry leading to Clarkson taking an indefinite break in May last year from the Kangaroos. Brett Ratten took the coaching reins in the interim. The league brokered a deal only weeks later with the families who made the historical allegations, but made no findings against Clarkson, Chris Fagan or Jason Burt. Clarkson returned to the coaches’ box in round 21 last year.

Horne-Francis traded​

October 2022
No.1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis’ tumultuous time at North Melbourne lasted just one season before he requested a trade to Port Adelaide. The club-wide excitement about the gun teenager quickly soured as he engaged in on-field arguments with teammates and clashed with coaches, including infamously refusing to have an ice bath. Horne-Francis became homesick and endured mental health challenges during his short-lived stay at Arden St, and the Kangaroos eventually granted his wish to be a Power player. North forward Cam Zurhaar was particularly scathing of Horne-Francis’ early exit, using a series of social media posts to make clear he was pleased to see him go. The Roos felt it was better to move on from the drama and invest in other young guns rather than holding Horne-Francis to the second season of his draft deal.

Assistance package​


September 2023
The AFL handed North Melbourne three end-of-first-round selections for the 2023 and 2024 drafts as part of a special assistance package. That followed a four-year period when the Kangaroos failed to rise beyond the bottom two, including winning 10 of their previous 82 games. They had looked into ways to gain access to eventual No.6 pick Ryley Sanders, one of their Next Generation Academy prospects, but that did not eventuate after rival clubs protested angrily. North received more modest assistance a year earlier, in the form of two future draft picks – neither in the first round – that had to be used to trade for players. North used them to acquire Griffin Logue and Darcy Tucker.

Thomas sacked​

February 2024
The Kangaroos announced they had sacked Thomas shortly after the AFL issued him with an 18-match suspension. The league’s investigation determined he engaged in acts of misconduct, including threatening a woman via direct messages multiple times, during a period last year when he was undertaking education for similarly inappropriate behaviour. North Melbourne had already stood Thomas down in 2023 and required him to complete a respectful behaviour program. Club CEO Jennifer Watt and president Sonja Hood said Thomas had run out of chances after they had supported him in trying to change. “The club has provided Tarryn with significant time, resources and support, but we’ve now arrived at a point where the individual’s needs don’t match those of the club,” Watt said.
Click to expand...
Well that is a depressing read.
 
shimaburnsgrieg said:

From player culls to short-lived coaches: Can the Kangaroos bounce back from five years of hell?​

Marc McGowan

By Marc McGowan​

February 23, 2024 — 7.49pm
Save

​




North Melbourne’s decision to axe troubled former player Tarryn Thomas on Thursday could mark the final chapter in the club’s five-plus years from hell.
The AFL triggered that turn of events after suspending Thomas for 18 matches, having determined he engaged in acts of misconduct, including threatening a woman via direct messages multiple times.
The 23-year-old will not be eligible to play at all in the 2024 season, after the Kangaroos’ call to cut ties with him, the league confirmed.
Former North Melbourne footballer Tarryn Thomas.

Former North Melbourne footballer Tarryn Thomas.CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES
Thomas cannot join another club until at least the off-season, and must undergo, and satisfactorily progress in, an AFL-approved behavioural program before being allowed to play football at any level.

The Kangaroos have lurched from one controversy to another, and won precious few games, during the aforementioned difficult period – as detailed more extensively below – and continue to try desperately to resurrect their on-field fortunes.
They churned through coaches and staff, experienced a leadership overhaul, had No.1 pick Jason Horne-Francis walk out, and endured coach Alastair Clarkson’s racism investigation, but the Thomas resolution might finally enable them to move forward.
North’s playing list is rich with young, albeit inexperienced talent, from Harry Sheezel and George Wardlaw to Colby McKercher and Zane Duursma, on top of the likes of Luke Davies-Uniacke, Nick Larkey and Jy Simpkin.
As for Thomas, his AFL future beyond this season remains clouded.
This masthead spoke to 10 list management sources on Friday – all from different clubs – to see whether they would consider offering Thomas a lifeline.

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Two of them immediately ruled Thomas out, but most others said they were not informed enough on the situation, and it was too soon to contemplate recruiting him, or even discussing the possibility at club level.
Several sources told this masthead that Thomas’ high level of talent was the sole reason he had any chance of receiving another AFL opportunity, but that the industry treated any issue such as this involving a woman more seriously than, for example, drugs, alcohol or gambling.

Brad Scott exits​

May 2019
Scott coached his 211th and final game for North Melbourne (106 wins, 105 losses) in round 10, 2019, revealing afterwards he offered his resignation, which the board accepted. He wanted to coach until season’s end; the board made it immediate. Scott felt a rebuild was required, whereas others felt differently. He did not absolve himself of responsibility in the strategy that led to that point, after being part of the decision to cut experienced quartet Brent Harvey, Nick Dal Santo, Michael Firrito and Drew Petrie at the end of 2016. Daniel Wells left for Collingwood soon after. The Roos never recovered, peaking with a couple of middle-of-the-road seasons in 2018-19.

Former Kangaroos coach Brad Scott back in 2013.

Former Kangaroos coach Brad Scott back in 2013.CREDIT: GETTY

Massive Roo cull​

September 2020
North Melbourne showed plenty of pluck under then-interim coach Rhyce Shaw to end the 2019 campaign – after starting it with two wins from nine games – but fell in a heap the next season. Shaw won the job in an ongoing capacity, only for the Kangaroos to struggle to a 3-14 record in 2020 during the COVID-shortened year. They decided to enter a full-blown rebuild, delisting 13 players (they redrafted Will Walker), including Mason Wood, Majak Daw, Ben Jacobs and Jasper Pittard, and trading Ben Brown and Shaun Higgins. North copped significant criticism about how deep they cut.
Ben Brown during his long career at the Kangaroos.

Ben Brown during his long career at the Kangaroos.CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES

Rhyce Shaw​

October 2020
The Shaw era was brief, and ended with two years to run on his contract. He only weeks earlier took an indefinite break from football to focus on his wellbeing. Then-North Melbourne president Ben Buckley said of Shaw: “He has been an exceptional leader and is a man of the highest integrity … we will continue to work with Rhyce to ensure he has all the support he needs.” Shaw’s departure followed the Kangaroos parting ways with six of his assistants, headlined by contracted senior assistant Jade Rawlings. The club stated the changes coincided with the reshaping of its business amid the impact of COVID-19 on the industry.
Rhyce Shaw the coach in 2020.

Rhyce Shaw the coach in 2020.CREDIT: AFL PHOTOS / GETTY IMAGES

Back-to-back wooden spoons​


2021-22
Not since 1934-35 had North Melbourne finished on the bottom in consecutive seasons. In fact, the Roos had not even finished in last place for almost half a century until they suffered that ignominy in 2021, which they doubled up on a year later. David Noble was coach for most of those forgettable campaigns, which produced a combined six wins, one draw and 37 defeats. An alarming 22 of those losses were by 40-plus points, including one particularly horrid patch between rounds five to 16 in 2022, during which they lost by no fewer than 47. The average losing margin in that period was 64.1 points.

David Noble departs​

July 2022
Noble’s 38-game stint in charge came to a merciless end in the days after a narrow loss to Collingwood in round 17, 2022. The Kangaroos mustered only five wins under Noble and drew another, compared to 32 mostly lopsided losses. That amounted to the equal-second-worst winning percentage for any VFL/AFL coach who reached at least 30 games. It was Noble’s first AFL senior coaching job after previously being best known as an administrator, but having also served as an assistant coach many years earlier. The first of 14 defeats in a row before his sacking was a 108-point hiding from Brisbane, after which he delivered an almighty spray to his players. The playing group gave Noble feedback he had gone too hard, and he apologised and vowed to change. But Noble was unable to improve the club’s fortunes.

Leadership changes​

September 2022
President Ben Buckley ended his long association with the club in March, paving the way for Sonja Hood to become one of four women at the time to fill that role in the AFL. Six months later, Ben Amarfio resigned as chief executive after spending less than three years in the job, saying he wanted to give Hood and new coach Alastair Clarkson and football boss Todd Viney “clear air”. “On-field, we have undergone a major rebuild and … year two of our rebuild has proven harder than we envisaged,” Amarfio said. “As CEO, ultimately that responsibility lays with me, and I’m sorry that we let down our members and supporters and fell short of expectations this year.”

The racism saga​

September 2022

Clarkson agreed to a five-year deal to coach North Melbourne in August 2022, which was supposed to herald a bright new era. However, bombshell racism allegations from Clarkson’s time at Hawthorn rocked him and his new club barely a month later, during grand final week. The allegations were published in an ABC article that quoted unnamed First Nations people, who accused Clarkson and others of mistreating them. All accused parties continue to strenuously deny the allegations. The AFL launched an investigation, with the toll of the inquiry leading to Clarkson taking an indefinite break in May last year from the Kangaroos. Brett Ratten took the coaching reins in the interim. The league brokered a deal only weeks later with the families who made the historical allegations, but made no findings against Clarkson, Chris Fagan or Jason Burt. Clarkson returned to the coaches’ box in round 21 last year.

Horne-Francis traded​

October 2022
No.1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis’ tumultuous time at North Melbourne lasted just one season before he requested a trade to Port Adelaide. The club-wide excitement about the gun teenager quickly soured as he engaged in on-field arguments with teammates and clashed with coaches, including infamously refusing to have an ice bath. Horne-Francis became homesick and endured mental health challenges during his short-lived stay at Arden St, and the Kangaroos eventually granted his wish to be a Power player. North forward Cam Zurhaar was particularly scathing of Horne-Francis’ early exit, using a series of social media posts to make clear he was pleased to see him go. The Roos felt it was better to move on from the drama and invest in other young guns rather than holding Horne-Francis to the second season of his draft deal.

Assistance package​


September 2023
The AFL handed North Melbourne three end-of-first-round selections for the 2023 and 2024 drafts as part of a special assistance package. That followed a four-year period when the Kangaroos failed to rise beyond the bottom two, including winning 10 of their previous 82 games. They had looked into ways to gain access to eventual No.6 pick Ryley Sanders, one of their Next Generation Academy prospects, but that did not eventuate after rival clubs protested angrily. North received more modest assistance a year earlier, in the form of two future draft picks – neither in the first round – that had to be used to trade for players. North used them to acquire Griffin Logue and Darcy Tucker.

Thomas sacked​

February 2024
The Kangaroos announced they had sacked Thomas shortly after the AFL issued him with an 18-match suspension. The league’s investigation determined he engaged in acts of misconduct, including threatening a woman via direct messages multiple times, during a period last year when he was undertaking education for similarly inappropriate behaviour. North Melbourne had already stood Thomas down in 2023 and required him to complete a respectful behaviour program. Club CEO Jennifer Watt and president Sonja Hood said Thomas had run out of chances after they had supported him in trying to change. “The club has provided Tarryn with significant time, resources and support, but we’ve now arrived at a point where the individual’s needs don’t match those of the club,” Watt said.
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When you put it like that….
 
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