Autopsy Autopsy v hawks

[Woolly Mammoth]

All jokes aside, I get this heaviness in my chest even thinking about a North game. It’s just such a drag I start to feel it physically. I try ‘n be light hearted about it, but the heart’s actually heavy. Dread sort of stuff. It’s not the end of the world, but seeing supporters of my footy club feel happiness would make me feel a whole lot better.

Leaving the ground and seeing the North faces, it was like a f*cking funeral procession. Worse than a 150 point loss

 

[Gasometer]

I’m a Formula 1 nerd and was originally feeling conflicted about which sport I was going to watch. It did not stay a difficult choice.

Honestly I just feel nothing. It’s worse than feeling anger or sadness. This is just what I expect now, and I’ve stopped wanting to be part of it.

The club will always have my heart, I can’t let it go completely but I have no desire to even try watching another game this year.

Jumping from one yawn festival to another yawn festival? F1 sucks as well atm with Max’s dominating

 

[Rooniversity]

That's all I have now... memories of our wins.

AFL Match Statistics : North Melbourne defeats West Coast at MCG Round 19 Friday, 26th July 1991

North Melbourne defeats West Coast at MCG Round 19 Friday, 26th July 1991 AFL match statistics

www.footywire.com

I think that was a Friday night, and Fridge Roberts was the difference maker in the last quarter. Might have even kicked a massive torp, but I'm a bit hazy.

Yep, a Friday night, the MCG was being rebuilt in some areas for the 1992 Cricket World Cup and it was July, a very cold night. Fridge was phenomenal that night. We didn't win by much but it was a great win.

 

[Rooniversity]

Leaving the ground and seeing the North faces, it was like a f*cking funeral procession. Worse than a 150 point loss

We are a hardy bunch and sure, gallows humour can be utilised up to a point but for me the reality of how bad we actually are, really sunk in today. We are so far away from being competitive, let alone in contention. I'll always pay up my membership and be part of it, but it's a rough gig.

 

[Rooniversity]

That's all I have now... memories of our wins.

AFL Match Statistics : North Melbourne defeats West Coast at MCG Round 19 Friday, 26th July 1991

North Melbourne defeats West Coast at MCG Round 19 Friday, 26th July 1991 AFL match statistics

www.footywire.com

I think that was a Friday night, and Fridge Roberts was the difference maker in the last quarter. Might have even kicked a massive torp, but I'm a bit hazy.

When you look at some of the names in both those teams...

 

[scottywiper]

Mate from Perth was at game. He sat next to a North fan he said was in his 70s.
The guy had his head in his hands all game, was tearing up, and saying he can't do it anymore.

 

[tazaa]

There were many people on here who mocked those who were angry after the Freo loss...said how exciting one quarter was and how we needed to just wait until the draw opened up.
The writing was on the wall and people were too blind to see it.
No hiding behind a tough draw anymore.
We are unable to be competitive.

We have gotten worse and worse since.
There was alarm bells, sirens, ****ing everything was going off.

I understand there are those who choose to see positives and to back the club in, but its based on nothing but foolishness.

Too many watch the game with a blind loyalty or through a supercoach app.

The list is no good but f*** me the desire and intent is not there. Thats what cost us today.

 

[Spud11]

Mate from Perth was at game. He sat next to a North fan he said was in his 70s.
The guy had his head in his hands all game, was tearing up, and saying he can't do it anymore.

It’s gone a bit further than ‘entertainment’ at that stage hey

 

[fusion]

We are at that unfortunate point where instead of players having to bang down the door in the 2s to play seniors, we need to bring them in purely for structures sake.

We need someone to crumb in the forward line. Hansen Jr? I’m sure he’s a long way off it, but my god we were useless once the ball hit the ground up forward. It’s Hansen Jr or Boomer unretiring.

Similarly in the backline. McDonald out and archer in please.

Chom just stay back. Any wonder he gets injured up forward when our go-forward plan is to kick it 50m in the air directly above him and let big bodies defenders smash him? Oh and then he gets to chop out Xerri to mix things up. He’s the one success of this year to date - don’t fluck it up. Leave him back.

Cheesel on ball and used wherever possible for f50 entries.

McKercher and Scott on wing. And Scott never allowed to try and kick a ball off the ground ever again when picking it up is an option.



Give me a reason to take my 2 kids to the footy. They are almost lost to this side.

Hansen Jr is WORSE than the guys in the team. I know we're frustrated, but bringing in below average VFL players isn't going to work. Sellars is a good VFL player, and can't get a touch in the AFL.

Our midfielders are getting killed in the contests. They are too young/small and don't have the physical ability yet. I don't understand why we dropped Greenwood. He's at least a bigger body, even though he's not going to be anything more than serviceable. I'd rather see him relieve X in the ruck than Larkey or Chom.

Biggie was atrocious - I don't agree with some of the posts about him being ok today. He was miles off his opponent, and was completely out of position all game. Often had his back to the play, and was trying to watch his opponent. And I thought some of his attack on the ball was soft.

McDonald and Corr are only safe because if we drop them, we become even more experienced in the backline, and it'll be even worse.

Even if we don't have the personnel, we can structure up better. Chom just has to be left at CHB and be allowed to develop there. He needs as many games as possible for him to develop as an intercept defender.

Sheezel should be given a run in the middle. Just try something positive. We have to fix the midfield, as it's one way traffic all game.

We can't have Larkey or Chom rucking again - they'll just get injured.

We need to focus on defensive efforts - tackling, pressure acts etc... we are terrible when we don't have the footy (which is a lot). Missed tackles, lack of endeavor... The focus should be to be a manic tackling team, as we certainly aren't going to be a silky skilled team.

How many times can our forwards all go to the one spot to try to win the ball / take a mark, and three opponents sitting goalside, but just off the pack can make uncontested handballs and set up their attack. Happens around the clearances too. Hawthorn was allowed an extra number around the contest, whilst we had a spare defender 30 metres away. Of course we're going to lose the clearance, and the opposition just bypass our spare defender.

Clarko is not coaching well. Everyone needs to lift.

I'm not angry, just resigned to the fact that it's probably 3-5 years of more pain. I don't want any priority picks - we've already had some this year. We'd just stuff up the picks anyway. Improvement needs to start internally, and not hoping for more handouts.

 

[CaptainWorpedo]

One positive for the Roos in my opinion, is at least your guys never gave up and played out 4 Qtrs.

It’s going to take more than 24 months for both our new coaches to turn things around.

I had hoped Sheezel was moved to middle so I could see him in action.

 

[muttley45]

A few of many personal gripes atm.

We are so considerate of the opposition, we always take the maximum amount of time to take a kick from a mark or free, never play straight on, to allow time for defensive structures to be set up.

Nearly all kicks, and today quite a few handballs had enough hang time to allow an easy spoil.

How many smothers are we the victims of, but rarely return the favour ?

Practically zero run from behind for the old give and get to put a bit of speed on ball movement.

1st posession at centre bounce should not be a < 1-2m handball to a stationary team mate.

That will do for now.

 

[danj]

One positive for the Roos in my opinion, is at least your guys never gave up and played out 4 Qtrs.

It’s going to take more than 24 months for both our new coaches to turn things around.

I had hoped Sheezel was moved to middle so I could see him in action.

Dude your intruding on a wake, have some manners

 

[Roobunny]

Jumping from one yawn festival to another yawn festival? F1 sucks as well atm with Max’s dominating

Eh. It helps that I like Max, but there’s always enough unhinged chaos at every race to keep it interesting even with Max’s domination.

Now I have to go finish my little Lance Stroll voodoo doll.

 

[fusion]

Just got home from what was the first time this year I was able to attend live.

We are so much worse in person.

You're 100% right - this is the perfect summary of how I saw the game too.

 

[CaptainWorpedo]

Dude your intruding on a wake, have some manners

Sorry if I offended! However I feel I presented some positive for your club.

 

[scottywiper]

We're the Washington Generals of the AFL.

 

[Jimmy's Hot Dogs]

We're the Washington Generals of the AFL.

But they know they’re the patsies. Our blokes actually think they are AFL standard footballers.

 

[czero]

I'd drop Biggie, Stevens, Drury, Sellers

I'd bring in Wardlaw, Pink, Archer, Finbar

Potentially instead of finbar you could go mr fixit with greenwood.

 

[Ichiro #51]

Hansen Jr is WORSE than the guys in the team. I know we're frustrated, but bringing in below average VFL players isn't going to work. Sellars is a good VFL player, and can't get a touch in the AFL.

Our midfielders are getting killed in the contests. They are too young/small and don't have the physical ability yet. I don't understand why we dropped Greenwood. He's at least a bigger body, even though he's not going to be anything more than serviceable. I'd rather see him relieve X in the ruck than Larkey or Chom.

Biggie was atrocious - I don't agree with some of the posts about him being ok today. He was miles off his opponent, and was completely out of position all game. Often had his back to the play, and was trying to watch his opponent. And I thought some of his attack on the ball was soft.

McDonald and Corr are only safe because if we drop them, we become even more experienced in the backline, and it'll be even worse.

Even if we don't have the personnel, we can structure up better. Chom just has to be left at CHB and be allowed to develop there. He needs as many games as possible for him to develop as an intercept defender.

Sheezel should be given a run in the middle. Just try something positive. We have to fix the midfield, as it's one way traffic all game.

We can't have Larkey or Chom rucking again - they'll just get injured.

We need to focus on defensive efforts - tackling, pressure acts etc... we are terrible when we don't have the footy (which is a lot). Missed tackles, lack of endeavor... The focus should be to be a manic tackling team, as we certainly aren't going to be a silky skilled team.

How many times can our forwards all go to the one spot to try to win the ball / take a mark, and three opponents sitting goalside, but just off the pack can make uncontested handballs and set up their attack. Happens around the clearances too. Hawthorn was allowed an extra number around the contest, whilst we had a spare defender 30 metres away. Of course we're going to lose the clearance, and the opposition just bypass our spare defender.

Clarko is not coaching well. Everyone needs to lift.

I'm not angry, just resigned to the fact that it's probably 3-5 years of more pain. I don't want any priority picks - we've already had some this year. We'd just stuff up the picks anyway. Improvement needs to start internally, and not hoping for more handouts.

Absolutely spot on. We definitely need to switch the focus to the defensive efforts - not as a negative tactic but to establish a base of attitude to the game and the way we approach every contest.

 

[archereleven]

Mate from Perth was at game. He sat next to a North fan he said was in his 70s.
The guy had his head in his hands all game, was tearing up, and saying he can't do it anymore.

He is only 38. The last 5 years have taken a real toll on his health.

On SM-G991B using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Ichiro #51]

A few of many personal gripes atm.

We are so considerate of the opposition, we always take the maximum amount of time to take a kick from a mark or free, never play straight on, to allow time for defensive structures to be set up.

Nearly all kicks, and today quite a few handballs had enough hang time to allow an easy spoil.

How many smothers are we the victims of, but rarely return the favour ?

Practically zero run from behind for the old give and get to put a bit of speed on ball movement.

1st posession at centre bounce should not be a < 1-2m handball to a stationary team mate.

That will do for now.

I agree, and find it very strange tbh. One of the things I always jealously hated about those hawks teams is that they did all those little things so well. I always assumed it was Clarko’s doing. Maybe it was, but we’re just too FUBAR’ed to learn or put it in practice.

 

[The Talent Scout]

If I was a kid looking to be taken with the first pick I would be telling my manager to tell us I’m not interested please don’t pick me

No can do, draft tampering, a big if but if we have the no1 pick and pick a player at 1, they will be coming to our club for at least 3 years and shortly after would be offered an extension. No youngsters are going to do that for many reasons the first I've already said, the other is that it implies I only want to be in a good side and because of my potential and ability I don't want to be with a bottom team, really, what do you think that says about the kid in question if that happened? I could tell you but it wouldn't be pretty!

 

[Snojet]

I can’t remember, in my 62 years of following North, being more flat.
Perhaps I was young and optimistic back in 1971 when we had to wait until round 17 for our only win of the season. It didn’t seem to hurt as badly as now.
So many dumb footballers. 3 or 4 up and nobody down. No leadership. Kicking on forwards heads instead of in front of them. Under no pressure and kicking out on the full…etc…etc…etc.
Even my friends have stopped making jokes and instead check on my wellbeing.

 

[tazaa]

Had a mate attend today who is a Collingwood supporter and sees plenty of their footy under Macrae at the MCG.

After the game I genuinely asked him to name the 2 things that stood out as stark differences between us and them.
I know there's a hundred issues you can easily identify, but from routinely watching the Pies at the G and then comparing us tonight at Marvel - what could he pinpoint as the major differences.

2 things stood out.

1) Fitness
2) Effort

We are not fit enough. It was an absolute joke how often our defenders trailed their man or we couldn't chase their halfbacks from launching attack after attack. Don't even get started on the spread from the contest and getting lost in transition.
Kevin White is a fraud. Collingwood doesn't get rid of anyone who could be a potential asset in the industry and yet we landed with the dud.

The lack of effort and desire to win a contest is at its worse in my time watching and supporting this club. How many times did we see a 50-50 ball and a North player pull up and allow the Hawks to weave their way through. This is the issue with having no quality leaders and no standards on and off the field.


There is a lot of feeling of anger and disappointment amongst the members. Much of it would be tempered if the players pulled their fingers out and actually had a dip. There was nothing to get excited about today. 40 minutes of footy in 6 weeks does not cut it.

And yet I can't believe we sit here and there are sane posters genuinely calling for the AFL to intervene. Myself being one of them.
This has broken us. This Hawthorn side tonight is not AFL standard itself. Think about that for a second.

I genuinely believe the AFL has to intervene. I do not trust Sonja, Jenn, Rawlings, Clayton whoever it is to get us out of this mess.
Every coaching appointment, every contract offer, every draft selection - all of it can no longer be made with the complete impunity the club holds. Simply put North is no longer to be trusted. It is as simple as that.

For the sake of having a balanced and even competition, North cannot continue to make poor decision after poor decision, and continue to lie and bullshit their way through this so called rebuild.

We are embarrassed. We are prideless. We are a joke to our opponents and sadly now - young talent is being caught up in this mess.
As for members, I truly despise the process of waiting for our game to come round on the weekend, only to turn the TV on and see Luke McDonald and Jy Simpkin

12

Jy Simpkin

Age

26

Ht

183cm

Wt

77kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.0

4star

K

7.9

3star

HB

8.1

5star

M

2.4

3star

T

3.3

5star

CL

2.9

4star

D

20.6

5star

K

11.0

4star

HB

9.6

5star

M

2.0

2star

T

3.5

4star

CL

5.5

5star

D

10.0

3star

K

5.6

3star

HB

4.4

4star

M

2.8

3star

T

2.4

4star

CL

0.2

2star

kicking the footy around or liabilities like Corr and Stephens and Fisher stealing a wage.

The time to get serious as a football club has come and gone. It is time for the league to step in because for years the club has shown itself incapable of doing so.
North cannot be tasked with fixing its own problems. You cannot make the same mistakes over and over again and then declare you will fix it and be part of the solution. No more chances.

Get an independent group in. Well experienced credentialled individuals in who have been part of successful football sides and organisations that have achieved the ultimate success. Run a comprehensive audit of the club. Forensically examine all operations and the most important part - hold the final call on any decisions we make off-field. This is the starting point.
Until there is a permanent turnround in results and that may mean a mix of being competitive in matches and actually winning games of football, until the League sees that consistent pattern of being able to compete on a week to week basis - thats when you can gradually start to hand over full control and authority back to leaders at the club.
But for now there needs to be an interjection.

 

[Spud11]

Starts to feel like whatever we think we’re building towards isn’t even worth it if this is what we have to go through.
We might be competitive in another 5 years. And if we are, was it really worth 5 bottom 3 finishes and a winless season?
This club is an absolute embarrassment. Get in the f******* moment.