Opinion Commentary & Media VII

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Roos skipper wants Zurhaar, Phillips to stay -
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl...ins-consults-specialists-20240624-p5jo47.html​

Jon Pierik

North Melbourne co-captain Jy Simpkin says teammate Will Phillips is working his way towards a new contract, and hopes free agent Cam Zurhaar has been enthused by the Kangaroos’ recent form to remain at the club.
Phillips, 22, is off contract at the end of the season, but has been reborn as a robust tagger, at a time when the run-with player is back in vogue.

A week after he subdued Nick Daicos through three quarters, before he was controversially subbed off at the final change, Phillips silenced Melbourne match-winner Clayton Oliver in a three-point loss on Saturday night at the MCG.

Simpkin said on Monday that he hoped Phillips remained at Arden Street.

“I hope so. We all love Will at the club. He is a great kid. He works hard, he trains hard, he drives standards,” Simpkin said, speaking at the AFL’s launch of Kids go Free games.

“He is a really dedicated player. You just give him a role and he just wants to nail it all times. He just sticks to it. He is very strong inside the contest, and when he comes up against a contested guy, like on the weekend, Clayton Oliver, who is probably the best at it, for him to do the job that he did was just awesome.”

Oliver had only two disposals in the first term, three in the second and finished with a season-low 14 touches, having had 28 against the Magpies on the King’s Birthday against Collingwood.

“We went throughout the whole game not having to worry about ‘Clarry’, which wouldn’t happen too many times,” Simpkin said.

There was speculation Phillips, the No.3 selection in the 2020 draft, could be traded at the end of the season. Phillips had played in rounds seven, eight and 10 before again losing his spot, but returned in a new role against the Magpies.

Zurhaar, a restricted free agent, has put contract discussions on hold. Zurhaar wants to taste sustained success, a commodity in short supply during his almost eight seasons at the club. However, he remains an important player, the robust forward booting 21 goals, including a season-high four, against the Demons.

Simpkin said Zurhaar was an important player the Kangaroos wanted to retain.

“I think Cam is a barometer for us. When Cam is up and going, the whole team is up and going. His last few weeks have probably proven that to everyone,” Simpkin said.

The Kangaroos did not wish to comment on contractual matters when contacted on Monday.

The Kangaroos remain at the bottom of the ladder with only one win this season, but they have enjoyed a strong three weeks. There was the breakthrough win over the Eagles, an agonising one-point loss to Collingwood, having squandered a 54-point lead, and a three-point loss to Melbourne, having fought back strongly after half-time.

Now preparing to face the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Saturday, they are sufficiently encouraged to work at training on how to handle the final minutes of games when the result is in the balance. While teams in the finals mix have trained meticulously for those moments – Collingwood have made it an art form under Craig McRae – it’s only now the Kangaroos feel it’s time to act, having been more accustomed to heavy defeats this decade.

Youngster Colby McKersher and fellow defender Griffin Logue made successful returns from injury against Casey in the VFL on Sunday.

Logue, in his first game of the season after a knee injury, had 14 disposals, including seven marks, while McKercher, having been absent for five weeks because of a knee problem, had 29 touches. Simpkin was also impressed with high-leaping Zan Duursma, who is pushing for a senior recall.
 
nelroo said:
Hardwick on 360 saying the Northern Academies are crucial for keeping people interested in the game .. get stuffed , you want freebies. How about you start winning more games and then people will be interested in you.
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Same bloke that complained about the "travel" Richmond had to do when playing at Marvel
 
giantroo said:
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Makeshift Park said:
Pity that's the one North game I'm definitely gonna be able to see live for the remainder of the year.

I'm looking forward to it about as much as the Swans vs Dogs game a fortnight later that I'll be attending on account of my kid playing at halftime.
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Having said that, ironically, we appear to have measured up well against Sydney during our otherwise horror run. We were very unlucky to lose to them on two occasions.
 
DuckYeah said:
Maybe champion data isnt full of shit after all
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Hyney from champion data on the Sen show with Kayne and Gerard just said that Sheezel has had the best 6 weeks for someone 20 and under since the bont did it back in the day, Kayno was sceptical but did say in the lord and sheez it will turn into a great 1-2 punch with time, them being C and VC in the future
 

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DaNgEr_lOOms said:
Hyney from champion data on the Sen show with Kayne and Gerard just said that Sheezel has had the best 6 weeks for someone 20 and under since the bont did it back in the day, Kayno was sceptical but did say in the lord and sheez it will turn into a great 1-2 punch with time, them being C and VC in the future
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Wow. 🤩
 
King Corey said:
Dan is way better looking.
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How unusual, but at the same time conveniently after her non 50m presser faux pas, is it being reported that Laura Kane is on annual leave, mid season, when everything is going so well and nothing in need of attention ???
 
muttley45 said:
How unusual, but at the same time conveniently after her non 50m presser faux pas, is it being reported that Laura Kane is on annual leave, mid season, when everything is going so well and nothing in need of attention ???
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I imagine her garden will flourish over the next few weeks based on this news.
 
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