Opinion Commentary & Media VII

[Themanbun]

Love Simmo.
Get him in to take over the list in 3 years time.

No more blokes who played a part in West Coast's collapse IMO

 

[Kanga Glory]

AFL season review: North Melbourne’s struggles continue as lengthy rebuild ploughs on​

North Melbourne’s rebuild is blowing out like a Victorian construction project. Is 2025 the year the rebuild finally begins to take flight? Or is there simply too much more work left to do?
Josh Barnes
Follow

@Josh__Barnes

4 min read
August 28, 2024 - 12:00PM

7 comments

FOXSPORTS12:56 Clarkson recaps tough Roos season​

UP NEXT

• "

AFL: North Melbourne Kangaroos coach Alastair Clarkson spoke to the media following their Round 24 defeat to the Hawthorn Hawks.


Another year carried a familiar tune for North Melbourne fans – in that they rarely heard their own theme song after games.
The Roos sung their song just three times in 2024, as their rebuild begins to blow out like Victoria’s Big Build.
Finishing only above Richmond on the ladder, the Roos have now won four games or less in each of their last five seasons and finished in the bottom two in all of those years in what has been one of the ugliest runs of form by a club in the modern era.
The excuses are there for Alastair Clarkson’s team – North Melbourne ranked last for experience and last for average age heading into the season.

Battling Roos​

Year	Record	Ladder position
2024	3-20	17th
2023	3-20	17th
2022	2-20	18th
2021	4-1-17	18th
2020	3-14	17th

Those at Arden St knew they would face another slog in 2024 but hoped to win closer to 6-8 games rather than a paltry three.
And again, Roos fans shuffled to the end of the season in agony, watching on Saturday as Hawthorn belted them by 124 points, the biggest loss of Clarkson’s glittering coaching career.
That the Hawks surged into the top eight and are head, shoulders and chest above the Kangaroos must sting the club, given the two teams essentially started rebuilds at the same time.

Harry Sheezel is a bona fide star. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos
There were some bright points this year, with Harry Sheezel again dominant – and surely close to winning his second best-and-fairest and his second season.
And his midfield lieutenants in George Wardlaw, Colby McKercher and Tom Powell all took steps up.
Tristan Xerri bolted into the All-Australian squad this year after a stunning year in the ruck and midfield bull Luke Davies-Uniacke continues to close in on becoming an elite ball user.
But North must lock him down next year.

CONTRACT CALLS​

Davies-Uniacke pledged himself to the Roos back in June when he said: “I see myself playing for North Melbourne for the rest of my career”.
But until he signs a long extension, ‘LDU’ will remain one of the footy’s hottest commodities and rival clubs, such as St Kilda and Essendon, would surely throw everything they have at him.
He is out of contract at the end of next year.
The Roos have been excellent at keeping their top-line players – such as Cam Zurhaar and Nick Larkey – so will be expecting to ink a new deal, even though Davies-Uniacke has won just 12 of his last 75 games.

Liam Shiels has retired. Picture: Steve Bell/AFL Photos
Clarkson has been open about the fact the Roos will go after experienced heads this off-season, with the young list losing its two eldest players in Liam Shiels and Hugh Greenwood to retirement.
As the list stands now, only Aidan Corr will be over 30 when pre-season begins.
The oldest list in the league, Collingwood, had nine players start this year over the age of 30.
And before this season, the Pies had 11 players with 150 games experience on the list.
Right now, the Roos will have just three – Luke McDonald (202 games), Corr (162) and Jy Simpkin (152).

Experience Lacking​

Oldest Kangaroos at round 1, 2025

• Aidan Corr - 30 years old
• Luke McDonald - 30
• Darcy Tucker - 28
• Jy Simpkin - 27
• Griffin Logue - 26

Most games experience at Roos

• Luke McDonald - 203
• Aidan Corr - 162
• Jy Simpkin - 152
• Darcy Tucker - 149
• Zac Fisher - 125

North Melbourne needs a steady head around the ball and key position support at both ends.
Nick Haynes looks likely to head to Carlton, but the Roos would be well served getting in his ear, while Clarkson himself threw up names last week like Dane Rampe, Luke Parker, Ollie Wines and Callan Ward.

Alastair Clarkson would like to speak to Giants great Callan Ward.
Jack Viney will not be moving to join his father Todd at Arden St, after signing a new deal at Melbourne.
Could the Roos get into Western Bulldogs pair Caleb Daniel or Jack Macrae after they have been on the outer in stages this year?
St Kilda’s Dougal Howard would be a strong fit down back.
Former No. 3 draft pick Will Phillips may be on the move, after being in-and-out of the line-up all year and often used as a tagger.
Clarkson and his coaches need to find a way to salvage Jaidyn Stephenson’s once bright career after he fell out of the team this season.
Top Performers
Jesse Hogan
69
Goals

Lachie Whitfield
711
Disposals

Luke Ryan
198
Marks

Matthew Rowell
184
Tackles

OFF THE FIELD​

Clarkson is contracted for three more seasons at North so the pressure hasn’t intensified on the coach so far, but virtually nothing has gone right since he returned to the club.
The lingering weight of racism allegations from Clarkson’s time at Hawthorn, which he strongly denies, and the saga of now-delisted midfielder Tarryn Thomas surely haven’t helped the club grow on field.

Alastair Clarkson has had a disastrous start to his stint as North coach. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos
The Roos showed some signs of life after the bye and played in a string of close losses but then lost their final two games by a combined 220 points.
Even if pressure on his actual job has not yet intensified, Clarkson needs some results next year.
The club redesigned its development team over the off-season, bringing in Michael Barlow to run a new group.
With so many young players, the Roos will hope to see results there next season.

GETTING BETTER​

North Melbourne simply has to be better in 2025, and the Roos should be.
Mark Sheezel down as a Brownlow Medal contender in 2025.
Is it too early to push Sheezel into a captaincy role?
Co-captains this year Simpkin and McDonald both had only OK seasons, while Sheezel and vice-captain Nick Larkey are clearly the future of the club.

Will Nick Larkey and Harry Sheezel captain the Roos? Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos
Jackson Archer and Paul Curtis took steps forward at either end of the ground and Zane Duursma will be a player when he develops.
The Roos have been sky high on the potential of Brayden George but the luckless forward has copped two ACL injuries – and a nasty elbow dislocation – so he just needs to play footy.
Wil Dawson has shown promise as a raw big man.
It’s a familiar formula for North this off-season – draft near the top and pick well, and try and lure experienced players.
Surely, they can only go up, and need to win at least six games.
WAY TOO EARLY PREDICTION: 15th (6-17)

More Coverage​

.​

 

[Lomas]

AFL season review: North Melbourne’s struggles continue as lengthy rebuild ploughs on​

North Melbourne’s rebuild is blowing out like a Victorian construction project. Is 2025 the year the rebuild finally begins to take flight? Or is there simply too much more work left to do?
Josh Barnes
Follow

@Josh__Barnes

4 min read
August 28, 2024 - 12:00PM

7 comments

FOXSPORTS12:56 Clarkson recaps tough Roos season​

UP NEXT

• "

AFL: North Melbourne Kangaroos coach Alastair Clarkson spoke to the media following their Round 24 defeat to the Hawthorn Hawks.


Another year carried a familiar tune for North Melbourne fans – in that they rarely heard their own theme song after games.
The Roos sung their song just three times in 2024, as their rebuild begins to blow out like Victoria’s Big Build.
Finishing only above Richmond on the ladder, the Roos have now won four games or less in each of their last five seasons and finished in the bottom two in all of those years in what has been one of the ugliest runs of form by a club in the modern era.
The excuses are there for Alastair Clarkson’s team – North Melbourne ranked last for experience and last for average age heading into the season.

Battling Roos​

Year	Record	Ladder position
2024	3-20	17th
2023	3-20	17th
2022	2-20	18th
2021	4-1-17	18th
2020	3-14	17th

Those at Arden St knew they would face another slog in 2024 but hoped to win closer to 6-8 games rather than a paltry three.
And again, Roos fans shuffled to the end of the season in agony, watching on Saturday as Hawthorn belted them by 124 points, the biggest loss of Clarkson’s glittering coaching career.
That the Hawks surged into the top eight and are head, shoulders and chest above the Kangaroos must sting the club, given the two teams essentially started rebuilds at the same time.

Harry Sheezel is a bona fide star. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos
There were some bright points this year, with Harry Sheezel again dominant – and surely close to winning his second best-and-fairest and his second season.
And his midfield lieutenants in George Wardlaw, Colby McKercher and Tom Powell all took steps up.
Tristan Xerri bolted into the All-Australian squad this year after a stunning year in the ruck and midfield bull Luke Davies-Uniacke continues to close in on becoming an elite ball user.
But North must lock him down next year.

CONTRACT CALLS​

Davies-Uniacke pledged himself to the Roos back in June when he said: “I see myself playing for North Melbourne for the rest of my career”.
But until he signs a long extension, ‘LDU’ will remain one of the footy’s hottest commodities and rival clubs, such as St Kilda and Essendon, would surely throw everything they have at him.
He is out of contract at the end of next year.
The Roos have been excellent at keeping their top-line players – such as Cam Zurhaar and Nick Larkey – so will be expecting to ink a new deal, even though Davies-Uniacke has won just 12 of his last 75 games.

Liam Shiels has retired. Picture: Steve Bell/AFL Photos
Clarkson has been open about the fact the Roos will go after experienced heads this off-season, with the young list losing its two eldest players in Liam Shiels and Hugh Greenwood to retirement.
As the list stands now, only Aidan Corr will be over 30 when pre-season begins.
The oldest list in the league, Collingwood, had nine players start this year over the age of 30.
And before this season, the Pies had 11 players with 150 games experience on the list.
Right now, the Roos will have just three – Luke McDonald (202 games), Corr (162) and Jy Simpkin (152).

Experience Lacking​

Oldest Kangaroos at round 1, 2025

• Aidan Corr - 30 years old
• Luke McDonald - 30
• Darcy Tucker - 28
• Jy Simpkin - 27
• Griffin Logue - 26

Most games experience at Roos

• Luke McDonald - 203
• Aidan Corr - 162
• Jy Simpkin - 152
• Darcy Tucker - 149
• Zac Fisher - 125

North Melbourne needs a steady head around the ball and key position support at both ends.
Nick Haynes looks likely to head to Carlton, but the Roos would be well served getting in his ear, while Clarkson himself threw up names last week like Dane Rampe, Luke Parker, Ollie Wines and Callan Ward.

Alastair Clarkson would like to speak to Giants great Callan Ward.
Jack Viney will not be moving to join his father Todd at Arden St, after signing a new deal at Melbourne.
Could the Roos get into Western Bulldogs pair Caleb Daniel or Jack Macrae after they have been on the outer in stages this year?
St Kilda’s Dougal Howard would be a strong fit down back.
Former No. 3 draft pick Will Phillips may be on the move, after being in-and-out of the line-up all year and often used as a tagger.
Clarkson and his coaches need to find a way to salvage Jaidyn Stephenson’s once bright career after he fell out of the team this season.
Top Performers
Jesse Hogan
69
Goals

Lachie Whitfield
711
Disposals

Luke Ryan
198
Marks

Matthew Rowell
184
Tackles

OFF THE FIELD​

Clarkson is contracted for three more seasons at North so the pressure hasn’t intensified on the coach so far, but virtually nothing has gone right since he returned to the club.
The lingering weight of racism allegations from Clarkson’s time at Hawthorn, which he strongly denies, and the saga of now-delisted midfielder Tarryn Thomas surely haven’t helped the club grow on field.

Alastair Clarkson has had a disastrous start to his stint as North coach. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos
The Roos showed some signs of life after the bye and played in a string of close losses but then lost their final two games by a combined 220 points.
Even if pressure on his actual job has not yet intensified, Clarkson needs some results next year.
The club redesigned its development team over the off-season, bringing in Michael Barlow to run a new group.
With so many young players, the Roos will hope to see results there next season.

GETTING BETTER​

North Melbourne simply has to be better in 2025, and the Roos should be.
Mark Sheezel down as a Brownlow Medal contender in 2025.
Is it too early to push Sheezel into a captaincy role?
Co-captains this year Simpkin and McDonald both had only OK seasons, while Sheezel and vice-captain Nick Larkey are clearly the future of the club.

Will Nick Larkey and Harry Sheezel captain the Roos? Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos
Jackson Archer and Paul Curtis took steps forward at either end of the ground and Zane Duursma will be a player when he develops.
The Roos have been sky high on the potential of Brayden George but the luckless forward has copped two ACL injuries – and a nasty elbow dislocation – so he just needs to play footy.
Wil Dawson has shown promise as a raw big man.
It’s a familiar formula for North this off-season – draft near the top and pick well, and try and lure experienced players.
Surely, they can only go up, and need to win at least six games.
WAY TOO EARLY PREDICTION: 15th (6-17)

More Coverage​

.​

No mention of Xerri?

 

[TopEndRoo]

I see the AFL reporters have had a crack at predicting the Rising Star

40 – Ollie Dempsey (Geelong)
23 – George Wardlaw (North Melbourne)
11 – Darcy Wilson (St Kilda)
10 – Bodhi Uwland (Gold Coast)
8 – Kai Lohmann (Brisbane)
8 – Colby McKercher (North Melbourne)
7 – Matt Roberts (Sydney)
5 – Nick Watson (Hawthorn)
4 – Caleb Windsor (Melbourne)
3 – Darcy Jones (Greater Western Sydney)
1 – Calsher Dear (Hawthorn)

Not sure what footy Gemma Bastiani has been watching but she didn’t have George or Colby in her top 5!

I reckon Colby’s year has been massively underrated and he could easily end up the best of the 2023 draft..


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Lomas]

I see the AFL reporters have had a crack at predicting the Rising Star

40 – Ollie Dempsey (Geelong)
23 – George Wardlaw (North Melbourne)
11 – Darcy Wilson (St Kilda)
10 – Bodhi Uwland (Gold Coast)
8 – Kai Lohmann (Brisbane)
8 – Colby McKercher (North Melbourne)
7 – Matt Roberts (Sydney)
5 – Nick Watson (Hawthorn)
4 – Caleb Windsor (Melbourne)
3 – Darcy Jones (Greater Western Sydney)
1 – Calsher Dear (Hawthorn)

Not sure what footy Gemma Bastiani has been watching but she didn’t have George or Colby in her top 5!

I reckon Colby’s year has been massively underrated and he could easily end up the best of the 2023 draft..


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

I think Hodge had Colby number 2 or three this morning.

 

[LB2Snake]

Hawthorn had 3 in 2005 with 5 wins.

Shit!! Really? That’s 5 wins though I guess. Still surprised at that.

 

[Passmore]

Shit!! Really? That’s 5 wins though I guess. Still surprised at that.

I was all WTF!! at the time….now I’m ready to be outraged when we don’t get 2 …..

 

[Gasometer]

Josh Barnes. John’s son? Who does he play for and why was his 4K boof inserted into that post?

 

[koshari]

Risingg star, if dempsey dont win it is rigged.

 

[Shinboner1]

AFL season review: North Melbourne’s struggles continue as lengthy rebuild ploughs on​

North Melbourne’s rebuild is blowing out like a Victorian construction project. Is 2025 the year the rebuild finally begins to take flight? Or is there simply too much more work left to do?
Josh Barnes
Follow

@Josh__Barnes

4 min read
August 28, 2024 - 12:00PM

7 comments

FOXSPORTS12:56 Clarkson recaps tough Roos season​

UP NEXT

• "

AFL: North Melbourne Kangaroos coach Alastair Clarkson spoke to the media following their Round 24 defeat to the Hawthorn Hawks.


Another year carried a familiar tune for North Melbourne fans – in that they rarely heard their own theme song after games.
The Roos sung their song just three times in 2024, as their rebuild begins to blow out like Victoria’s Big Build.
Finishing only above Richmond on the ladder, the Roos have now won four games or less in each of their last five seasons and finished in the bottom two in all of those years in what has been one of the ugliest runs of form by a club in the modern era.
The excuses are there for Alastair Clarkson’s team – North Melbourne ranked last for experience and last for average age heading into the season.

Battling Roos​

Year	Record	Ladder position
2024	3-20	17th
2023	3-20	17th
2022	2-20	18th
2021	4-1-17	18th
2020	3-14	17th

Those at Arden St knew they would face another slog in 2024 but hoped to win closer to 6-8 games rather than a paltry three.
And again, Roos fans shuffled to the end of the season in agony, watching on Saturday as Hawthorn belted them by 124 points, the biggest loss of Clarkson’s glittering coaching career.
That the Hawks surged into the top eight and are head, shoulders and chest above the Kangaroos must sting the club, given the two teams essentially started rebuilds at the same time.

Harry Sheezel is a bona fide star. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos
There were some bright points this year, with Harry Sheezel again dominant – and surely close to winning his second best-and-fairest and his second season.
And his midfield lieutenants in George Wardlaw, Colby McKercher and Tom Powell all took steps up.
Tristan Xerri bolted into the All-Australian squad this year after a stunning year in the ruck and midfield bull Luke Davies-Uniacke continues to close in on becoming an elite ball user.
But North must lock him down next year.

CONTRACT CALLS​

Davies-Uniacke pledged himself to the Roos back in June when he said: “I see myself playing for North Melbourne for the rest of my career”.
But until he signs a long extension, ‘LDU’ will remain one of the footy’s hottest commodities and rival clubs, such as St Kilda and Essendon, would surely throw everything they have at him.
He is out of contract at the end of next year.
The Roos have been excellent at keeping their top-line players – such as Cam Zurhaar and Nick Larkey – so will be expecting to ink a new deal, even though Davies-Uniacke has won just 12 of his last 75 games.

Liam Shiels has retired. Picture: Steve Bell/AFL Photos
Clarkson has been open about the fact the Roos will go after experienced heads this off-season, with the young list losing its two eldest players in Liam Shiels and Hugh Greenwood to retirement.
As the list stands now, only Aidan Corr will be over 30 when pre-season begins.
The oldest list in the league, Collingwood, had nine players start this year over the age of 30.
And before this season, the Pies had 11 players with 150 games experience on the list.
Right now, the Roos will have just three – Luke McDonald (202 games), Corr (162) and Jy Simpkin (152).

Experience Lacking​

Oldest Kangaroos at round 1, 2025

• Aidan Corr - 30 years old
• Luke McDonald - 30
• Darcy Tucker - 28
• Jy Simpkin - 27
• Griffin Logue - 26

Most games experience at Roos

• Luke McDonald - 203
• Aidan Corr - 162
• Jy Simpkin - 152
• Darcy Tucker - 149
• Zac Fisher - 125

North Melbourne needs a steady head around the ball and key position support at both ends.
Nick Haynes looks likely to head to Carlton, but the Roos would be well served getting in his ear, while Clarkson himself threw up names last week like Dane Rampe, Luke Parker, Ollie Wines and Callan Ward.

Alastair Clarkson would like to speak to Giants great Callan Ward.
Jack Viney will not be moving to join his father Todd at Arden St, after signing a new deal at Melbourne.
Could the Roos get into Western Bulldogs pair Caleb Daniel or Jack Macrae after they have been on the outer in stages this year?
St Kilda’s Dougal Howard would be a strong fit down back.
Former No. 3 draft pick Will Phillips may be on the move, after being in-and-out of the line-up all year and often used as a tagger.
Clarkson and his coaches need to find a way to salvage Jaidyn Stephenson’s once bright career after he fell out of the team this season.
Top Performers
Jesse Hogan
69
Goals

Lachie Whitfield
711
Disposals

Luke Ryan
198
Marks

Matthew Rowell
184
Tackles

OFF THE FIELD​

Clarkson is contracted for three more seasons at North so the pressure hasn’t intensified on the coach so far, but virtually nothing has gone right since he returned to the club.
The lingering weight of racism allegations from Clarkson’s time at Hawthorn, which he strongly denies, and the saga of now-delisted midfielder Tarryn Thomas surely haven’t helped the club grow on field.

Alastair Clarkson has had a disastrous start to his stint as North coach. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos
The Roos showed some signs of life after the bye and played in a string of close losses but then lost their final two games by a combined 220 points.
Even if pressure on his actual job has not yet intensified, Clarkson needs some results next year.
The club redesigned its development team over the off-season, bringing in Michael Barlow to run a new group.
With so many young players, the Roos will hope to see results there next season.

GETTING BETTER​

North Melbourne simply has to be better in 2025, and the Roos should be.
Mark Sheezel down as a Brownlow Medal contender in 2025.
Is it too early to push Sheezel into a captaincy role?
Co-captains this year Simpkin and McDonald both had only OK seasons, while Sheezel and vice-captain Nick Larkey are clearly the future of the club.

Will Nick Larkey and Harry Sheezel captain the Roos? Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos
Jackson Archer and Paul Curtis took steps forward at either end of the ground and Zane Duursma will be a player when he develops.
The Roos have been sky high on the potential of Brayden George but the luckless forward has copped two ACL injuries – and a nasty elbow dislocation – so he just needs to play footy.
Wil Dawson has shown promise as a raw big man.
It’s a familiar formula for North this off-season – draft near the top and pick well, and try and lure experienced players.
Surely, they can only go up, and need to win at least six games.
WAY TOO EARLY PREDICTION: 15th (6-17)

More Coverage​

.​

I didn't know toadie was writing articles.

 

[chubbspeterson]

I find it interesting how they refer to the rebuilds. Hawks have rebuilt under Mitchell in 3 years, yet you could argue their rebuild started a bit earlier under Clarko. So I guess it depends what the starting point is.
A new coach taking over I guess they can use that line and just look at those coaching years but the reailty is it has taken 6 years for the Hawks to get back into finals since 2018 and we haven't been back since 2016.

2008 (Clarko) - Breust (47)
2011 (Clarko) - Gunston (Trade)
2013 (Clarko) - Sicily (56)
2015 (Clarko) - Harwick (44)
2016 (Clarko) - Nash (Cat B), Morrison (74), Lewis (76)
2017 (Clarko) - Impey (trade), Jiath (Other), Worpel (45), Moore (67)
2018 (Clarko) - Scrimshaw (trade), Wingard (trade), Reeves (PSS)
2019 (Clarko) - Frost (trade), Day (13), Finn Maginess (29)
2020 (Clarko) - Grainger-Barass (6), Mitchell (29), Newcombe (MSD)
2021 (Clarko) - Ward (7), Butler (23), C MacDonald (26), J Serong (53), Long (Rookie), Ramsden (MSD), Blanck (MSD)
2022 (Mitchell) - Meek, Stephens, Amon (Trade/FA), Mackenzie (7), Weddle (18), Hustwaite (37), O'Sullivan (46), B Macdonald (51), Tucker (MSD), Bennetts (NGA)
2023 (Mitchell) - Chol, D'Ambrosio, Ginnivan, Gunston (trades), Watson (5), McCabe (19), Bodie Ryan (46), Dear (56), Scaife (MSD), Phillips (PSS)
2024 (Mitchell) - Back into finals (6 years later)

 

[DuckYeah]

Not sure what footy Gemma Bastiani has been watching

 

[Friday Night Lights]

I see the AFL reporters have had a crack at predicting the Rising Star

40 – Ollie Dempsey (Geelong)
23 – George Wardlaw (North Melbourne)
11 – Darcy Wilson (St Kilda)
10 – Bodhi Uwland (Gold Coast)
8 – Kai Lohmann (Brisbane)
8 – Colby McKercher (North Melbourne)
7 – Matt Roberts (Sydney)
5 – Nick Watson (Hawthorn)
4 – Caleb Windsor (Melbourne)
3 – Darcy Jones (Greater Western Sydney)
1 – Calsher Dear (Hawthorn)

Not sure what footy Gemma Bastiani has been watching but she didn’t have George or Colby in her top 5!

I reckon Colby’s year has been massively underrated and he could easily end up the best of the 2023 draft..


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

Agree, that’s wild how low Colby is.

Take out the Geelong game where he went down injured after one touch and he’s averaged over 25 disposals a game. That’s top 25ish for the entire comp.

 

[domiroo]

I see the AFL reporters have had a crack at predicting the Rising Star

40 – Ollie Dempsey (Geelong)
23 – George Wardlaw (North Melbourne)
11 – Darcy Wilson (St Kilda)
10 – Bodhi Uwland (Gold Coast)
8 – Kai Lohmann (Brisbane)
8 – Colby McKercher (North Melbourne)
7 – Matt Roberts (Sydney)
5 – Nick Watson (Hawthorn)
4 – Caleb Windsor (Melbourne)
3 – Darcy Jones (Greater Western Sydney)
1 – Calsher Dear (Hawthorn)

Not sure what footy Gemma Bastiani has been watching but she didn’t have George or Colby in her top 5!

I reckon Colby’s year has been massively underrated and he could easily end up the best of the 2023 draft..


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

Honestly regardless of age . Dempsey is in his 3rd year I know George is in his second. So these guys have had a head start in knowing what it takes but 3 years in the system honestly. This award should be just for first year players that’s it .

 

[shintemaster]

Honestly regardless of age . Dempsey is in his 3rd year I know George is in his second. So these guys have had a head start in knowing what it takes but 3 years in the system honestly. This award should be just for first year players that’s it .

I reckon "debut" year players would be ideal. That way if you're a KPP and don't get a look until year 3 you're still on par with players that should reasonably be expected to impact earlier. It mostly doesn't matter though, it's just an award for first out the gate mid types in the end. Fast, explosive players will always have a leg up.

 

[giantroo]

The 2024 fan-voted AFL All-Australian team​

FB: Dayne Zorko

15

Dayne Zorko

Age

35

Ht

175cm

Wt

77kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

21.4

5star

K

13.2

5star

HB

8.2

5star

M

3.6

4star

T

6.0

5star

CL

3.6

5star

D

14.0

3star

K

9.0

4star

HB

5.0

3star

M

2.0

2star

T

5.0

5star

CL

2.0

4star

D

16.4

4star

K

9.8

4star

HB

6.6

4star

M

5.2

5star

T

6.6

5star

CL

1.2

4star

, Jacob Weitering

23

Jacob Weitering

Age

26

Ht

195cm

Wt

102kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.8

4star

K

9.1

4star

HB

4.7

3star

M

5.6

5star

T

1.3

3star

MG

189.4

3star

No current season stats available

D

16.8

4star

K

10.8

4star

HB

6.0

4star

M

6.0

5star

T

0.8

3star

MG

263.4

4star

, Luke Ryan
HB: Lachie Whitfield

6

Lachie Whitfield

Age

30

Ht

185cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

22.7

5star

K

13.4

5star

HB

9.3

5star

M

6.3

5star

T

2.7

4star

MG

411.8

5star

D

21.4

5star

K

12.5

5star

HB

8.9

4star

M

5.6

5star

T

1.8

3star

MG

350.6

5star

D

17.6

5star

K

8.2

4star

HB

9.4

5star

M

4.6

5star

T

2.4

4star

, Harris Andrews

31

Harris Andrews

Age

27

Ht

202cm

Wt

98kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.8

3star

K

7.4

3star

HB

5.4

4star

M

5.6

5star

T

1.6

4star

MG

151.7

2star

D

17.0

4star

K

9.0

4star

HB

8.0

4star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.0

3star

D

9.8

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

4.8

4star

M

3.4

4star

T

1.6

4star

MG

94.0

2star

, Harry Sheezel
C: Errol Gulden, Patrick Cripps

9

Patrick Cripps

Age

29

Ht

195cm

Wt

93kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

25.9

5star

K

9.8

4star

HB

16.1

5star

M

3.4

3star

T

5.8

5star

CL

7.4

5star

D

21.0

5star

K

10.1

4star

HB

10.9

5star

M

2.5

3star

T

3.8

4star

CL

6.3

5star

D

12.6

4star

K

4.8

2star

HB

7.8

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

3.2

5star

CL

1.4

4star

, Zach Merrett
HF: Isaac Heeney

5

Isaac Heeney

Age

28

Ht

185cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

18.2

5star

K

10.4

4star

HB

7.7

5star

M

4.9

5star

T

4.1

5star

CL

2.2

4star

D

14.3

3star

K

8.8

4star

HB

5.5

3star

M

4.8

4star

T

2.5

3star

CL

0.8

3star

D

10.4

3star

K

7.2

3star

HB

3.2

3star

M

2.8

3star

T

2.4

4star

CL

0.8

3star

, Charlie Curnow

30

Charlie Curnow

Age

27

Ht

194cm

Wt

94kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.3

3star

K

9.7

4star

HB

3.6

3star

M

5.3

5star

T

2.2

4star

G

1.3

5star

No current season stats available

D

10.8

3star

K

6.4

3star

HB

4.4

4star

M

3.2

4star

T

1.6

4star

G

0.8

4star

, Marcus Bontempelli

4

Marcus Bontempelli

Age

28

Ht

194cm

Wt

96kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

22.5

5star

K

12.3

5star

HB

10.3

5star

M

3.6

4star

T

4.8

5star

CL

4.4

5star

D

18.4

4star

K

9.7

4star

HB

8.8

4star

M

2.6

3star

T

4.1

5star

CL

4.0

5star

D

12.0

3star

K

5.8

3star

HB

6.2

4star

M

2.0

3star

T

3.8

5star

CL

1.8

4star

FF: Dylan Moore

13

Dylan Moore

Age

25

Ht

177cm

Wt

77kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.9

3star

K

5.1

2star

HB

6.7

4star

M

4.4

4star

T

2.9

4star

G

0.3

3star

No current season stats available

D

12.2

3star

K

6.0

3star

HB

6.2

4star

M

5.4

5star

T

2.8

5star

G

0.4

3star

, Jesse Hogan

23

Jesse Hogan

Age

29

Ht

196cm

Wt

100kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.0

4star

K

9.3

4star

HB

5.7

4star

M

6.4

5star

T

1.4

3star

G

1.9

5star

D

10.3

3star

K

6.0

2star

HB

4.3

3star

M

5.3

5star

T

0.0

1star

G

0.0

1star

D

13.0

4star

K

9.0

4star

HB

4.0

3star

M

6.4

5star

T

1.4

4star

G

1.8

5star

, Jeremy Cameron

5

Jeremy Cameron

Age

31

Ht

196cm

Wt

94kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.5

3star

K

9.0

3star

HB

3.4

3star

M

5.4

5star

T

1.6

4star

G

2.6

5star

D

10.0

3star

K

7.1

3star

HB

2.9

2star

M

4.6

4star

T

2.0

3star

G

1.9

5star

D

8.2

2star

K

5.0

2star

HB

3.2

3star

M

4.6

5star

T

2.4

4star

G

2.0

5star

Foll: Tristan Xerri

38

Tristan Xerri

Age

25

Ht

201cm

Wt

99kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

5.5

1star

K

3.0

1star

HB

2.5

2star

CL

1.0

3star

HO

2.5

5star

D

5.5

1star

K

3.0

1star

HB

2.5

2star

CL

1.0

3star

HO

2.5

5star

D

5.5

2star

K

3.0

1star

HB

2.5

3star

CL

1.0

3star

HO

2.5

5star

, Nick Daicos, Lachie Neale

9

Lachie Neale

Age

31

Ht

178cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

27.0

5star

K

11.5

4star

HB

15.5

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

3.7

5star

CL

5.9

5star

D

28.3

5star

K

13.9

5star

HB

14.4

5star

M

4.6

4star

T

4.0

5star

CL

5.9

5star

D

12.0

3star

K

4.6

2star

HB

7.4

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

1.0

3star

CL

0.4

3star

I/C: Adam Treloar

1

Adam Treloar

Age

31

Ht

185cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

28.2

5star

K

12.9

5star

HB

15.3

5star

M

3.6

4star

T

4.9

5star

CL

4.6

5star

D

30.3

5star

K

16.3

5star

HB

14.0

5star

M

2.0

2star

T

3.3

4star

CL

5.8

5star

D

18.0

5star

K

11.2

4star

HB

6.8

5star

M

4.2

4star

T

2.6

4star

CL

1.6

4star

, Caleb Serong

3

Caleb Serong

Age

23

Ht

180cm

Wt

87kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.0

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

6.0

4star

M

1.8

2star

T

3.6

5star

CL

2.6

4star

D

13.0

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

6.0

3star

M

1.8

2star

T

3.6

4star

CL

2.6

4star

D

13.0

4star

K

7.0

3star

HB

6.0

4star

M

1.8

2star

T

3.6

5star

CL

2.6

5star

, Zak Butters

9

Zak Butters

Age

24

Ht

181cm

Wt

77kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.3

4star

K

7.7

3star

HB

6.7

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.6

4star

CL

0.8

3star

D

14.7

4star

K

8.9

4star

HB

5.9

3star

M

3.9

4star

T

2.9

4star

CL

1.1

3star

D

17.0

5star

K

9.0

4star

HB

8.0

5star

M

3.6

4star

T

1.6

4star

CL

0.6

3star

, Jake Waterman

2

Jake Waterman

Age

26

Ht

192cm

Wt

92kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.3

3star

K

7.9

3star

HB

3.4

3star

M

5.2

5star

T

1.2

3star

G

1.0

4star

D

9.8

2star

K

7.8

3star

HB

2.0

1star

M

5.8

5star

T

0.3

1star

G

1.5

5star

D

12.2

3star

K

7.6

3star

HB

4.6

4star

M

4.6

5star

T

1.6

4star

G

0.8

4star

YOUR SAY: The fans' 2024 All-Australian team revealed

More than 47,000 fans voted for their All-Australian team - here's what the results threw up

www.afl.com.au

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

The media conditioning regarding Gawn over Xerri is hilarious.

 

[Friday Night Lights]

The 2024 fan-voted AFL All-Australian team​

FB: Dayne Zorko, Jacob Weitering, Luke Ryan
HB: Lachie Whitfield, Harris Andrews, Harry Sheezel
C: Errol Gulden, Patrick Cripps, Zach Merrett
HF: Isaac Heeney, Charlie Curnow, Marcus Bontempelli
FF: Dylan Moore, Jesse Hogan, Jeremy Cameron
Foll: Tristan Xerri, Nick Daicos, Lachie Neale
I/C: Adam Treloar, Caleb Serong, Zak Butters, Jake Waterman

YOUR SAY: The fans' 2024 All-Australian team revealed

More than 47,000 fans voted for their All-Australian team - here's what the results threw up

www.afl.com.au

I’d take that

 

[DuckYeah]

I’d take that

Deserved. Good lookin AA side to be completely honest.

 

[giantroo]

Honestly regardless of age . Dempsey is in his 3rd year I know George is in his second. So these guys have had a head start in knowing what it takes but 3 years in the system honestly. This award should be just for first year players that’s it .

Two-time premiership skipper calls out ‘uneven and unfair’ Rising Star award

“I'm going to have a bit of a crack at the Rising Star Award…”

www.sen.com.au

Two-time Adelaide premiership captain Mark Bickley isn’t a fan of the rules that surround the AFL’s Rising Star award.

The gong - which recognises the game’s best and fairest young player in any given season - is set to be handed out at Thursday night’s AFL Awards and many experts expect Geelong’s Ollie Dempsey to take out the honours for his campaign.

While Bickley acknowledges that Dempsey is a deserving winner if the award goes his way, he disagrees with the eligibility for the award.

To be eligible for nomination in any given season, the player must be under the age of 21 on January 1 of that year and have played 10 or fewer AFL games at the start of the season. Players are also ruled ineligible if they’re suspended during the season.

Bickley doesn’t believe that it’s fair that Dempsey - who is 21 and in his third season - will likely win ahead of first-year players such as Caleb Windsor, Colby McKercher and Darcy Wilson - as he thinks it doesn’t acknowledge those brilliant enough to impact in their first seasons.

“I'm going to have a bit of a crack at the Rising Star Award which is going to be announced on Thursday night,” Bickley told SEN SA Breakfast.

“I just don't think it's even and fair, because out of all the experts, 90 per cent of them think that Ollie Dempsey from Geelong is going to win the award.

“Now, Ollie Dempsey is about to turn 22. He debuted three seasons ago, so he played two games in his first year and five games in his second - so he stayed under the 10-game criteria and he’s played a full season this year.

“He's competing against Caleb Windsor, Colby McKercher and Darcy Wilson, who are playing their first year, who have done one pre-season … it doesn't reward guys who are brilliant enough to play in their first season.

“It actually rewards blokes who battle their way through for two or three years before they actually hit their straps.

“I'm just not sure it's totally fair.”

Born on January 7 2003, Dempsey was eligible for the award by one week in terms of age, while he had played seven career games before the 2024 campaign.

Bickley also added that he’s okay with second-year players being eligible if they don’t get a good run in their third season, but he’d like to see third-year players be deemed ineligible if he could alter the rules to his liking.

“He's 21 and 234 days old. You’ve got to be under 21 at the start of the season, I get the criteria,” Bickley said.

“But even George Wardlaw, I don't mind it if you can make it a two-year thing. He played eight games last year and 18 this year. I don’t mind that if in your first season, you play under 10 you’re eligible for the award.

“But if you play two in your first and five in your second and then you go into your third season … I'm just not sure that's in the spirit of it.”

Daniel Talia was the most recent third-year player to win the award in 2012. The previous two winners - Harry Sheezel and Nick Daicos - were both first-year players in 2023 and 2022 respectively.

 

[Devington]

TBH it's always seemed a bit odd to me it's not purely players in their debut season.

 

[King Corey]

Two-time premiership skipper calls out ‘uneven and unfair’ Rising Star award

“I'm going to have a bit of a crack at the Rising Star Award…”

www.sen.com.au

Two-time Adelaide premiership captain Mark Bickley isn’t a fan of the rules that surround the AFL’s Rising Star award.

The gong - which recognises the game’s best and fairest young player in any given season - is set to be handed out at Thursday night’s AFL Awards and many experts expect Geelong’s Ollie Dempsey to take out the honours for his campaign.

While Bickley acknowledges that Dempsey is a deserving winner if the award goes his way, he disagrees with the eligibility for the award.

To be eligible for nomination in any given season, the player must be under the age of 21 on January 1 of that year and have played 10 or fewer AFL games at the start of the season. Players are also ruled ineligible if they’re suspended during the season.

Bickley doesn’t believe that it’s fair that Dempsey - who is 21 and in his third season - will likely win ahead of first-year players such as Caleb Windsor, Colby McKercher and Darcy Wilson - as he thinks it doesn’t acknowledge those brilliant enough to impact in their first seasons.

“I'm going to have a bit of a crack at the Rising Star Award which is going to be announced on Thursday night,” Bickley told SEN SA Breakfast.

“I just don't think it's even and fair, because out of all the experts, 90 per cent of them think that Ollie Dempsey from Geelong is going to win the award.

“Now, Ollie Dempsey is about to turn 22. He debuted three seasons ago, so he played two games in his first year and five games in his second - so he stayed under the 10-game criteria and he’s played a full season this year.

“He's competing against Caleb Windsor, Colby McKercher and Darcy Wilson, who are playing their first year, who have done one pre-season … it doesn't reward guys who are brilliant enough to play in their first season.

“It actually rewards blokes who battle their way through for two or three years before they actually hit their straps.

“I'm just not sure it's totally fair.”

Born on January 7 2003, Dempsey was eligible for the award by one week in terms of age, while he had played seven career games before the 2024 campaign.

Bickley also added that he’s okay with second-year players being eligible if they don’t get a good run in their third season, but he’d like to see third-year players be deemed ineligible if he could alter the rules to his liking.

“He's 21 and 234 days old. You’ve got to be under 21 at the start of the season, I get the criteria,” Bickley said.

“But even George Wardlaw, I don't mind it if you can make it a two-year thing. He played eight games last year and 18 this year. I don’t mind that if in your first season, you play under 10 you’re eligible for the award.

“But if you play two in your first and five in your second and then you go into your third season … I'm just not sure that's in the spirit of it.”

Daniel Talia was the most recent third-year player to win the award in 2012. The previous two winners - Harry Sheezel and Nick Daicos - were both first-year players in 2023 and 2022 respectively.

Appreciate the logic but if Josh Goater was in the running to get it this year we would've lapped it up. Thems the breaks.

 

[Lomas]

TBH it's always seemed a bit odd to me it's not purely players in their debut season.

I think it was to give the big men a chance to develop

 

[giantroo]

NORTH MELBOURNE​

If I’m the Kangaroos, there are three clear priorities at the top of my to-do list.

They are locking away young stars Luke Davies-Uniacke

9

Luke Davies-uniacke

Age

25

Ht

188cm

Wt

89kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.1

3star

K

6.5

3star

HB

6.6

4star

M

2.5

3star

T

2.2

4star

CL

2.0

4star

D

7.0

1star

K

3.0

1star

HB

4.0

3star

M

2.0

2star

T

1.0

2star

CL

2.0

4star

D

9.8

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

4.8

4star

M

1.6

2star

T

1.8

4star

CL

1.2

4star

, George Wardlaw and Colby McKercher with contract extensions.

Davies-Uniacke will be a sought-after free agent as he comes out of contract next year.

Wardlaw and McKercher are both signed on until the end of 2026, but are certain to become targets for the new Tasmanian team.

Kangaroos’ fans have already been patient, with their side having won just 15 games in the past five years combined — including only six in the past two years.

But this young group still needs more time to develop and there is a clear void of leadership which will be difficult to address this off-season.





Coach Alastair Clarkson has to continue to drill his defensive structure into this group because the Kangaroos continue to be easy to play against.

This year they ranked 18th for points against from turnover, 17th for points against from stoppage and 18th for defending opposition ball movement.

When they do eventually improve their team defence, I worry that there are still not enough weapons forward.

Is Brayden George going to be the player the player North Melbourne hoped it was getting, after suffering another ACL injury in June?

Too much is left to too few at the moment in attack — namely Nick Larkey

20

Nick Larkey

Age

26

Ht

198cm

Wt

96kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

8.5

2star

K

4.6

2star

HB

3.9

3star

M

3.3

3star

T

1.5

3star

G

1.4

5star

D

7.0

1star

K

4.0

1star

HB

3.0

2star

M

2.0

2star

T

1.0

2star

G

1.0

4star

D

8.8

3star

K

4.2

2star

HB

4.6

4star

M

3.2

4star

T

1.4

4star

G

0.8

4star

(46 goals this year), Paul Curtis (30 goals) and Cam Zurhaar (29 goals).

The Kangaroos are desperate for another key forward to support those three into the future.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/mick-mcguane-on-the-big-moves-every-nonfinalist-must-make-to-improve-in-2025/news-story/fb6fa3c442c77d66119d3987f133779d

 

[ferball]

Deserved. Good lookin AA side to be completely honest.

Dunno about Merrett tho.