Analysis Rick's Analysis (The Shinboner)

[Rick18]

A couple of people suggested that others might not have been able to see the previous Shinboner thread, given it was started by a person who half the board probably had on their ignore list by the end.

Absolutely no idea if that's the case, but we're here now with a new thread anyway.

Starting off with the Match Sim post from Saturday at Arden St. This one more of a scene setter with a few things to catch my eye:

Away we go again: Match Sim, 2025 v Melbourne

It’s match sim, it’s a chance to overreact to everything, it’s February.

theshinboner.com

The plan between now and the start of the season is to obviously have another post for the West Coast game next week, and one more between that game and Round 1 v the Bulldogs.

From there we'll ideally flow into the normal swing of things.

 

[DuckYeah]

A couple of people suggested that others might not have been able to see the previous Shinboner thread, given it was started by a person who half the board probably had on their ignore list by the end.

Absolutely no idea if that's the case, but we're here now with a new thread anyway.

Starting off with the Match Sim post from Saturday at Arden St. This one more of a scene setter with a few things to catch my eye:

Away we go again: Match Sim, 2025 v Melbourne

It’s match sim, it’s a chance to overreact to everything, it’s February.

theshinboner.com

The plan between now and the start of the season is to obviously have another post for the West Coast game next week, and one more between that game and Round 1 v the Bulldogs.

From there we'll ideally flow into the normal swing of things.

The back line mix with comben, logue and Corr, complimented with McDonald will be an unmitigated disaster. That can’t be the way we start round 1.

 

[sutcliffe's hotel]

Love what you offer Rick: sober analysis, thoughtful optimism, dry wit & a deep understanding of the learning process.

Thanks.

 

[The Brady Bunch]

Two alarm. Two and a half tops. Ned Flanders' chilli.

 

[king of the road]

I couldn’t see the thread.

Thanks for posting again.

One can only guess as to who may have posted the thread previously so that so many BF brethren were to miss it.

 

[Whippet1]

Love Rick’s analyses. Although that breakdown of the final 2 minutes of that West Coast game last year might have been too good as I’m still replaying it in my head.
If anything looked like a 5 alarm fire to me it was the backline. Admittedly with an “experimental” setup but its leakiness made me wonder if we can afford the luxury of NOT playing someone like Sheezel or McKercher(or even Powell) down back to polish our defensive lines. It would be the ultimate in hubris to think that if we get the forward/midfield setup right then the backline will just naturally fall into place and opposition teams won’t just keep playing through our weakest defender.

 

[Pres]

Terrific analysis. Particularly re McKercher in his new half forward role. Confirmed what my eyes told me live at the ground Saturday

 

[Loose_Cannon]

Keep the Simpsons references coming

 

[Whippet1]

Terrific analysis. Particularly re McKercher in his new half forward role. Confirmed what my eyes told me live at the ground Saturday

Don’t be afraid to bang on the coach’s box and offer some unsolicited feedback Pres. Could not hurt…

 

[Pres]

Don’t be afraid to bang on the coach’s box and offer some unsolicited feedback Pres. Could not hurt…

I don't have your pace Whippet1 to bolt off at speed should Patch & co not take kindly to my intrusion!

 

[DuckYeah]

Don’t be afraid to bang on the coach’s box and offer some unsolicited feedback Pres. Could not hurt…

That approach would be frowned upon. Cuddles, rainbows and being kind is the only way our club knows how to do anything

 

[The Brady Bunch]

That approach would be frowned upon. Cuddles, rainbows and being kind is the only way our club knows how to do anything

As if any of the armchair critics around here would ever say boo to Clarko.

 

[Rick18]

The West Coast post is live:

Wind tunnels and unconverted chances: Pre-Season, 2025 v West Coast

There was plenty in North Melbourne’s final pre-season game to suit whichever narrative you’d like to pursue.

theshinboner.com

Some of the topics include generating shots v converting shots, switching game modes, glimpses of O'Sullivan, getting used to new surroundings, and posting Sheezel's lofted through ball for posterity.

 

[Wayne Campbell]

Watching that Sheezel kick at the ground... cue Randy Marsh gif

 

[Passmore]

Rick18 any further thoughts on McKercher's role yesterday as a follow-up to last week?

Sent from my SM-A908B using Tapatalk

 

[Heaps of fun]

The West Coast post is live:

Wind tunnels and unconverted chances: Pre-Season, 2025 v West Coast

There was plenty in North Melbourne’s final pre-season game to suit whichever narrative you’d like to pursue.

theshinboner.com

Some of the topics include generating shots v converting shots, switching game modes, glimpses of O'Sullivan, getting used to new surroundings, and posting Sheezel's lofted through ball for posterity.

"wind tunnels", Rick, you cad.

 

[Rick18]

Rick18 any further thoughts on McKercher's role yesterday as a follow-up to last week?

Sent from my SM-A908B using Tapatalk

To be honest I struggled to tell because of the conditions changing things slightly, and then watching on TV instead of being at the ground as well. One day I'll have access to full ground vision when games are interstate...

 

[Rick18]

We have a season checklist post, now live: https://theshinboner.com/2025/03/12...tyle-turnovers-player-contracts-key-position/

There's five topics listed I think are crucial to a successful campaign. All explained in detail, of course; three are more of a focus on the now, then two have more of an eye on the future.

Then there's a cheery postscript to wrap it all up because I kind of stuffed up the formatting and didn't want to end on a downer.

 

[shintemaster]

We have a season checklist post, now live: https://theshinboner.com/2025/03/12...tyle-turnovers-player-contracts-key-position/

There's five topics listed I think are crucial to a successful campaign. All explained in detail, of course; three are more of a focus on the now, then two have more of an eye on the future.

Then there's a cheery postscript to wrap it all up because I kind of stuffed up the formatting and didn't want to end on a downer.

Will read later but I'm assuming finals or bust.

 

[Rick18]

The Bulldogs game post is up:

Inside v outside: Round 1, 2025 v Western Bulldogs

After several hours in a sweatbox, it was a sense of what could have been for North Melbourne.

theshinboner.com

It's largely about the balance and battle between inside and outside, and how it all played out.

Not to toot my own horn* but this one of my better ones.

(*This is a lie)

 

[Sillygit]

The Bulldogs game post is up:

Inside v outside: Round 1, 2025 v Western Bulldogs

After several hours in a sweatbox, it was a sense of what could have been for North Melbourne.

theshinboner.com

It's largely about the balance and battle between inside and outside, and how it all played out.

Not to toot my own horn* but this one of my better ones.

(*This is a lie)

Other than to marvel at the melts, just about the only good reason to be here after a loss is your analysis.

"A significant in-game adjustment helping to course correct; not something there’s been too much of in recent times. When things have started rolling away, it’s tended to get out of hand quickly"

Could not help but peek at the game at the G that was on at the same time and think "that's what im more used to happening".

For some supporters that's apparently meaningless, there is no Dana only Zuul (winning). But it feels different to me.

 

[Frank Thring]

The Bulldogs game post is up:

Inside v outside: Round 1, 2025 v Western Bulldogs

After several hours in a sweatbox, it was a sense of what could have been for North Melbourne.

theshinboner.com

It's largely about the balance and battle between inside and outside, and how it all played out.

Not to toot my own horn* but this one of my better ones.

(*This is a lie)

Very insightful Rick. In the middle quarters we did look solid.

 

[Rick18]

Nice to write about a win, the Melbourne post has plenty of video:

Bursts & Balance: Round 2, 2025 v Melbourne

North Melbourne kicked six goals in the first 6:16 of final quarter game time on Sunday.

theshinboner.com

The two main focuses of the post: stoppage positioning, and the benefits of a more balanced forward line.

Then there's the odds and ends section on Powell v Petracca, Comben's third quarter, and a couple of extra bits and pieces.

 

[Harvey Manfrenjensenden]

"Much like the Bulldogs loss didn’t warrant toys thrown out of the cot, this week doesn’t mean everything is now onwards and upwards."

Perfect!

You have changed the way I watch football. I genuinely love your content.

 

[muttley45]

Rick, RE. pressure pt's, i see that for us, WilPhil was listed as 2nd with 46 in 56% ToG, behind only LDU with 56 in 87% ToG, what is your take on this ?