In his first season as senior coach at North Melbourne, if not for any other reason, you have to admire Brad Scott for his brutal honesty and hard-nosed approach. Scott, as a coach, is fast earning the respect of the football world, and this week he challenged his players to start doing the same. Publicly!
I loved it how he openly admitted his side is yet to gain any credibility this year. He didn’t gloss over the facts or try and sugarcoat the truth; quite simply, he says it how it is.
Until the Kangaroos defeat a contender, they will remain purely a pretender.
His refreshing honesty will go along way to making sure he gets the best out of his players, too. The Kangaroos are young and inexperienced, but with Scott at the helm, I have no doubt they are on the right track.
Tonight they have their chance in North Melbourne’s one and only Friday night game for the year against Carlton. The pioneers are no longer the custodians, but still celebrating the 25th anniversary of the concept.
Fair enough, too.
What started as a mere novelty in 1985 has quickly developed into the feature game of the round, with the biggest TV audience, enormous exposure, and an opportunity to play on the big stage.
The importance of the occasion hasn’t been lost on the Kangaroos either.
All week, the club has been building up the match, and considering the abysmal crowds so far in 2010, you certainly can’t blame them.
A huge focus has been about past players and the contribution they made to Friday night football. Many of them to be introduced on the ground in a pre-game ceremony before attending a special function and then watching the game.
Wayne Carey even said he might go down to the rooms for the first time in years. This is a big deal for the North Melbourne Football Club.
Many former players voiced concern about North Melbourne having so few Friday night matches considering they started it all, but when Brad Scott was asked, he didn’t whinge and moan or kick up a fuss. Instead, he said to win back Friday nights, we need to start winning back some respect, and that begins against Carlton!
It’s this type of approach that will no doubt be filtering down to the players. Ability is one thing in football, but attitude is often the difference between winning and losing.
A lot has changed in 25 years, that’s for sure.
This week the Kangaroos trained indoors due to inclement weather, and tonight they’ll play under a closed roof at Etihad Stadium.
The new breed at Arden Street resembles nothing of the shin-boners of old, but more the skin-boners of youth.
However, now sitting outside the eight on percentage, just maybe, you never know, the Kangaroos might spring out of nowhere and play finals.
Since taking up his post, Brad Scott has literally become the face of North Melbourne. The club’s marketing campaign and banner, which usually only features players, has Scott standing front and centre with his arms crossed, brooding the confidence and presence he intimidated his opponents with on the field.
Nothing has changed as a coach either.
When the integrity of one of his players was attacked, he didn’t shy away or take a backward step. Instead he hit back.
Scott Thompson copped more than his fair share of criticism when he knocked Barry Hall over doing up his shoelace, and deciding enough is enough, Scott took aim at one of the game’s most experienced coaches in Rodney Eade.
That takes courage, and I think the playing group will admire his stance as much as I did.
I must admit, though, I laughed pre-season when Scott predicted the Kangaroos would be able to jump back into the finals this season.
It was a bold statement from a bold man, but let’s face it, he may end up having the last laugh.
Tonight’s match has a massive amount of importance for both sides.
Carlton is pushing towards being a genuine top four chance, while a win for the Kangaroos keep their finals hopes well and truly alive.
Regardless, it’s also a celebration of Friday night football, and I hope the North Melbourne faithful turn out to support what is sadly their one and only showcase night for the year.
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
Gold Coast defender Wil Powell has been banned for five matches after using a homophobic slur during the Suns' loss to Brisbane. Powell was…
Tom Hawkins returns to familiar surroundings of Geelong - but is it the tonic he needs to regain some of his confidence back after a goalless four games.
Jeremy Finlayson should be a welcome addition to the Port Adelaide forward line after kicking four goals in the SANFL last week.
Former great Jimmy Bartel is 'incredibly uncomfortable' at the prospect of Tarryn Thomas being given a second chance at an AFL career, as the…
Last, year in the second showdown, Adelaide destroyed Port by 47 points with a staggering 20 marks inside 50 with Tex Walker the main star.
There’s no disputing that Cam Guthrie will be important against Melbourne, given Patrick Dangerfield is set to miss due to injury.
