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It seems somewhat belated to be reviewing a game from last Friday night midweek, however the game itself produced some intriguing results.
The first of these results was the simple fact that North won, this was significant for the fact that North managed to protect an early lead and hold out for a win against a good team.
This game is the evidence that North can beat good teams and while their supporters will be happy they will be lamenting what could have been in season 2013.
I personally still believe the Kangaroos have gaps to address that are perhaps not obvious or at least commented on by many observers.
Nevertheless they had a win and to that end I will look at their best three and Geelong’s worst three.
North Melbourne – Best
Daniel Wells
As far as adding value in a real sense is concerned, efficiency is paramount. Nowadays racking up 20 or more possessions is a given if you play anywhere near the middle of the ground.
To this end while many observers might take issue with not declaring Brent Harvey BOG, I personally this Wells added more value.
In real terms Wells added 3.86 goals which is slightly under his nominal output of four goals.
This result underlines both how good he was and his limitations. His 18 touches came at 72 percent efficiency, he had five clearances, an assist and a few inside 50s.
Ultimately his performance was a purely offensive one as he added only one tackle and one spoil.
He did however have more contested possessions than uncontested which is important in terms of balancing his style of play.
Leigh Adams
Added 3.09 goals of real value and for mine deserved two votes.
Leigh Adams is one of those players that has been queried in the sense that he appears to have talent but like a few young North midfielders has yet to really assert himself consistently.
His 25 touches came at an efficiency rate of 84 percent which is exceptional. Most of his possessions were uncontested but his game was very well rounded adding an assist, two goals, four tackles a couple of spoils, four clearances and four inside 50s.
I don’t see a whole of North play but it would be tough to go past this as one of his best games.
Drew Petrie
It strikes me that Drew Petrie doesn’t really receive the accolades he deserves. Perhaps I’m wrong on that but as far as I can see he’s as good as players come at centre half forward/part time ruck.
He only had 13 touches but more than half were contested and 11 of the 13 found a teammate.
Again he kicked only one goal but laid five tackles, had four clearances and sent the ball inside 50 as well as rebounding it off half back.
Mobile big men who contribute across a broad range of statistical categories like Petrie does are in my opinion, the most valuable type of player for any team.
Implications
The improvement of Leigh Adams was important but North still rely a lot on experienced players like Wells, Petrie, Harvey and at the other end Scott Thompson.
The win was impressive but if North are going to turn 2014 into what 2013 could have been they can’t re-generate this list ad-hoc.
The senior group here may not have had the success/accolades that some of their peers have but they are still the most important players on this team.
North still needs the likes of Jack Ziebell, Ryan Bastinac, Ben Cunnington, Sam Gibson and so forth to improve over the off season if they are going to be a finals contender.
Geelong – Worst
Tom Lonergan
For some time now Tom Lonergan has been the number one stopping type defender for Geelong, playing deep in defence while Harry Taylor plays with more freedom and mobility further up the ground.
Lonergan has played this role well notably having Lance Franklin’s measure in their last few match-ups.
The role of genuine full back can be a curse though, by definition the role is a limited one, restricting the full back to playing purely defensively and ignoring their own offensive or possession output completely.
When a player is confined to a specialist role like this they must play it efficiently or they will struggle to contribute at all.
Lonergan has managed to usually play this role perfectly, shutting out his opponent, spoiling and smothering a lot, occasionally taking contested marks and using the few possessions he gets effectively.
He was a non-contributor on Friday however and cost his team 1.24 goals in real terms.
He spoiled his opponent only once and used the few touches he had at 50 percent.
Trent West
In a game played pretty much at breakneck pace a big statue like Trent West was never supposed to prosper.
He was still reasonable in terms of hit outs although beaten by Todd Goldstein. In my opinion the pure tap ruckman is fading out of the game.
Stoppages are crucial and good tap-work will always be vital but with so many players around the stoppage the percentage of hitouts that result in a neutral outcome is increasing.
This means that ruckmen have to add strings to their bow and the best ones can go forward, move around the ground and/or tackle and clear the ball efficiently by foot and hand.
When West is average he looks really out of step and by my calculations cost Geelong -1.04 goals in real terms.
Tom Hawkins
Hawkins looked injured so in fairness it might be harsh to criticise. I reckon he was worth -0.57 and cost his team by virtue of his one dimensional play and complete inability to follow up at ground level.
Many might argue this is standard Hawkins – if he catches them he’s good, if not he’s out of the game.
I think he is usually a more well rounded player than some may give him credit for but not on Friday night.
Implications
The Cats are still in a pretty good spot given that their losses this year have all only been by less than two goals.
The players I have identified here are big key post types. Many will argue that Geelong’s strength has always been their midfield anyway and certainly this is true.
However as this midfield mostly ages and the young players strive for consistency the team may not be in a position to carry non-contributors.
If Lonergan can be shut out as he was on Friday and Hawkins has a shocker then Harry Taylor has to play at both ends simultaneously.
Getting Podsiadly back makes a difference and I’d be surprised if they played Vardy, Blicavs and West in the same team again (I’d drop West).
Cats are looking ok but need balance and support in the key posts at fullback, full-forward and ruck.
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