Growing up is hard, but growing up in public is just scary, and the North Melbourne Kangaroos’ development has been very public and a tad acne scarred.
Some days, big white heads and no confidence, other days, crystal clear skin and never looking like being beaten.
Brad Scott has been at the helm since 2010.
He took over a wide-eyed, pimple-faced bunch of kids with a few senior players and the intent was to get back to the powerhouse it once was.
2011 – The growth was obvious but the acne still raw after finishing ninth on the ladder.
2012 – The acne cleared a little and the voice stopped breaking as much, but the West Coast Eagles stunted their growth with a 96-point belting in week one of the finals.
2013 – This year was an outbreak! The acne didn’t clear and the cracks appeared in the throat as the voice box choked in close game scenarios.
The Kangaroos lost ten games by 18 points or less, finishing an unflattering 10th with the sixth best percentage in the league!
When will the scars clear and the Kangaroos finally grow to exceed the potential they have clearly battled?
Expectation sucks, but it seems on paper the list is ready.
The forward half looks potent.
Aaron Black looks free from the shackles of injury and the ever reliable Drew Petrie will hope to spend more time forward with the addition of injury-plagued ruck man/forward Daniel Currie.
Goal sneak Lindsay Thomas will build upon his stellar 2013.
But Robbie Tarrant must play consistent footy to retain his place and give the Kangaroos a big third target.
This forward line has firepower; they were equal second in goals kicked and sixth in marks inside the 50 last season.
They will concern opposition teams throughout the year and if they get enough service from the midfield they will craft goals.
In defence All-Australian Scott Thompson and Lachie Hansen are developing a rare kind of chemistry.
Both can cover key forwards and repel when needed.
Michael Firrito and Sam Gibson are dour defenders, but the key for the Kangaroos is their ability to build from the back line.
The Roos can slice you up from halfback with a host of quarterbacks.
Shaun Atley and Aaron Mullett are skilful from the back half.
St Kilda recruit Nick Dal Santo may be used at the back to provide another weapon and Scott McKenzie has one of the best kicks you’ve not yet seen.
The midfield also looks good.
Skipper Andrew Swallow, Jack Ziebell, Brent Harvey, Daniel Wells, Ben Cunnington and Ryan Bastinac have all now played enough games together to form unity.
With impressive ruck man Todd Goldstein supplying them, this midfield could do some real damage.
Yet the Kangaroos were ranked 10th in contested possessions and 15th in tackles for last year; they will need to toughen up the defensive side of their midfield.
Boom recruit Nick Dal Santo will help the ageless Brent Harvey, who still averaged the most disposals for the club last season.
With Dal Santo, opposition coaches will have to roll the dice on which player to heavily tag, potentially leaving “Boomer” as a third string follower if you consider Wells to be more damaging.
The Kangaroos don’t waste the ball.
They were ranked number one in effective disposals – even better than the premiers.
It’s whether they can compete inside week after week with the top four midfields that will be decisive.
They have a good draw too, only playing one of last year’s top six sides, Geelong, twice.
They like playing at Etihad Stadium; it’s fast and conducive to the Kangaroos game plan.
If you turn last year’s results around, North Melbourne is a very different prospect.
In years gone by I have picked North Melbourne to finish in the top four, but I can’t go that high.
However here’s to the Kangaroos revealing clear skin for 2014 and not letting the growing pains from years gone by hold them back.
Lad-view: Seventh
Syd Barker medal/Best and fairest: Ryan Bastinac
Goal kicking award: Aaron Black
In the hot seat in 2014: Brad Scott, Robbie Tarrant
Player you need to watch: Shaun Atley
Thing most looking forward to seeing in 2014: Nick Dal Santo against St Kilda
Novelty blog award: Proving that I’ve gone through puberty by putting them in the finals
Eliot Bingham
Roar Pro
I see you read my article Clayton.
Andrew
Guest
The supporters side is only half of a home field advantage. The fact is that the Kanga's play very very well at Etihad stadium, the problem is away. for example last year I think they won only 2 game away from etihad (the 2nd in the final round against a collingwood side playing bruise free footy in preparation for finals). For me this is linked to their game style, and in particular the two stats mentioned in the article (contested possessions and tackles). At etihad you are guaranteed a fast, dry track (last years exception aside!) where the roos can play their quick, open attacking style, and consequenthly they enjoy playing there. At other grounds the style of play required is somewhat different. Recent succdesful teams have generally been good at one of two things, exceptional defensive pressure (think Sydney 2012, Fremantle 2013, Collingwood 2010 - 11, St Kilda 9- 10) or the ability to withstand and play through that phenomenal pressure (think Hawthorn, Geelong) (you could also go back a little further to include Sydney 05, Hawthorn 08, West coast 06 and Geelong 07 to the above lists) The roos low total contested posessions (the stats show they are capable of winning their share) indicate that they like an open game, against the better teams, and those with good pressure, this doesnt happen and they struggle to an extent. An example of this last season would be Sydney and Freo, who comfortably won against North. As opposed to other low tackling sides like Richmond and St KIlda, whom they thrashed. Until they improve their tackling pressure and dealing with highly contested games, they won't improve significantly. That said, they may scrape into the 8 this year (depending on the draw/ the other contenders form etc) but given that finals (as a general rule) feature heavy pressure and tight games, they certainly won't go far. (on this, does anyone know of a 2014 ladder predictor yet, looking for an easy way to research/ test some season over/ under bets!) Unfortunately for North fans, I haven't seen any evidence of improvement in these areas thus far this pre- season.
Swampy
Guest
Sort of. The supporters the Kangas have are far from 'piss weak' - there just isn't the numbers there for them to have the same influence as say the Bombers. The Bombers, at an Etihad home game, might seat 80% or more of the crowd. This forum is called 'the roar' after all. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
PaulD
Guest
So basically you're saying that one of the reasons the Kangas might miss out on the 8 is that they'll be dudded by the refs because their supporters are piss weak and don't show up to games in large numbers to influence decisions? Forgive me for raising an eyebrow at that one.
Swampy
Guest
The Kangas are in a bunch of 9-10 teams that will fight it out for spots 5-8. Anything could happen. They would need to win more close ones than lose and also have a good run with injuries. Basically the same formula for the other 9 teams fighting with them. Where I feel the Kangas will suffer (& do every year) is the lack of a home team advantage. The crowd numbers are rarely in their favour even during home games (wherever 'home' may be). There is nothing like having 70k pie fans roaring you home at the G or likewise 40k Eagles or Crows or Dockers fans doing the same at their respective home venues. Pretty sure the umps feel it too. The Kangas just don't have this same advantage - they basically play 20 away matches every season (giants and suns excluded). -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
PaulD
Guest
I think there's a lack of desire and mongrel in this team. They're great when they have the ball, but they're not great when they don't have it. It's all well and good for the team to have the approach of "we'll just score more points than the opposition" but I think their lack of application in defence is going to let them down in some crucial games this year. The signing of Dal Santo is revealing in itself - he's a fantastic player, but one who never gets in and gets his own ball, he goes missing at the stoppages. He should fit well into the Kangas side.
Radelaide
Guest
They certainly are an enigma team in that I feel they are better than their ladder position looks although some say the handball style of play they use (like Geelong) breaks down when the pressure is applied which would suggest why they get overrun at the death by a team that plays direct kicking football.
Ash of Geelong
Guest
Roos will be up there but in all honesty shoulf have flogged the cats last Friday.
duncan
Guest
Good article Clayton. I think they won't finish higher then tenth as they don't seem to like playing hard ugly footy. The match against the Gold Coast at Carrara last year was one of the worst in terms of attitude I've seen. They remind me of that Port side of the early 2000's very skilfull and showy except Port finished top three years running and won a premiership. Can't see that happening with this side. The fact that Boomer was the leading possession getter isn't a good look for the club. To many lazy players for mine expecting old Boomer to keep winning matches off his own boot