Sometimes you have to put your hand up and admit when you get it wrong. At the end of last season I thought time was up for Jarrad Waite at AFL level.
I certainly would not have been alone with this view that after playing ten games in 2017 the 34-year old would struggle to remain on the senior list.
This opinion was enhanced when looking at the turnover of senior players on the Kangaroos list in the last two years.
After being demolished by Adelaide in the 2016 elimination final we saw the well publicised departures of Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Nick Dal Santo and Michael Firrito.
At the end of last year plenty more experience was out the door at Arden street including Andrew Swallow, Lachie Hansen, Lindsay Thomas and Sam Gibson. Over 700 games of experience lost.
So how did Jarrad Waite earn a new deal? Perhaps the forward-line was an area that required a wise head. In the end Waite signed a one-year deal at the end of 2017 along with Scott Thompson.
Jarrad Waite (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)
Both men entered the 2018 season as the only two players at the club over 30 years of age. The decision to retain both has been well and truly vindicated so far.
The statistics tell the tale. Waite has kicked 22 goals from nine games to be in the top ten goalkickers in the competition. The former Blue is playing some of the best football of his career. Averaging 16.1 disposals,5.3 marks and 2.4 goals a game.
With the former Blue contributing so well it is also taking some of the pressure off Ben Brown who has flourished and is currently leading the Coleman Medal. Add in the recent return of Mason Wood and the Roos forward line mix is looking potent.
While there is still a long way to go this year the narrative has certainly changed and now the possibility of Waite earning a contract for next year does not seem all that preposterous
Brad Scott is certainly keeping his cards close to his chest on the likelihood of this coming to fruition “Scotty Thompson and ‘Waitey’ are just playing really good footy. Our focus is on making sure that continues, if that continues then I think things probably take care of themselves”
Time will tell but I certainly appear to have got it wrong and the form of Jarrad Waite and North Melbourne has been one of the feel good stories so far in 2018. The Shinboner spirit indeed alive and well.
James
Guest
I would agree Ben Brown has been a big beneficiary of having Waite there.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Oh yes and from memory North belted everyone in that finals series and big Wayne Carey dominated? Did anyone hear Rob Murphy tell the Carey anecdote on SEN this week? For those who didn't hear, Murph was in a bar in Bali post season and a table of huge rugby blokes were giving him and his lady a hard time. Apparently, Murph went over and defended his lady nicely which prompted the group to threaten to send Rob to his maker. Just when it was getting ugly, he said Carey, who was sitting with a group at the back of the bar (Murph didn't even know he was there) walked up to the group of rugby types and had a quiet word to them, waltzed past Murph and said "don't worry mate you won't have any more trouble from them" and went back to his friends. He was an awesome presence the big man and still one of the most dominant forces on a footy field I have ever seen.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Hey Pete. Don't worry about him. Swannies has never got over 1996.
Rissole
Guest
Feels like Waite wasted half his career.
Rissole
Guest
As a midfielder/small forward Harvey didn't have a defensive bone in his body which was offset by outstanding offensive skills. Unfortunately no room in the modern game for those not willing to defend in that position.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Difference being Waite is a very good KPP while Boomer was just an ageing midfielder/small forward denying young blokes on their list a game.
Blue
Guest
We all laughed when Scott said Waite's best was still in front of him at the start of the year. Gee he's a good coach. Agree that Boomer must feel a little hard done by.
Davo
Guest
Swannies Waite will be managed and be rested for at least another game or two. The Roos didn't need Waite when he was rested when they played you guys swannies and they beat you at the SCG. The Roos have depth in the forward line with a very promising player called Nick Larkey who is one of the leading goal kickers in the VFL.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
A bit harsh Swannies. We are halfway through the year and Waite has helped them get to 5th already, I'd say whatever happens from here the risk has paid off already.
Sam
Guest
Yeah I thought he was done. But I’ve always wondered how someone like Brent Harvey would feel with Waite getting a new deal while he was shown the door while playing good footy.
Swannies
Guest
A big risk by Scott. Injury is just around the corner for Waite. He starts the season strong then fades away. This is one of the reasons North won't finish in the 8.