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The decade that was: North Melbourne

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Roar Guru
7th May, 2020
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After a poor 2009 resulted in the end of Dean Laidley’s coaching tenure, North Melbourne entered the 2010 decade with a new coach in Brad Scott.

The former Collingwood development coach had mixed success in his first two seasons, finishing ninth in both 2010 and 2011. A poor start to 2012 had the Roos under pressure, but they would make the finals for the first time in four years after winning ten of their remaining 12 matches. They were no match for West Coast in an elimination final, thrashed by 16 goals. A frustrating campaign in 2013 saw them again narrowly miss out on the finals.

With the acquisition of free agent Nick Dal Santo in 2014, the Roos had a successful year, finishing sixth. In an elimination final against Essendon at the MCG, North Melbourne came from 33 points down in the second half to record a memorable victory. A week later, they held on against a fast-finishing Geelong to set up a preliminary final against Sydney, who easily brushed them aside by 71 points.

North again went to the free-agency well ahead of 2015, picking up Western Bulldogs midfielder Shaun Higgins and Carlton forward Jarrad Waite. Another solid season saw them qualify for the finals, setting up a monster do-or-die final against Richmond. A professional performance resulted in a 17-point victory, setting up another away final against the Swans a week later. North exacted revenge, sending Sydney out in straight sets. Through to the preliminary final weekend for a second consecutive year, North played well against West Coast in Perth, but were eventually overrun.

North Melbourne coach Brad Scott

(AAP Image/David Crosling)

The Kangaroos had an unbelievable start to 2016, winning their opening nine games to become a genuine premiership fancy But they fell away horribly in the second half of the season, winning just three of 13 games.

They still managed play finals for the third year in a row, but were easily defeated by Adelaide. Looking to reset their playing list, veterans Brent Harvey, Michael Firrito, Drew Petrie and Dal Santo were all advised that they wouldn’t be offered contracts for 2017.

Fielding a considerably younger outfit, North struggled the year after, winning just six games and finishing 15th. In a surprise to many, Scott was handed a three-year extension to oversee the rebuild of the playing list.

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North shocked many in 2018 with a highly competitive season, missing out on finals by just one game and percentage. An incredibly poor start to 2019 had Scott under immense pressure, leading to his controversial departure following Round 10.

Assistant coach Rhyce Shaw took the reins as caretaker, winning seven of 12 matches and impressing with his style of play. It led to his appointment as senior coach for the next three seasons, with CEO Carl Dilena and football general manager Cam Joyce also departing the club in a major overhaul.

Best wins

Elimination final, 2014 – North Melbourne 14.9 (93) beat Essendon 12.9 (81) (MCG)
Looking for their first September victory in seven years, the Roos started horribly, slumping to a 33-point deficit early in the second half. However, a third-quarter onslaught led by first-year forward Ben Brown saw them get back within a single-figure margin at the final break.

After grabbing the lead in the last term, the Roos quickly surrendered it again when Drew Petrie was outmarked by Paddy Ryder inside 50. Following the goal to Ryder, Petrie inspired his team with the final two goals of the game, sealing one of the best wins in Scott’s tenure.

Elimination final, 2015 – North Melbourne 15.15 (105) beat Richmond 14.4 (88) (MCG)
After a slow start that saw them trail by as many as 21 points in the second quarter, North slowly fought their way back into the game, grabbing the lead in the third quarter.

The Roos ran the game out well, kicking four of the final five majors to win. The match was played in front of 90,186 fans – the biggest crowd for a non-grand final game involving North.

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Round 11, 2019 – North Melbourne 15.9 (99) beat Richmond 9.8 (62) (Marvel Stadium)
Following a tumultuous week involving Scott’s departure, the Roos entered their Friday night clash with Richmond desperately needing a win.

After a tight first half, the Kangaroos ran away with the game with a dominant six-goal-to-one third term. The 37-point win was highlighted by a fierce attack on the ball and the man, laying the foundation for Shaw’s style of play that would see him awarded the role permanently.

New North Melbourne coach Rhyce Shaw.

(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Worst losses

Round 10, 2012 – Hawthorn 27.12 (174) beat North Melbourne 9.5 (59) (Launceston)
With only one win separating them, the Roos appeared the better of the two sides early, leading by 12 points late in the first quarter. However, they would kick just five more goals, as a Lance Franklin-inspired Hawthorn obliterated them. The 115-point loss threatened to derail their season, however, they would lose just two more matches on their way to finals.

Round 9, 2015 – Collingwood 17.10 (112) beat North Melbourne 14.11 (95) (MCG)
In a rare home-and-away match at the MCG, a dominant North skipped out to a 39-point halftime lead. With rain beginning to fall in the second half, Collingwood quickly gained the upper hand, kicking nine goals to none in the third term.

The Roos responded with four consecutive goals in the final term but the Magpies had the final answer, winning by 17 points in a bitterly disappointing result.

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Round 1, 2019 – Fremantle 21.15 (141) beat North Melbourne 9.5 (59) (Optus Stadium)
With four new recruits after a busy off-season, North Melbourne entered 2019 with genuine optimism. A first-up trip to Perth to take on Fremantle was expected to be a challenge, but nothing the team couldn’t handle. The Dockers annihilated a flat North outfit, cruising to an easy 82-point win. It would be the Kangaroos’ ninth opening-round loss in ten years.

Jack Ziebell

(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Moments that shaped the club

Tasmanian experiment
After three separate ventures that saw the club play home games in Sydney, Canberra and the Gold Coast between 1999 and 2008, the Roos signed a deal with the Tasmanian government to play two home games per year in Hobart starting in 2012. That number increased to three between 2015 and 2018, with a fourth game added for the 2019 season and beyond.

North’s record at Blundstone Arena has been extremely formidable, winning 16 of 22 matches. It remains to be seen what the future holds for the club in Tasmania, with talk of potentially increasing their home matches in Hobart to seven per year.

On top of that, the club’s AFLW team is named the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos, while the club has an academy in Tasmania that saw them gain access to Tarryn Thomas in the 2018 draft.

Sacrificing more home matches to Tasmania would be a bitter blow for supporters, who fought for the club’s future when relocation to Queensland seemed likely in 2007.

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Departure of club veterans
At the end of an incredibly disappointing 2016, a bold decision was made to exit four of the club’s most decorated stalwarts. Brent Harvey, who that year broke the VFL/AFL record for most senior games, was not offered a contract for 2017 after 432 games and 518 goals. Popular forward Drew Petrie was also axed after 428 goals from 316 matches, as were defender Michael Firrito (275 matches) and Nick Dal Santo (322 games, 62 with the Roos).

The decision was met with mixed reviews, with some criticising the club for treating a quartet of veterans poorly and not letting them retire of their own accord, while some praised the call to reset an ageing and under-performing list.

Drew Petrie Brent Boomer Harvey North Melbourne Kangaroos AFL Finals 2016

(AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy)

Brad Scott’s tenure ends
Despite having over a year remaining on his contract, Scott started to feel the heat after a poor start to 2019 – including embarrassing losses to Fremantle in Round 1 and Essendon on Good Friday.

With murmurs of a departure imminent, the man himself offered his resignation in the lead-up to Round 10’s clash with the Bulldogs. Scott would sit in the hot seat for the 211th and final time as his charges claimed a 25-point win on an emotion-charged afternoon. The victory gave him a 106-105 win-loss record.

The change allowed Shaw to step in as caretaker and, after introducing a brutal style of play that resonated with both players and supporters, he was awarded the senior role.

The changes didn’t stop there, with Dilena leaving his post as CEO, while GM Joyce and list manager Michael McMahon also departed. Ben Amarfio replaced Dilena in November, West Coast list manager Brady Rawlings headed back to the club he won three best and fairests with to become the new general manager of football, with Glenn Luff taking over from McMahon as list manager.

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The Roos also signed a number of new assistant coaches, completing the off-field makeover.

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Best 22 of the decade

Back pocket – Michael Firrito
The much-loved defender achieved sixth-placed in the Syd Barker Medal in both 2010 and 2012. The veteran appeared on the brink of retirement in 2013, but a career renaissance saw ‘Spud’ play some of his best football. At the end of 2016, he was forced into retirement after 148 games in the decade.

Fullback – Scott Thompson
The fierce fullback was a constant the decade, gaining selection in the All Australian side in 2013 as well as winning the Syd Barker Medal. It was one of seven top-ten placings in the best and fairest for Thompson, including a runner-up finish in 2012. After playing 213 games in the decade, he decided to hang up the boots at the end of 2019.

Back pocket – Sam Wright
It was a decade of change for Wright, who started as a skinny, talented half-forward and finished as a tough, respected defender. Wright finished in the top ten of the best and fairest in both 2012 and 2015, while he will forever be known as the player who changed the course of the 2014 elimination final thanks to an intercept mark.

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Foot and ankle injuries restricted his movement late in his career, with Wright retiring in 2019 after 132 games and 56 goals from the decade.

Halfback – Shaun Atley
Taken in the first round of the 2010 draft, a move to defence sparked a career-best year for Atley in 2012, resulting in a top-five finish in the Syd Barker Medal. He would achieve top-ten placings in 2014, 2017 and 2019 and, while he hasn’t reached any great heights, he has been highly reliable over the decade with 197 games and 43 goals.

Centre halfback – Robbie Tarrant
Things looked grim for Tarrant after shoulder and leg injuries restricted the talented forward to just 39 games in his first seven seasons. However, a shift to the backline and a stroke of luck with his body reinvigorated his career, developing into one of the league’s best key defenders.

The vice-captain won the best and fairest in 2016, finishing fourth, third and second in the ensuing years.

Robbie Tarrant

(Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Halfback – Jamie Macmillan
Following his debut in 2010, Macmillan quickly became one of North’s first-choice defenders. Able to provide offensive rebound as well as being a defensive stopper, Macmillan has finished in the top ten of the best and fairest twice in his 157 games.

Wing – Sam Gibson
A mature-age recruit picked up as a rookie in 2011, Gibson fast became a regular in the midfield. He had four top ten placings in the Syd Barker Medal, claiming a podium finish in 2016. In another tough list management decision, North did not offer Gibson a contract at the end of 2017, with the hard-running midfielder leaving after 130 consecutive games from the time of his debut.

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Centre – Andrew Swallow
Just one vote in the 2010 Syd Barker Medal count stopped Swallow from winning four consecutive best and fairest awards, with the hard-at-it midfielder adding to his 2009 win with triumphs in 2011 and 2012. Swallow replaced Brent Harvey as captain in 2012, but an Achilles tendon tear in 2013 would limit his speed and range of movement for the remainder of his career.

After declining performances, Swallow retired in 2017 following a decorated career that included 162 games and 51 goals in the 2010 decade.

Wing – Daniel Wells
The extremely talented Wells played some of his best football last decade, winning two best and fairests in 2011 and 2013 along with three other top-ten finishes. Wells departed as a free agent for Collingwood at the end of 2016 after 113 games and 80 goals in the decade.

Half forward – Brent Harvey
The champion entered the decade at 31 years old but still at the top of his game, winning the 2010 Syd Barker Medal. Harvey relinquished the captaincy after three seasons at the end of 2011, but ‘Boomer’ was still an on-field presence.

Harvey reached the magical 400-game milestone in 2015 before going past Michael Tuck’s VFL/AFL record of matches played in 2016. Harvey was controversially forced into retirement after an incredible 21 seasons. He played 153 games and kicked 199 goals last decade.

Brent Harvey North Melbourne Kangaroos 2015 AFL

(AAP Image/Julian Smith)

Centre half forward – Drew Petrie
There were fears for Petrie’s career in 2010 after the versatile big man managed just two games due to three separate foot fractures, however, the popular Roo bounced back strongly in 2011 with 48 goals, earning selection in the All Australian team.

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He would lead the club goal-kicking that year, as well as in 2012 (with a career-best 58 majors), 2014 and 2015. He was one of the heroes of the 2014 elimination final, kicking two late goals to set up the win.

In 2016, Petrie became just the fifth player in club history to reach the 300-game milestone. At the end of that season, Petrie was not offered a new contract, leaving after 140 matches and 273 goals from the decade.

Half forward – Jack Ziebell
After his debut season was wiped out due to a broken leg, Ziebell suffered the exact same fate in 2010.

A slow start to 2011 had many questioning whether he was fit enough to compete at the top level, but a brilliant end to the season saw him finish sixth in the Syd Barker Medal. It would be the first of seven top-ten placings in the best and fairest, who took over the captaincy from Swallow at the end of 2016.

A move to the forward line in 2018 resulted in a career-best 35 goals, before shifting back into the midfield in 2019 for what was arguably a career-best campaign. The inspirational skipper played 200 games in the decade for 160 goals, and remains one of the most important players going into this decade.

Forward pocket – Lindsay Thomas
The skillful forward took out North’ss goal-kicking award at the start of the decade, but a horror 2011 season plagued by inaccuracy threatened to derail his career.

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However, he responded to become one of the most reliable kicks for goal, booting a career-high 53 majors in a sublime 2013 season to win another leading goal-kicker gong. Criticised at times for his penchant for playing for free kicks, Thomas was one of the league’s most lethal small forwards over the decade, kicking 262 goals from 151 games.

Full forward – Ben Brown
After missing out in numerous drafts, North took a punt on the Tasmanian-born Brown at the end of 2013, with the 21-year-old forward quickly becoming a fan favourite due to his long hair and unique goal-kicking style.

Brown was a key member of the 2014 finals campaign, kicking four second-half goals in the win over Essendon. In 2015, he helped formed a dangerous forward line alongside Petrie and Waite.

He won his first club goal-kicking award in 2016 with 41 goals, before a breakout season in 2017 where he booted 63 majors. It would be the first of three consecutive 60-goal years for Brown, finishing runner-up in the Coleman medal in both 2018 and 2019.

Brown’s 188 goals over the last three seasons are the most of any player in the league, however, he has been very unlucky not to gain selection in the All Australian team in that time, instead earning top-five placings in the Syd Barker Medal in each of the last three years.

Ben Brown

(Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Forward pocket – Jarrad Waite
Joining as a free agent at the end of 2014, Waite became a much-loved member of the team. A career-high 42 goals in 2015 saw him win the club goal-kicking award, before injuries would restrict him in the twilight of his career. The big man managed 125 goals over just 60 games with the club.

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Ruckman – Todd Goldstein
The big ruckman has been one of the Kangaroos’ most consistent performers across the decade, playing a club-high 218 games since 2010. Goldstein has managed seven top-ten placings in the Syd Barker Medal, winning the award after a dominant 2015 campaign that saw him also named as the All Australian ruckman.

That year, Goldstein became the first ruckman ever to win over 1000 hit-outs in a single season. Goldstein has also been a handy contributor up forward in the decade, kicking 108 goals.

Ruck rover – Ben Cunnington
A top-five draft pick from 2009, Cunnington took a while to find his feet at AFL level. However, since then he has become one of the club’s best players, finishing in the top two of the Syd Barker Medal on five occasions, winning the award in both 2014 and 2019.

One of the competition’s best inside midfielders, Cunnington has displayed the ability to be dangerous when resting forward, kicking 84 goals from 209 games in the decade.

Rover – Shaun Higgins
The former Bulldog quickly becoming the club’s most damaging midfielder. He kicked a career-high 39 goals in his first season with the club, finishing third in the best and fairest. He would win his first Syd Barker Medal in 2017, adding another a year later after a stellar campaign that resulted in his first All Australian berth.

Higgins’ 2019 season was arguably his best, however, he missed five games through injury. Despite this, he still managed a career-high 18 Brownlow votes. Since joining the Kangaroos, Higgins has played 91 matches for 92 goals.

Shaun Higgins of the Kangaroos runs the ball

(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

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Interchange – Lachie Hansen
The talented swingman was a key player over the decade, playing both up forward and down back. Hansen’s 2013 season saw him finish in the top ten of the Syd Barker Medal for the first time but, after losing his spot in 2017, he would not be offered a new contract. The top-three draft pick from 2006 played 122 matches and kicked 68 goals in the decade.

Interchange – Ryan Bastinac
He appeared to be a key player of the future after his debut season in 2010 resulted in a fifth-place finish in the Rising Star award. With three top-ten finishes in the club best and fairest in his first four seasons, Bastinac slowly fell out of favour, named as the starting substitute in all three 2014 finals. After playing majority of 2015, Bastinac was dropped for the finals, before being traded to the Brisbane Lions after 121 matches and 66 goals.

Interchange – Leigh Adams
After managing just eight games in his first three seasons, Adams had a breakout year in 2010, finishing fourth in the Syd Barker Medal despite playing just 15 games. He would follow it up a year later with another top-five placing, solidifying himself as one of the club’s best inside midfielders.

Adams also displayed great nous around goal, kicking 66 from his 96 games in the decade. After a spate of concussion issues, Adams was forced into retirement at the end of 2014, unable to take his place in the finals.

Interchange – Luke McDonald
A highly-touted father-son recruit, McDonald joined as a top-ten draft pick at the end of 2013, finishing third in the Rising Star award after a terrific debut season.

Injuries and form restricted him over the next two seasons, but he bounced back with a strong 2017 resulting in a top-five finish in the Syd Barker Medal. McDonald brought up his 100th game in 2019, with supporters hoping he can realise his potential in the new decade.

Are the Roos placed better or worse going into the new decade compared to ten years ago?
North Melbourne will enter the 2020 decade similar to how they did ten years ago: with a new coach at the helm.

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The arrival of Scott at the end of 2009 along with new state-of-the-art training facilities ushered in an era of professionalism, while Shaw seems set on bringing back the on-field toughness and swagger the club was known for during the 1990s.

With a league-high four Rising Star nominations in 2019, North have arguably the best young talent in the competition, something the club hopes will make them a serious contender as they look to break a grand final drought that now stretches over 20 years.

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