27 points down early in the second quarter, North Melbourne’s players didn’t panic.
‘Play our brand, and the results will come’, the methodology instilled by coach Rhyce Shaw ringing in the ears after the quarter-time break, and one that had every Kangaroo believing they could fight back.
“It was a really impressive game,” ruckman Todd Goldstein told North Media.
“We’ve had a really, really tough month. It’s always tough coming off a Perth trip and a six-day break, the boys fought really well and get some rewards for some really hard work.”
It was a gradual build after the first change, the Roos kicking four goals to two in the second term, and repeating that feat in the premiership quarter to take the lead by 10 points.
Youth and experience alike showing great composure late to steady when Hawthorn was charging back late.
“It was just a great win,” defender Jasper Pittard said in a member-exclusive video.
“To start the weekend off in that fashion, in a big weekend for the club, it’s just really nice everyone can go into that (the 150-year event) buzzing, and in a good mood.”
For Shaw, it was the perfect start to his tenure as senior coach.
“To see all the people down in the rooms and how happy ‘Shawry’ was … we were just happy to get the win for him in his first game as coach,” Pittard said.
The coach’s impact, in such a short time at the club, not lost on the players.
“He’s just made great relationships with the boys and it’s so easy to play under him,” Marley Williams said.
“For someone that’s been at the club such a short time, he just genuinely cares about every single individual,” Goldstein added.
“Whether you’re a player, whether you’re a staff member … he just cares genuinely about everyone and takes an interest in you.”
There was a special feeling in the rooms after the game, with hundreds of fans there to enjoy the win, and the entire North Melbourne staff in the circle for the song.
Enjoying the game, and in particular the victories, key for the Roos’ stars.
“I love North Melbourne. Ever since I got to the club, it’s just been fun for me, and when I’m having fun I’m playing my best footy,” Williams said.
“It helps when you’ve got a couple of young bucks like Cam Zurhaar and Marley Williams who are just balls of energy, because a lot of us come off pretty knackered (after the game). They are just ready to bang the lockers and get the tunes pumping,” Pittard said.
“I think it’s good to just enjoy the win, even if it’s just for five minutes where everyone’s up and about. It’s a long year, so many ups and downs, you’ve just got to take the time to enjoy the wins.”
“We want to make a culture of enjoying our wins; it’s a hard game footy and there are a lot of lows, so when you get these wins, it’s about trying to enjoy them as a team,” Goldstein added.
“You can overcomplicate things and forget that we are doing what we love and having fun doing it.
“It’s a really relaxed atmosphere. We work hard when we need to, but whenever we don’t have to we can really relax and enjoy each other’s company. Rhyce has been really good with that.”
