North Melbourne is under the pump after another disappointing loss, this time to the bottom of the ladder Gold Coast Suns.
The Roos were outworked and outrun at Metricon with the 55-point defeat leaving them in a ‘precarious’ position according to interim coach Darren Crocker.
While Essendon’s 110-point loss to St Kilda has taken the attention off the team at Arden Street, the media didn’t let the Kangaroos off the hook on the day of the game.
AFL Media
"The Kangaroos were never in it. They took until three minutes before half-time to kick their first goal and then fell away badly after the main break. Sitting 11th and a win plus significant percentage behind the eighth-placed Western Bulldogs, next week's match against Geelong at Etihad Stadium now looms as critical.
"The Suns had a hugely emotional week, but it was no excuse for North Melbourne to be outworked and outmuscled by so far." – Michael Whiting
AAP
"The loss puts a massive dent into the Kangaroos' finals hopes."
The Courier-Mail
"North Melbourne were staring down the barrel of their first goal-less half since Round 12, 1979 but the Roos roared back into the contest through goals to Petrie, Ben Cunnington and Shaun Higgins.
"Poor kicking in front of goal, sloppy skills and some questionable umpiring decisions conspired to keep the Roos without a goal for a majority of the scrappy first half.
"The loss is a major blow to North Melbourne’s finals hopes. If they cannot beat the 18th-placed side in the competition, they should not be figuring in September." – Greg Davis
While the Roos were left shattered, some in the media claimed they weren’t surprised by the result.
"I'm completely stunned at this result. But because North Melbourne is involved, I probably shouldn't be." – Adam White
AFL Media
"I don’t think they’ve got the luxury of having the season they’re having when they’ve topped up. I just see a club that’s happy to meander through." – Damian Barrett
"There’s still water to go under the bridge and I’ve been pretty strong with North all the way but I tell you, I’ve never been shakier." – Garry Lyon
Herald Sun
"They’ve teased us for the very last time. They were embarrassed by a team on the bottom of the ladder and so huge questions have to be asked of the football club. They say just wait until the second half of the season, you’ll see the real North Melbourne. And we saw them. Flaky, holes in defence, one-paced. That doesn’t get you into the finals." – Mark Robinson
Former coach Terry Wallace says the Kangaroos have tried to emulate Hawthorn’s recruiting philosophy but with mixed results.
SEN
"It’s all very well stacking up with experience, but I think everyone follows the leader at times. Hawthorn was able to go out and get senior players like (Brian) Lake to add to their list. Other clubs have tried to follow that and it doesn’t necessarily work for everyone.
"They were really thinking of mounting a challenge and it just hasn’t worked out that way. My concern is that they’ve put all their eggs into the basket of this year and next year. What are their exit strategies for their older players and have the players they’ve brought in stifled the development." – Terry Wallace
