North Melbourne’s VFL side battled hard for three quarters but ultimately fell short to a rampant Northern Blues outfit last Sunday.
North Media caught up with VFL captain and development coach Brendan Whitecross to talk about the best-performed Roos at IKON Park.
Curtis Taylor | 15 disposals | 11 marks | 3 goals
“Curtis played a really strong game on the weekend. His leading patterns and work-rate made him very lively in our forward line.
“His awareness of what’s around him is super for a young kid, particularly of the forwards around him. He knows where they’re leading to and he’s really clever in that regard.
“We continue to see his work rate, where he’s able to get up the ground but get back down when he needs to, which is really good.”
Kyron Hayden | 6 tackles
“We’re getting him to develop into a run-with player. His last month has been really solid.
“Considering his experience, his ability to take players out of the game, especially in a role he hasn’t done before ... he’s taken the role by the throat.
“His attitude has also been first-class and his tackle numbers have been through the roof.”
Sam Durdin | 6 disposals | 3 marks
“He was a bit rusty for his first game back, which is to be expected.
“What he provided us with was another voice. He showed leadership, barking orders and setting other guys up, particularly Joel Crocker and a couple of other kids on our defensive end.
“He competed super hard, which certainly helps. We’re not an overly vocal group, so having him there gives us an extra voice and direction. His defensive work and leadership was outstanding.”
Tom Campbell | 18 disposals | 34 hit-outs | 1 goal
“Tom has a very good understanding of the game.
“He’s got a very good grip on the group, he can pick things up very quickly and Tom sets up other people around the ground.
“Very positive, no matter how the game is going. His experience and leadership has been a massive asset at VFL level.”
Luke Davies-Uniacke | 17 disposals | 4 tackles
“In the second half, he was a different class.
“By his standards, he had a quiet first half. We addressed it at half-time, Gavin Brown gave him some things to focus on, and he then showed he was a class above.
“The way he breaks lines is super, for him to respond the way he did, it was a real positive for us.”
Ryan Morrison (VFL) | 14 disposals | 3 marks
“It’s only his second game with us in the VFL, even though he’s played a lot of local footy.
“Ryan hasn’t been with the squad for long, at all. For him to come in and fit in the way he has, and to come in and play his role for our VFL side has been pleasing.
“He competes super hard and you know what you’re going to get from him. In terms of the Shinboner values, he’s never beaten, he’s been all class.”
Aaron Hall | 13 disposals | 4 tackles | 1 goal
Bailey Scott | 5 disposals
Dom Tyson | 8 disposals | 4 tackles
Joel Crocker | 16 disposals | 4 marks
Paul Ahern | 15 disposals
Red Og Murphy | 3 disposals
Tristan Xerri | 8 disposals | 3 marks | 1 goal)
Alex Morgan (VFL) | 14 disposals | 5 marks
Brendan Whitecross (VFL) | 13 disposals | 3 marks
Chris Jansen (VFL) | 26 disposals | 8 marks
Dan Robinson (VFL) | 29 disposals | 7 marks
Fraser Cameron (VFL) | 11 disposals
Jordan McIvor-Clark (VFL) | 11 disposals | 6 marks
Liam McVeigh (VFL) | 3 disposals
Matt Northe (VFL) | 17 disposals | 7 marks
Nash Holmes (VFL) | 20 disposals | 6 marks | 1 goal
Rhys Mutch (VFL) | 9 disposals
