It’s an appointment few outside North saw coming, but the club’s acquisition of former Director of High Performance at the Cleveland Cavaliers, Alex Moore, is likely to significantly benefit the side.
Having spent six years at one of the NBA’s most dominant franchises, as well as stint with the US Ski and Snowboarding Team, Moore will look to employ his learnings from his time overseas at Arden Street.
There’s a few things that I’ve learnt,” Moore told SEN.
“(I’ve been) looking at different setups, so working in different sports and seeing how they function.
“I think there’s some things that I can take out of my time at the Ski Team and at the Cavs, in terms of how they place the staff, how they function and how they operate and communicate on a daily basis.
“Working with the Cavs, such a high-profile team, (it’s about) drawing on some of those experiences with athletes at that level and how they prepare themselves and how they get themselves in that mental and physical state to be at their best.
“That’s a big learning I’ll take out of that, and I can impart that on the players and coaches.
“For me, it’s about coming into a group that’s really young and developing, and making sure that we put the right processes in place so that the guys have the best chance to succeed.
“Obviously anything can happen in sport, but as a High Performance Manager, you’re trying to put the right people in place and give the players the best chance they can to be the best.”
Working with some of the world’s best athletes, including LeBron James and Kevin Love, Moore has had a first-hand experience of what it takes to be the best.
“Having seen (the way James and Love prepare) is something I can impart on the players at North Melbourne,” Moore said.
“It’s just that individual attention that I think is really important, and I can make sure that each athlete on the AFL is catered for individually.”
Moore visited North’s Arden Street premises on Thursday to meet the team and get a feel for the club.
“I was really happy with the staff and processes that North have in place, they’re moving in the right direction, and hopefully I can just add a little piece to that which helps the team get better and move forward,” he said.
Despite it being a unique appointment, it’s not that surprising given the relationship Moore has held with senior coach Brad Scott and the club over the years.
“I was the strength coach at the Brisbane Lions 13 years ago when Brad (Scott) was a player,” Moore added.
“We’ve had conversations over the past decade since he’s become a coach.
“Brad is a very intelligent coach and he has a good background in sport science too.
“North Melbourne came out to Park City, Utah which was where I was based for six years with the US Ski Team, so I saw those guys every year.”