But just four months into his tenure as a North assistant coach, he can’t wait for the footy to start labelling the approach of the Kangaroos’ developing group as ‘impressive’.
“The first week I got here when the first to three year players were here, they were straight into the competitive, running hard, doing lots of skills, but actually attacking training,” he told NMFC.com.au.
“That’s been the most pleasing thing, the way they do attack training and the quality of training as well.”
PRESS PLAY above to watch the midfielders' pre-season update | YouTube
Two players who’ve drawn particular praise in the pre-season have been Ben Cunnington and Jack Ziebell.
“I’ve always thought the North midfield was tracking along nicely. But to actually come and see it, day in and day out, has probably got me a little more excited.
“Even at training, not just against the bags where you really hear the air come out of it when they hit them. In the one-on-one stuff and the competitive game-sense training they really do drive through the football.”
Known for his tactical knowledge and focus on defence, the former Kangaroo Tudor is picking up where others left off.
“The best midfield groups have got a great balance between attack and defence. I think Crock’s done a fantastic job and Scotty with the midfield group over the last few years. They were rated really highly at stoppages and we need to continue that.”
With Andrew Swallow out through injury, North will require others to step up through the middle. Enter Shaun Atley.
“He’s been training there all pre-season so he’ll get a go there this week and through the NAB series, and hopefully he’s settled in there.
“He’s a strong player, he’s got really good repeat speed, he’s explosive player and he’s a good decision maker. He’s exactly what you need to be a talented midfielder.”
The number 18 could get his first chance to impress against the Blues on Saturday in Ballarat.
“They’ve got some good players who really know how to attack and win their own ball and will run hard, so it’s a big challenge this week,” Tudor added.
“We just want to practice the things we’ve been training all pre-season. There’s been a few little things we’ve been working on. We just want to make sure we can see that transferred from the training track onto game day.”
A win would be the perfect start to the pre-season, with one eye sure to be focused on getting things right for Round 1 in a blockbuster against the Bombers.
“We’ve given ourselves a good chance. We’ve had a great pre-season, starting in Utah and the way they’ve finished off the pre-season in the last couple of weeks, we are really looking forward to the NAB Cup and then the season.”
