Speaking to the media the day before the big clash, he pointed to the Kangaroos’ percentage as a measure of their improvement.
“The general public usually just worry about wins and losses, but for coaches that’s usually a really good guide to where a side’s at,” Clarkson said.
“There’s another stat out there about percentage of time in front, and the Kangaroos are the fourth best in the opposition, so they are a really formidable opponent.”
The Hawks could be forgiven for having their eyes on a bigger prize in September, but won’t be taking North lightly.
Back in Round 5, Brad Scott’s team pushed the ladder-leaders all the way in a three-point loss, and Clarkson expects a similar challenge this time around.
“They (the Kangaroos) haven’t been able to finish off games as well as they’d have liked, but they’ve been in the contest in the bulk of their games, and they are a very, very good side so we are going to need to play some really good footy,” he added.
North has won three of its last four games, and while it might be too little, too late for this season, there’s still plenty of respect from outside the club.
“They took account of Essendon really well last week. They’ve got some really good players, they structure up well. Their back-end is well structured. They’re really strong through their ruck division too.”
Jack Ziebell and Michael Firrito have been recalled for the home side, while Brent Guerra and young gun Jed Anderson are in for the Hawks at the expense of Paul Puopolo (calf soreness) and Taylor Duryea (omitted).
