Consistency is key; that’s one of the messages David Noble has been preaching to his players across the 2021 season, and it’s really starting to stick.
Coming up against a red-hot Western Bulldogs side, North Melbourne won both the inside 50 and the clearance counts, with a strong last quarter indicating what the side is truly capable of.
Kicking 4 goals and 8 behinds in the final term, the Roos’ wastefulness in front of goal saw the margin finish at 29 points.
“We’re building belief … our guys stuck to the task really well and gave it a real crack in the last quarter. We’ve been, probably fairly criticised for our last quarters,” Noble said.
“To have a last quarter with that sort of effort and drive, 19 inside 50s and 12 shots on goal, was quite pleasing.
“That learning of how to respond in different timeframes when the game needs to be played at a slightly different level … is something the guys have responded to really well in the last month.”
Despite walking away with just one win from four games since the bye, North has been challenging some seriously high-quality opposition.
From the win against Gold Coast and the draw against GWS, to impressive showings against two bona fide premiership contenders in the Bulldogs and Brisbane, the Roos are lifting as the season progresses.
Noble says the added selection pressure plays a big part in the improvement of the group.
“We weren’t fortunate enough to have that [selection] pressure earlier in the year. The VFL guys have been going really well. Gavin Brown and Leigh Adams have been doing a great job with those guys there,” he said.
“Patty Walker’s been one that’s continuing to impress, Tommy Campbell played another good game today … it’s really important you have that heat for selection.
“It’s great that this week we had 40 on the track from a training perspective, so that’s our best number for six or seven weeks.”
Tarryn Thomas was one of multiple players leading the way against the Bulldogs, with the midfielder setting new career-highs in disposals, clearances and goal assists.
With his new midfield role becoming more natural with each passing game, Noble says Thomas’ ability to keep himself in the contest is key to his rapid improvement.
“He’s learning how not drop out of games completely, there’s some effort we’re seeing in his game pretty consistently,” Noble said.
“I thought he was able to stay in the game in the first half with some pretty good defensive run, he ended up with five centre bounce clearances so he’s becoming a pretty integral part in that area.
“I thought Jy Simpkin was fantastic tonight, ‘LDU’ (Luke Davies-Uniacke), I thought Luke’s game was really solid and you throw Tarryn and Ben (McKay) into that, that middle tier group has been really impressive in the last month.
“I wouldn’t necessarily say they’re leading the way but their level of consistency is a new height for us.”
Another member of that “middle-tier group” who continues to hit new heights this season is Cam Zurhaar, with his four-goal haul setting the tone for a brilliant team performance.
After going goalless in the first five games of the season, Zurhaar’s return to form has seen him kick multiple goals in seven of his last eight games, including two bags of four majors.
Noble says much of that improvement can be credited to a greater understanding of his role within the system.
“He (Zurhaar) continues to impress, he’s really understanding the role as a strike forward up there, his capacity to not only have scoreboard pressure, but [it’s] also his physical pressure,” Noble said.
“His tackles, ground balls, I thought he led the way really well up there … he continues to drive that consistency which is what you need from your forwards.
“What helps is better delivery, so when we get our ball movement better and more consistent through games then that allows him to execute some of the patterns.”
