2010 Fixture

The official 2010 fixture for North Melbourne Football Club has been released (which differed from the leaked fixture):

Is Brad Scott the Hottest AFL Coach?

North Melbourne’s recent appointment of Brad Scott as senior coach has been almost universally applauded. Pundits across the board have praised Scott for his youthful enthusiasm, his ‘tough’ brand of footy, his fresh approach … the list goes on. But as yet, none have recognised a key asset of Scott’s: his looks.

Word around the campfire has it that Brad Scott may be the hottest AFL coach. Decide for yourself …

The Contenders (click image to enlarge)

Brad Scott: Hot. End of story.

Mark Thompson (Geelong): hot-ish, in a steal-your-girlfriend kinda way

Paul Roos (Sydney): hot-ish, in a family-man kinda way

John Worsfold (West Coast): hot-ish, in a tough-guy kinda way

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NMFC enters politics: WTF?

Not so long ago, I received an email update from my beloved North Melbourne Football Club informing me that current NMFC Board member, Trevor O’Hoy, is up for re-election to the RACV board. I thought it was a little odd, but got over it.

Roos eNews extract promoting O'Hoy

Spinning Out

I knew North Melbourne’s proposed Learning and Life Centre was nothing more than a cunning ruse, even before they appointed Andrew Demetriou’s brother to lead it.

It was all clear in my head: label the club’s redevelopment plans as a ‘local community investment’ and the State will chip in a few mill. Spin it as an ‘innovative educational facility’ and the Dept of Education will cough up another couple. Throw in some ‘multicultural youth’, ‘underpriviledged schools’ and a few other random buzz words and the philanthropists will be eating off your plate. All the while, Arocca and co. get the state of the art training facility they always dreamed of, with a fresh angle on converting every school kid in the area! Then they appoint James Demetriou to lead it.

“He’ll bludgeon ‘em all ’til they bleed blue and white!”. I can hear the NMFC Board room laughing from the next suburb.

North vs St Kilda, Rd 21

It’s 10.45 on a Sunday morning and I’m on holiday in Exmouth, a prawning and tourist town next to the Ningaloo Reef in WA. There seem to be more emus than people in town today – it’s probably because the Exmouth Eagles won the local grand final the day before. I walk into the Potshot Hotel.

Potshots, as the locals call it, looks the goods: plenty of screens, TAB and no grey nomads (just some grey punters). I ask the bartender if they’re showing the game.

“It’s on Fox. We don’t have Fox … as much as I’d like to see St Kilda fucking flog North.”  The pained tone tells me he’s a North supporter. He suggests the Novotel.

Killing the Game

An AFL player has been charged with possession. The cops found one ecstasy tablet in a search on his house.

WTF?!?

Fairfax get the 'exclusive'

I am appalled at the lack of discretion the cops have shown. And I am outraged, but not surprised, at the media’s blanket coverage of the issue.

Irrespective of innocence, the young man will forever be tarnished. And our game takes another hit.

Journalism 101

When researching details on current issues, best to check with the horse’s mouth before publishing. This is called fact checking.

Further comment on today’s “news” can be found here.

Why North will miss Simmo

Adam Simpson at Arden St

Adam Simpson will be missed.

After nearly 15 seasons at North Melbourne Football Club, Adam Simpson will hang up the boots after this Friday’s clash against Carlton. One of the game’s most understated champions, Simmo leaves a rich legacy from his time at Arden St.

But he will leave a big vacuum.

AFL Membership Ladder

The AFL has released the official club membership figures for 2009, totalling a staggering 586,748 (up 2% on last year)! That’s one in every forty Australians who fork out about $150 a year for their footy club. Here’s the full list:

North’s Kids

The mass media have decided that tanking is today’s issue. Whatevs.

But props must go to Darren Crocker, who is clearly trying to recapture that winning feeling down at Arden St, even if it hasn’t quite worked yet. Tanking is not an option. Clearly, Crock is using the tail end of North’s season to get a good look at the list. And what sort of list is it? Time to have a look at how this season’s debutants are travelling:

Jack ‘Jay-Z’ Ziebell

• Age: 18
• Games: 10
• Goals: 2
• Season highlight: 23 disposals, 1 goal and the rising star nomination vs Port (Rd 7)

North’s highly touted youngster and only rising star nominee. Played consistently for 10 games before breaking a leg. Looks the goods as an inside midfielder, play-maker and future leader. Will benefit significantly from a solid pre-season.

Rating: (out of 3)