David King was a big improver for North, and was the only North player selected in the All Australian Team. King is the favourite for the Club Best and Fairest. Brett Allison was the leading goalkicker, and greatly improved his accuracy in front of goal this season. In the past Allison has unfairly been on the receiving end of supporters. This season he was a more consistent player, and was a match winner on more than one occasion.
Anthony Stevens was a tireless competitor, and played several courageous games with a depressed cheekbone. Stevens secretly had surgery, and wore a helmet for 3 games to protect the injury. John Longmire completed the year after missing all of 1996 with his second knee reconstruction. Longmire played mainly in defence or ruck this season, but still managed to kick his 500th goal this season. Longmire is the club's leading goalkicker. Martin Pike was superb in the backline this season for North. Pike was not selected by Brisbane, despite winning the Best and Fairest at Fitzroy last season. His off-field antics probably caused several clubs to overlook him. But since coming to North Pike missed just one game (due to a club suspension). Pike covered the retirement of Ian Fairley, and was superb in defence all season.
Injuries to Capuano and Mooney were the most severe. Both players missed the entire season due to knee reconstructions. Capuano's loss limited McKernan's opportunities in the forward line, and probably forced McKernan to endure more physical punishment at the centre bounces. Corey's knee problems plagued him all season - it is doubtful whether he was fully fit for any game this season. He will have knee and shoulder surgery at the end of the season.
New players to the club included Fitzroy trio Pike, Chandler and Mellington. All three showed promise - Pike in the backline, Chandler as an onballer and tagger, and Mellington up forward. Mellington didn't have as many opportunities as he would have wished - playing on the bench for many games. His aerial ability and accurate kicking make him a potential replacement for older players such as Crocker. Brent Harvey also started getting a regular game this season, and his pace may be a useful addition to the team.
Peter Bell was another improver - showing his lack of height and pace were no obstacle. His ferocity at the ball and ability to kick a goal saw him cement his position in the side. The backline of Martyn, Archer, Pike and King was the strength of the team this season.
Players that were disappointing included Stuart Anderson, Glenn Freeborn, Jason Daniltchenko, Dean Laidley and Wayne Schwass. For various reasons such as injury, suspension or poor form they all struggled, and had better seasons last year.
The SeasonNorth struggled this season to find the form of last season. With a loss in round 1 to eventual wooden-spooners Melbourne it was evident that this season would be very even. Dropping games could cost a side a chance in the eight. For North the losses against Melbourne, Geelong, Collingwood and Richmond were the most disappointing. Against Melbourne Carey and McKernan were injured - and Carey missed the next 3 months. North lead Geelong by over 4 goals but faded in the second half. Last season North put teams away, and never let them back in to the game. The close losses to Collingwood and Richmond late in the season cost the chance of finishing in the top 2 - and forced North to defend the premiership from seventh. Realistically North would not have expected to make the Grand Final from that position. But two tremendous final's victories had North as Premiership favourites. But St Kilda was simply too good for North - and North ended the match without players of the calibre of McKernan, Longmire, Archer, Schwass and Capuano. For a team to win the premiership they need a combination of skill and luck - injuries and suspensions can tip the balance when the competition is so even.
The FutureDenis Pagan stated on radio that Darren Crocker would be encouraged to continue in 1998. Crocker kicked 4 goals in the last game, but his constant injury woes are of concern. He will be 31 next season, but his body would be more like a 35 year olds. Matthew Armstrong didn't play a senior game, and will be 31 next season. His time at North looks to be over. Mark Stevens wants to be traded, after failing to gain regular selection. He has looked promising at times, and is capable of holding down a key position. However he failed to step up in Carey's absence, and the club looks ready to let him go. Dean Laidley was troubled by injury, and played several games in the reserves. He will be 31 next season, but probably will stay at Arden St. Mark Roberts, 33 next season, will be one of the oldest players at the club. There is no indication of retirement from him though.
Players that may take the next step in 1998 include Kent Kingsley - the leading Reserves goalkicker. Kingsley may make his debut next year. Chris Groom finally got fit, and played seniro football. With a full preseason he will look to improve next season. Cameron Mooney, brother of Sydney's Jason Mooney is another promising player. Byron Pickett, Even Hewitt and Paul Wynd made their debuts in 1997 - and represent to youth at the club. Next season North will hope for better luck with injuries - and hope that McKernan and Carey will be 100% fit. Addition of another fit ruckman will free up McKernan, Roberts and Longmire to play in other positions. Capuano will be a vital addition, but other young ruckmen such as Hay and Hewitt will look to overtake him. The 185cm Adam Simpson is unlikely to be seen rucking at the centre bounce in 1998 - which is how the season ended!
Your FeedbackPeter Stewart (QLD) sent in the following email: Pagan reportedly said after Saints eliminated us that we have too many tough midfielders and not enough skillful ones. I wholeheartedly agree with this. Rock, Scott, etc get the ball but their skills are not smooth like eg harvey, buckley, kemp etc . I believe Anderson has those kind of skills but he just can't get enough of the ball with Norths game plan of getting the ball and kicking it forward (often with little precision) quickly. I'd hate to see Anderson leave (which looks inevitable) and become another Liam Pickering or Brad Scholl and do so well at another club- We've done all the hard work with Anderson. I think we need to change our game plan a bit and become a bit more skill-possession orientated. our midfield is too small (Rock, Bell, Harvey, Chandler,Scott, Stevens) and lacks some silky skills.
My Say: It's true that North has fashioned its game on small players that hit the pack hard. Stevens, Rock, Bell, Scott and Chandler are very different to players such as Harvey, Burke, and Bradley. But it would be almost impossible for North to "poach" one of these type players. The opposition aren't going to let them go. North can however, hope to develop a youngster and look to the future. North should also be looking for some speedy midfielders. North isn't exactly fast, and clubs that run through the midfield (Collingwood, Western Bulldogs, St Kilda) have often exposed North's lack of pace.War" sent in these comments: North's recruiting for 1998 will hopefully address the obvious problems that have been surfacing over the last 2 years. It has been clear since the departure of Peter Mann that we have been deficient in tall defenders. Rumour has it that North is looking at McCartney and Barker as options, but maybe an athletic 195cm+ defensive player could be useful in at least competing with the Rehn and Everitt (200cm+) type giants going around. Capuano's injury problems and long lasting confidence woes should have made North bring in support for McKernan in 1997 (look at lost players like Mark Porter) but rucking aid was not forthcoming. Hopefully North will look at seriously bulking up Adam Hay (assumedly he still stands at 198cm) and also look at getting a 200cm+ ruckman on the list. The emphasis on height should be obvious - McKernan is far overworked and Capuano displays neither the physique nor the leap to suggest he can handle the really big boys. Finally as mentioned in the previous entry, North could do well to acquire some pacy, skilled medium sized midfielders to balance the current undersized and underpaced players. A regular full-forward with a reliable kick would be nice also, but Kent Kingsley looks like he could be developing into that. Finally - is there any news on the future a the underrated Jason Daniltchenko?
My Say: Only own word can describe how North felt when Peter Mann left - betrayal. North had showed faith in Mann, especially early in his career. Mann was lucky not to be axed when he initially struggled to break in to the side. In Mann's last season at North he finally started to show what he had promised. With Mann in the backline and Carey up forward North had two great marking players. When Mann left, he then showed how good he was, by taking almost as many marks in the season as Carey. Fairley's retirement meant North had to find another backman, and Pike has served the club well. But Pike is not a close checking defender. His assets are in running off his opponent. North needs a tall defender to combat other club's ruckmen. Perhaps Daniltchenko can be moulded into a defender. Capuano will need a good 1998 season, or else he could find himself behind the other tall youngsters at the club. Last season North mainly recruited tall players. This season they may go for more midfielders, and hope last season's recruits can emerge. Kent Kingsley could be the big improver in 1998 - he topped North's reserves goalkicking this season.Jack sent in the following email: North lacks speed and precision in the midfield. The only way north is going to combat this is by recruiting a player that has both of these characteristics. It is wrong to blame the present midfield for Norths inadequaces. Players like rock,scott, bell and Stevens are all needed in the side. Stevens can't be said to be lacking skills! He is one of the most skillful and determined players in the side. Rock and Scott may lack silky smooth disposals but are one of the reasons north is recognised as one of the most fierce and aggressive sides in the competiton. The return of Capuano as support in the ruck should prove enormously helpful to the Roos. The possible recruiting of Che Cockatoo Collins would be an enormous boost to the side, but not worth the loss ofWayne Schwass. I don't think Shannon Grant could contribute much to the side. His expertise is already covered by Schwass, Stevens and Bell. North needs just one fast skilful midfielder and a couple of tall young players to cover the inevtable losses of Roberts, Blakey and eventually Martyn.