Past News |
Pickett Goes
Byron Pickett was traded to Port Adelaide for draft picks #15 and #35. North then traded #15 for Fremantle's Leigh Brown. Stuart Cochrane was exchanged for Anthony Steven's brother - Michael Stevens.
Carey Trade Complete
Wayne Carey is officially going to Adelaide, in exchange for draft selections 4 and 20. John Blakey retired and joins Brisbane as an assistant coach. Dean Laidley was named as senior coach, with Paul Hamilton, Robert Pyman and Anthony Allen named as assistants. Tony Elshaug followed Pagan to Carlton. Port Melbourne may become the affliated VFL club, after the Swans withdrew their association with them. Finally everyone's prayers are with Jason McCartney who is in intensive care at the Alfred Hospital. McCartney was one of several victims of the terrorist bombings in Bali.
2002 Season Review
Could there be a year with more off-field drama than 2002? The season started with Wayne Carey resigning and ended with Denis Pagan choosing to coach Carlton. 1996 Premiership defender Dean Laidley was appointed new coach. Adam Simpson won the Syd Barker Medal. Defying the odds the Kangaroos made the finals, after missing out last season, but were eliminated in the first week.
Who's departing? Wayne Carey will go to Adelaide (most likely for draft picks), John Blakey retired and was awarded life membership. Mick Martyn is expected to retire too. Players who could be axed include Winston Abraham (10 seconds of game time in 2 seasons), David Bourke (no explanation required), Shane Clayton (has time run out), Jason McCartney and Joe McClaren.
Membership Fall
A downturn in membership occurred this season. With only 6083 members in 1992 the club posted a record 22940 last year. But with the loss of Carey and finishing out of the finals for the first time since 1993 membership fell to 20831. This is the third lowest total of all AFL clubs.
Kangaroos Message Board
For serious discussion - check out the BigFooty Kangaroos Message Board. It's a very active forum, participate in the on-line polls and have your say.
Eight named to Hall of Fame
On July 20, 2002 Wayne Schimmelbusch was named as the inaugural club Legend. A select group of eight were announced as Kangaroo Hall of Fame members. They were: Keith Greig, Wayne Schimmelbusch, Les Foote, Wally Carter, Ron Barassi, Ron Casey, Ron Joseph and James Gardiner.
Round 16: Baird dropped to rookie list
With the return of Corey Jones to the senior list, either Digby Morell or John Baird had to be put back on the rookie list. Both players had impressed in the senior team, but emerging crowd-favorite Morell got the nod.
Round 6: Blakey 350 Games
John Blakey will play his 350th senior game. He becomes the ninth player in VFL/AFL history to bring up the milestone. After 135 games at Fitzroy he joined North in 1993. That year North traded John McCarthy for John Blakey, and Dean Laidley for Draft Pick 8. Both players were to feature in the 1996 premiership. Interestingly 17 players joined the club after 1992, with 15 leaving. During the preseason Denis Pagan took over the coaching job. The full details of the 1993 selections are here. The Age interviewed John McCarthy as part of story on Blakey's 350th. McCarthy is now in Adelaide.
Blakey's 350th game will also be his 215th for the Kangaroos. He may well end up in the top 10 of most club games. It will also be Shannon Grant's 100th game as a Kangaroo.
* still playing |
Forthcoming Milestones More Management Changes Archer 200 Games - Stevens Returns from Knee Reconstruction Carey Quits - Stevens Captain |
Draft
Michael Martyn has been re-drafted by the club. The full 38 player list can be found here.
Draft Details
Corey McKernan has been traded to Carlton for Mark Porter. There was also an exchange of draft picks, with North getting selections 14 and 30 in exchange for 23 and 39. Lindsay Smith was traded to Carlton for selection 62. David Bourke arrives from Richmond for selection 71.
Mark Porter will wear number 17.
Ex-roo Anthony Rock retired from Hawthorn, after playing in the VFL premiership.
Shannon Grant won the Syd Barker medal for being the best and fairest, despite being dropped for two games this season.
Trade Talk
Ricky Olarenshaw has retired. He is the only confirmed delisting. There is talk that Michael Martyn may be delisted and then redrafted. This would allow both Anthony Stevens and Wayne Carey to be listed as veterans. Currently Martyn is the only player on the veterans list. Under AFL rules a player must remain on the list until being delisted. Only a maximum of two players can be on the list, and only part of their salary is counted in the salary cap.
Corey McKernan is has reportedly asked to be traded. It is believed he will not risk going into the pre-season draft, and wants to be traded to another Victorian club. If a deal cannot be worked out he would remain at North.
Former Roo Jose Romero announced his retirement from the Bulldogs.
Team of the Century
North Melbourne announced its Team of the Century. Current personel included Wayne Carey (c), Denis Pagan (coach), Anthony Stevens, Michael Martyn and Glen Archer.
2001 Highlights
Saverio Rocca - club leading goalkicker (48)
No players were selected for All Australian honours.
Allen Aylett announced as club chairman.
It was a disappointing season - the team won only nine matches and finished 13th. This is the first time that coach Denis Pagan is not involved in the finals.
Missing the finals ended the club's best streak of eight consecutive series (1993-2000). The next best was seven (1974-1980).
Wayne Carey is the club's all time leading goalkicker (671) and this season equalled Wayne Schimmelbusch for the most number of seasons as captain (nine).
Denis Pagan broke the coaching record at the club (217 games) this season. Wally Carter (214) was the previous record holder.
List Cut
Tim Van Der Klooster was delisted prior to the Pre-season draft. Only 5 ex-AFL players have nominated for the draft.
Saverio Rocca moves to Arden St
North selected Dylan Smith with its first pick in the draft (5th overall). Daniel Motlop, brother of Shannon, and Daniel Harris were also drafted in the first round. The trio of midfielders will address a perceived team weakness. Drew Petrie, a ruckman, and Saverio Rocca add height to the team. Pagan admitted than the losses of Capuano, Hewitt and Sholl had created the need for another tall forward. Daniel Pratt and Corey Jones were the club's other two selections.
Martin Pike delisted
In preparation for the AFL Draft the club delisted Martin Pike, Brady Anderson, Brett Chandler, Adam Hay and Brad Stephens. The AFL Draft will be held October 29.
2001 Draw Announced
North's first game is against Essendon, on Friday March 30, 2001. (MCG). The breakdown of games is: Colonial 7, MCG 6, SCG 3, Canberra 2, and one each at Adelaide/Perth/Geelong/Brisbane. We have 7 Friday night games in Melbourne. However only one game in the first five rounds will be played in Melbourne. This can impact membership sales. We have home games against Collingwood, Essendon, Carlton and Richmond which should help gate receipts. The draw is listed here.
Trades Finalised
North aggressively traded to improve the midfield and gain early draft selections. Last season the club's first selection was #53. Now it has selections #6, #8, #14, #23, #30 and #42. This includes three first round selections! The midfield has the additions of Joe McLaren, Jess Sinclair and Ricky Olarenshaw. Seven players from season 2000 have left the club - Dhurrkay, Scott, Sholl (all retired) and Bell, Capuano, Hewitt, Kingsley (traded). Click here for a summary of off season moves.
For a list of every North Melbourne player ever drafted click here.
Commentary: North's midfield has been seen as lacking pace and creativity. Whilst not lacking any "in and under" players - other clubs have exploited North's midfield by running the ball through centre. The addition of Joe McLaren (direct swap for Capuano) and Jess Sinclair (part of the Bell deal) may address this. Ricky Olarenshaw played no games in 2000, and only 5 in 1999. The former Essendon premiership wingman is a big gamble. Whether the team can cover the loss of best and fairest winner Peter Bell is to be seen.
Spider Burton's good season should see a contract extension. North player three ruckman during the season, and was too top heavy. Often two ruckmen were on the bench together. One ruckman had to go. This is a positive move, and may see McKernan have more time in the ruck - where he played in 1996. The forward line should have a more settled look next season. Adam Lange was an impressive improver in 2000. He needs more time on the ground, and should get it now that Sholl, Kingsley and Hewitt are gone. These players all played as the "third forward" behind Carey and McKernan. Most encouraging is the acquisition of three first round draft selections. The team is ageing and having five selections in the first 30 will give us a chance to develop young talent. This has been difficult for the club - finishing in the top five for the last 8 seasons. |
Peter Bell wins Best and Fairest
Ironically Peter Bell won the Syd Barker Medal for being the club best and fairest. North has reportedly been offered 2 first round draft picks and a player in exchange. Winston Abraham looks set to return to Perth, after informing the club he wants to leave. Evan Hewitt is the third Western Australian asking to go home! For the full list of 2000 Club Awards click here.
Peter Bell returns to Fremantle - David King stays
Peter Bell confirmed he would be returning to the club that sacked him after only two games. Bell played 123 games for the Roos and was club vice-captain. He was regarded as a future club captain. The lure of returning home to Western Australia, and a contract reportedly worth $1.8 million were too tempting. Fremantle and North have to decide on compensation when trade week starts.
David King agreed to terms and stayed at North. Fremantle were keen to snare his services. Drum, the Fremantle coach, holds King in high regard. He coached him at Port Melbourne and was going to draft him (when assistant at Sydney) in 1993.
North finish fourth - Season Review
North ended the season with a VFL/AFL record seventh consecutive preliminary final.
Critics labelled the season the end of an era, finishing fourth viewed as a failure. In comparison a finals berth for other clubs (eg Richmond) would be seen viewed as a successful season.
With an aging player list, and the losses of veterans such as Sholl, Scott, Longmire, Allison, Roberts, Schwass, Crocker and Rock over the last 3 seasons, most supporters feel the time to rebuild is now. Pagan has been forced to recycle delisted players as it has been difficult to obtain early draft picks. I feel the club must look to the post-Carey era and invoke a youth policy.
The Good
Reaching a VFL/AFL record seventh straight preliminary final
Denis Pagan continues his streak of 18 consecutive years of coaching a VFL/AFL side to the finals
Brent Harvey's selection to the All Australian Team
Wayne Carey All Australian Captain again
John Blakey reaching 300 games
Jason McCartney's consistency
Increased sponsorship - Canbet and Orange in unique promotions
The Bad
Season 2000 will be memorable for what went wrong off the field. These events included:
Byron Pickett surviving a serious car accident in the pre-season
Anthony Stevens almost losing his life from a lacerated neck
Ron Casey (Chairman) passing away on June 19, 2000
Martin Pike being suspended by the club on two occasions for disciplinary reasons
Winston Abraham being filmed in a brawl in Crown Casino
Poor Sydney attendances, culminating in the Round 22 match being moved back to Melbourne
Mark Dawson resigning as Chairman of Selectors, only to return (allegedly over an argument regarding Ryan Pagan's promotion)
Suspensions to key players for clearly undisciplined play
Getting thrashed in two finals
All Australian Honours
Wayne Carey was named captain of the All Australian Team. Brent Harvey was selected to the All Australian Team (interchange) for the first time. Carey was named AFL Players' Association "Most Inspirational Captain", and also the AFL Captain of the Year.
2000 Membership
The 2000 membership figures show the club had a 0.34% increase in membership. The club has 22,156 members this season. Melbourne, Western Bulldogs, St Kilda and Brisbane have fewer members.
2000 Team Photo
The official team photo is available for download.
Longmire Retires
John Longmire announced his retirement from AFL football. Longmire's 200th and last game was the 1999 Grand Final - a fitting end for a club champion. He won the Coleman Medal at only 19 years of age, and led the club goalkicking from 1990-4. In 1990 he won the Club Best and Fairest.
Milestones
John Blakey has played 299 senior games. Apart from already holding the VFL/AFL Preseason Games Record, he will receive AFL Life Membership when he plays his 300th. Wayne Carey has captained the club for 147 games. The record is 150 by Wayne Schimmelbusch.
Trade News
Craig Hayes has submitted the details for my missing team lists. This site now has a comprehensive list of recruits, draft picks and player lists from 1986 to 2000. Browse over the 15 seasons, and remember some names you wish you had forgotten! Hands up if you remember the two players North gave to Brisbane in 1987. (Incidentally I went throught the list of dud-players Brisbane was given by all clubs - Mark Roberts is the last of the founding team members.) Click here for details.
Colbert joins!
Leigh Colbert has joined the Kangaroos, in a three-way deal which sent Cameron Mooney and three draft picks to Geelong and Scott Welsh to Adelaide. North also traded a draft pick to Brisbane for David Calthorpe. In other news, Anthony Stevens won the Syd Barker Medal for best and fairest. Stevens also had surgery to re-attach his pectoral muscle to the bone. Carey and McKernan both had shoulder surgery. Click here for a summary of all trades from 1994-2000.
1999 Premiers: North Melbourne 19.10 (124) d Carlton 12.17 (89)
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Post Season Moves
North will look to extend Denis Pagan's contract past 2000. The club will have to appoint a new assistant coach after Mark Thompson leaves for the senior coaching role at Geelong. Anthony Mellington was delisted. Welsh looks likely to be traded back to South Australia, in a deal that might delived Leigh Colbert to Arden St. Mick Martyn is out of contract, and negiotiating with the club.
Team of the Decade
North Melbourne, West Coast and Adelaide all won two premierships during the 1990s. However the title of "Team of the Decade" is a choice between the Eagles and Kangaroos. Both have a 2-1 record in Grand Finals, but the Eagles made the finals every year and boast the best winning record (64.2%). North made the finals every year from 1993 onwards, and had more top four finishes than the Eagles (6 to 5). After making the last six consecutive Preliminary Finals North has been in contention for the flag more often than the Eagles. North has the second best winning record (61.7%). Whether the Eagles or Roos deserve the title is open for debate. Clearly the Eagles dominated the early half of the decade, whereas North owned the latter half.
Schimma's All Star Team
Wayne Schimmelbusch was asked to name his best North Melbourne team from 1970-1999. Click here to view the team. Other "all star" teams that have been named in the media over the last few years include Allen Aylett's All Star Team, and the Football Record's All Star Team.
1999 Team Photo Official Club Site Launched! 1999 All Australians Mark Roberts Retires Senior List Finalised 1999 beckons Draft Picks Anthony Rock Departs Two players cut Bomber Thompson joins North Wayne Carey Best And Fairest 1999 Senior List
Click here for 1999 Team Photo
Finally the club has an official site. It is at www.kangaroos.aust.com. As my website was started to fill the void, I will no longer write weekly match reports or keep statistics. However all the Club Historical Archives will be continued at this site, as well as important announcements.
Wayne Carey was named All Australian Captain for the third time. Carey has been selected six times. Peter Bell and Byron Pickett was selected for the first times.
Mark Roberts announced his retirement after 202 games. He debuted in 1985 and played 18 games in 2 seasons with Sydney, and 58 games in 4 seasons with Brisbane. He arrived at North in 1991, and played in the 1996 Premiership. Roberts has an excellent tactical knowledge of the game, and will look to a coaching career. Roberts was one of the past players in the pre-Grand Final parade.
Each AFL club has a total of 46 players listed. North has 40 players on the Senior List, after selecting John Spaull in the February Draft. North also has 2 veterans listed (Martyn and Sholl) and four rookies (Imbi, Kingsley, Nalder, Pagan).
North has announced that both Mazda and Smokefree will be major sponsors. They will alternate as being the main guernsey sponsor. North is the only Victorian club to have joint major sponsors. Hewlett Packard have remained as a sponsor. Glenn Freeborn was drafted by Collingwood, and Anthony Rock by Hawthorn. Wayne Carey is set to sign a new contract which will tie him to the club for four seasons. He will become the first player to earn $1 Million a season. His income will be split in to on-field and off-field roles.
North had seven draft picks, the most notable being former Fremantle Docker Garry Dhurrkay. The club's first pick was Brady Rawlings. Three interesting facts:
#1 Anthony Rock was not drafted by any club
#2 Wayne Jackson refered to the club as "North Melbourne Kangaroos", "North Kangaroos", and finally just "Kangaroos" - surely setting the trend for the 1999 season
#3 North decided not to draft Matthew Greig, son of Keith Greig.
Click here for all the draft selections.
After being at the club sine age 14, Anthony Rock left North Melbourne. Rock emphasised the decision was his own, and thanked the club for the opportunities in the past. He complimented Greg Miller and Denis Pagan, though he expressed disappointment with his season, and limited role in the Grand Final. Kent Kingsley was also delisted. Craig Sholl and Michael Martyn were placed on the veteran's list.
Chris Groom, Luke McCormick, Damian Houlihan and Josh Robertson were delisted. With senior lists dropping from 42 to 40 for next season, more players are expected to be cut to free up room for draft selections.
North was quick to snap up the former Essendon assistant coach, Mark Thompson. Thompson had quit Essendon only the day before, after a year in which he had several disputes with Kevin Sheedy. Thompson's role will be the reserves coach. Tony Elshaug, last season's reserves coach, joins Norm Dare as an assistant coach. The Age reported that North has the largest full-time coaching panel in the AFL - Pagan, Dare, Elshaug, Harrington and Thompson.
As expected, Carey won the best and fairest award. It was the fourth time he won the award, level with David Dench and Noel Teasdale. Stevens and Archer made up the top three. Details of the votes are here.
Next season clubs will have a senior list restricted to 40 players. This is two less than in 1998. There will be a Veterans' List of up to two players. Eligibility criteria are age 30+, and 10 or more seasons at the club. Only 50% of the players wage will be counted in the salary cap. Once a player is put on the list they must remain there until retirement. The rookie list brings the total number of players on the list to 46 (Senior list: 40, Veterans: 0 to 2, Rookies 4 to 6).
End of Trading Period
North Melbourne was the only AFL club not to trade any players or draft picks in the trading period. The deadline passed without North able to make a successful bid for disgruntled Richmond vice-captain Wayne Campbell. It was rumoured that Glenn Freeborn, Anthony Rock and Scott Welsh were offered to Richmond, but this has not been confirmed by the club. It was also reported in the general media that Anthony Rock requested to be traded, but no trade agreement was made. North has draft picks: 15, 31, 47, 63, 79, 95.
Adelaide 1998 Premiers
Adelaide completely overran North in the second half of the Grand Final, to deservedly become the first back to back premiers for a decade. It was a disappointing finish to a great season for North Melbourne. The year's highlights included Winston Abraham winning mark of the year, Wayne Carey winning the AFLPA MVP award, and proving he is the number 1 player in the competition. Glen Archer won the AFLPA most courageous player award. North also set a club record winning 11 consecutive matches and Byron Pickett won the best rookie award.
Craig Sholl's 200th game was the Grand Final - sure to be a disappointing milestone. Sholl, Rock and Longmire are three players who have been named as possible trades, as Pagan promised the club would continue to aggresively recruit. North is still after a tall defender and fast midfielders.
Darren Crocker retired, and was paraded around the MCG prior to the Grand Final. It was a fitting finale to one of the best clubmen in North's history. Crocker was plagued with injury throughout his career, finishing with 165 games, including the 1996 premiership. The Herald Sun reported that only 3 players have worn the Number 27 in the last 42 years; Laurie Dwyer, Keith Greig and Darren Crocker. It will be interesting to see which player has the honour of wearing 27 next season.
Second Letter to all Club Members
Here is the complete letter sent to all NMFC members last week. It outlines the club's future vision, and also comments on 1998 Membership, Tribunal results and Player Contracts.
AFL All Australian Selection
Wayne Carey was named captain of the All Australian team for 1998. He will lead Australia against Ireland in a modified football code. David King, Glen Archer and Anthony Stevens were also named in the All Australian Team. Carey was also voted MVP by the AFL Players Association. He was also voted best captain by the AFLPA.
Mark Roberts - 200 Games
Mark Roberts will play his 200th game on Friday. The "Fridge" played 18 games in 2 seasons with Sydney, and 58 games in 4 seasons with Brisbane.
1999 Draw
North has received support from the AFL over the proposal to play 15 MCG games and 5 SCG games in 1999. In a letter to all club members North explained the rationale behind the move. The club also confirmed plans for a 7 game "Southern Stand" membership, a 15 game MCG membership and 4 game interstate membership. The move could add over $1 Million in extra revenue for the club. No doubt the 15 MCG games will be a bonus for Victorian members - no more Waverley or Optus Oval games! (Personally, I'm sick of *paying* for a seat in the Legends stand for home games, when I am already a member).
Byron Pickett Top Rookie
Byron Pickett won the Norwich Rising Star Award after polling an unprecedented 30 votes. Pickett scored the maximum number of votes, and won from Nick Stevens (19 votes). Last season Pickett played 1 senior game, but has played every game in 1998, including representing SA in State of Origin.
Pickett signed a contract with the club for another 2 years. Click here for an article about Pickett's rise as a player.
Letter to all Members
The club has sent a letter to all members. Here is a copy of the letter. The Club remains committed to staying based in Melbourne.
Next season North Melbourne may be known simply as "The Kangaroos". The club is looking to broaden its appeal in the national competition. This includes a plan to play 5 away games in Sydney next season. If the AFL Commission approves North's wishes, North could play 15 MCG games, 5 SCG games, and 2 other interstate games. There will already be a new membership category for Victorian based members in 1999, which will admit members in to "away" games. The ticket will cost around $130. This fits into the AFLs ground rationalisation scheme, which will eventually do away with the current "home and away" system.
North Melbourne has formally requested for a Good Friday night match next season. The club wants to play Carlton at the MCG under lights. North has applied for a Good Friday match for the last few years, but been rejected every time.
Is North the best recruiting club in the AFL?
North has recruited quality players such as Grant, Abraham and Pickett over the last two seasons. The only major loss in this time was Wayne Schwass. Read this article for more details. A quick look at North's senior side reveals several players that started at other clubs. Nine players from North's Round 20 team had senior experience at other clubs (Chandler, Pike, Blakey, Roberts, Grant, McCartney, Bell, Scott and Abraham). And who could forget the recruiting coup where North gained both Longmire and Carey from the Swan's zone?