The North Melbourne Conundrum

[Dogwatcher]

This is an outsider's view of what has happened to North during the Laidley years.
This is only my perception (I know how much Roos supporters hate ill-informed perceptions about their club), and I don't present it as fact but I'm interested in hearing other people's thoughts.

The club isn't a basketcase but it isn't as comfortable as it would like to be.
During Laidley's time, the Roos have consistently lived up to the Shinboner ethos of battling against the odds.
They've mostly found themselves in the middle parts of the table with Laidley's guidance taking them to 10, 10, 7, 14, 3, 8.
Due to the club's financial situation and the club's smaller, but no less passionate, supporter base the club has been unable to adopt the 'accepted' football practice of copping a few year's pain for long term gain by dropping towards the bottom of the ladder to get better draft picks. It cannot afford to.
The combined factors above meant that the club has had to push for the best possible position each season with what it has but has never been a premiership threat in Laidley's term.
Its circumstances don't allow it to bottom out but at the same time it can't aim for the peak and instead remains middle of the road.

Working within that cycle, it is going to take a very special coach or some significant changes at the Kangaroos for the club to progress in the near future.

[Booney]

Gold Coast?

[Dogwatcher]

Don't you start Booney.

[Booney]

Who, me?

[Dirko]

Gold Coast?

x 1

[Dog_ger]

I percieved this man, similar / equal to say a Bomber Thompson.

I was impressed by this man.

A passionate, tallented coach.

Unfortunately the ball didn't bounce for him.

[Mr66]

Canberra Kangaroos has always had a nice ring to it.

[unknown source]

Arden Street!

[Dutchy]

geez this thread worked out well

[Dogwatcher]

You having a crack at my post there Dutchy, or the responses to it?

[Dutchy]

nah some of the intelligent answers, quite witty some people...

[Dirko]

nah some of the intelligent answers, quite witty some people...

Dog_ger isn't that witty Dutchy....

[Barto]

Seriously: they should have gone to the Gold Coast.

[Dutchy]

Seriously: they should have gone to the Gold Coast.

People just presume that would have been successful....what if it wasnt?

[Jimmy_041]

Still might go to the sun

i think Brisbane have done well in making it a tale of two cities - wearing the Fitzroy strip in Melbourne was a smart idea

[dedja]

Seriously: they should have gone to the Gold Coast.

People just presume that would have been successful....what if it wasnt?

(sorry Dutchy!) can't polish a turd ... need more than just a change of home methinks

back on topic, the Western Buldogs have proved (for the moment) that you don't need to be one of the big clubs and be flushed with funds (OK, they get AFL handouts to live) to be successful in Melbourne.

North Melbourne are upgrading facilities and they can replicate the Dogs improvement with some smart coach, player and financial management.

Conversely, the Saints also proved that very good recruiting not long ago doesn't guarantee success either, but gee they've turned things around as well (until they implode in the finals).

The glass is always half full ... DW, I think your comments are close to the mark.

[Dutchy]

$$$ wont be a problem anymore, facilites wont be a problem anymore, not being able to have rookies wont be a problem anymore, a board/CEO without vision isnt a problem anymore

plenty of positives for a new coach coming in to take over an already young list

and all this coming off a 3rd in 2007 and a win from a top 4 spot in 2008 - things arent as bad as some make out

[mypaddock]

$$$ wont be a problem anymore, facilites wont be a problem anymore, not being able to have rookies wont be a problem anymore, a board/CEO without vision isnt a problem anymore

plenty of positives for a new coach coming in to take over an already young list

and all this coming off a 3rd in 2007 and a win from a top 4 spot in 2008 - things arent as bad as some make out

Why wont $$$ be a problem?- giving up homes games to play in Perth for cash would lead most people to believe $$ are a problem

[am Bays]

$$$ wont be a problem anymore, facilites wont be a problem anymore, not being able to have rookies wont be a problem anymore, a board/CEO without vision isnt a problem anymore

plenty of positives for a new coach coming in to take over an already young list

and all this coming off a 3rd in 2007 and a win from a top 4 spot in 2008 - things arent as bad as some make out

Seriously Dutchy how can you say that? With crowds in Melbourne below 20 000 and the current stadium deal still in place - face it it wont change until 2011 at teh earliest if it happens. $$$$ are still a problem.

[Mr Beefy]

Seriously: they should have gone to the Gold Coast.

People just presume that would have been successful....what if it wasnt?

(sorry Dutchy!) can't polish a turd ... need more than just a change of home methinks

back on topic, the Western Buldogs have proved (for the moment) that you don't need to be one of the big clubs and be flushed with funds (OK, they get AFL handouts to live) to be successful in Melbourne.

North Melbourne are upgrading facilities and they can replicate the Dogs improvement with some smart coach, player and financial management.

Conversely, the Saints also proved that very good recruiting not long ago doesn't guarantee success either, but gee they've turned things around as well (until they implode in the finals).

The glass is always half full ... DW, I think your comments are close to the mark.

I dont think you can compare the Kangas with either the Bulldogs or the saints, the latter have much bigger supporter bases so have more scope for recruiting members. If I recall, there was survey done which showed that current North membership levels are about the maximum they can expect whereas all other clubs have the potential to increase their memberships through greater latent supporter numbers.