North Melbourne 2015

[MW]

Why are they so worried about winning tomorrow night?

[nuggety goodness]

Here's how i'd like it to play out.
North upset richmond, bullies lose to brisbane and adelaide beat geelong...

Week 1 finals then become
Adelaide v North @ AO
Richmond v W. Bulldogs @ MCG

north throw the game, as they appear to be doing, there is no chance they play in Adelaide first week of finals, more than likely play Richmond again.

[MW]

There is no chance they play adelaide in adelaide anyway unless Brisbane beat WB.

[Spargo]

Here's how i'd like it to play out.
North upset richmond, bullies lose to brisbane and adelaide beat geelong...

Week 1 finals then become
Adelaide v North @ AO
Richmond v W. Bulldogs @ MCG

north throw the game, as they appear to be doing, there is no chance they play in Adelaide first week of finals, more than likely play Richmond again.

WB won't lose to Brisbane.
North without 9 starters are more of a chance of winning than a full strength Brisbane.
The uneducated, misguided furore & hysteria amongst the crows numptys is hilarious.

[MW]

If Crows were doing the same to guarantee NM play an away final and Crows home, NM supporters would feel the same.

[Spargo]

If Crows were doing the same to guarantee NM play an away final and Crows home, NM supporters would feel the same.

But all I've been hearing is that if it WAS the other way around " the crows would never do anything like that".
And (if it ever did eventuate) as a North supporter I'd be taking responsibility for my clubs own position on the ladder and not try and blame someone else, because we hadn't won enough games in the previous 22 weeks to lock in a home final.

[HH3]

The AFL have said NM can do it because they are doing it to increase their chances of success.

Exact opposite of tanking.

Why the f**k should any team even consider the feelings of other teams and their supporters? F**k em! This is war! Look after yourselves, and we'll look after ourselves.

If they want a home final....earn it! Don't rely on other teams results.

F**k heads!

[Mythical Creature]

I just hope the 9 players that come in do a few "Sam Mitchell" type of shepherds to further enhance our chances against the tigers next week!

[Booney]

The AFL have said NM can do it because they are doing it to increase their chances of success.

Exact opposite of tanking.

Why the f**k should any team even consider the feelings of other teams and their supporters? F**k em! This is war! Look after yourselves, and we'll look after ourselves.

If they want a home final....earn it! Don't rely on other teams results.

F**k heads!

The amended rule, No. 29, 'To Perform on One's Merits', reads: "(It) means at all times to perform honestly and to the best of one's ability in the pursuit only of legitimate competitive objectives.

"For the avoidance of doubt "legitimate competitive objective" includes the development of the team or players or management of player fatigue or injuries but does not include improving a club’s draft position, improving a club's position with respect to a potential player exchange or manipulating a club's position on the ladder for the purpose of improving its draw within the finals series."

Can you explain to me how the Roos are not breaking this rule?

[HH3]

The AFL have said NM can do it because they are doing it to increase their chances of success.

Exact opposite of tanking.

Why the f**k should any team even consider the feelings of other teams and their supporters? F**k em! This is war! Look after yourselves, and we'll look after ourselves.

If they want a home final....earn it! Don't rely on other teams results.

F**k heads!

The amended rule, No. 29, 'To Perform on One's Merits', reads: "(It) means at all times to perform honestly and to the best of one's ability in the pursuit only of legitimate competitive objectives.

"For the avoidance of doubt "legitimate competitive objective" includes the development of the team or players or management of player fatigue or injuries but does not include improving a club’s draft position, improving a club's position with respect to a potential player exchange or manipulating a club's position on the ladder for the purpose of improving its draw within the finals series."

Can you explain to me how the Roos are not breaking this rule?

Because it has nothing to do with ladder position, and everything to do with minimising injury and fatigue going into our finals campaign.

They're still fielding senior players. Petrie and Boomer are still playing.

[Booney]

So they are not manipulating their position on the ladder to gain a better finals draw?

[HH3]

So they are not manipulating their position on the ladder to gain a better finals draw?

Nope. Resting players to be fresh for a finals assault.

What happens if the Roos win on Saturday?

How is this different to what Freo are doing? Or is it because Port might actually win, you dont mind?

[Dogwatcher]

I think the words of Steve Waugh can be quoted here, "We're not here to win friends, mate".

If you, as an Australian cricket fan, agreed with him back in 1999, then you'd be a hypocrite not to agree with North Melbourne today.

[Booney]

So they are not manipulating their position on the ladder to gain a better finals draw?

Nope. Resting players to be fresh for a finals assault.

What happens if the Roos win on Saturday?

How is this different to what Freo are doing? Or is it because Port might actually win, you dont mind?

It's got nothing to do with Fremantle or Port ( it's absurd you even bring Port into this ) - The rule states you can't manipulate your position in the finals, it's exactly what North are doing. By losing tonight (your team plays tonight mate) they assure themselves a final in Melbourne and not in Adelaide. Smart? Sure is, I don't blame them for doing it.

Can anyone with half a brain see it's going against the very rule introduced to stop this type of thing? I guess not.

[HH3]

So they are not manipulating their position on the ladder to gain a better finals draw?

Nope. Resting players to be fresh for a finals assault.

What happens if the Roos win on Saturday?

How is this different to what Freo are doing? Or is it because Port might actually win, you dont mind?

It's got nothing to do with Fremantle or Port ( it's absurd you even bring Port into this ) - The rule states you can't manipulate your position in the finals, it's exactly what North are doing. By losing tonight (your team plays tonight mate) they assure themselves a final in Melbourne and not in Adelaide. Smart? Sure is, I don't blame them for doing it.

Can anyone with half a brain see it's going against the very rule introduced to stop this type of thing? I guess not.

Sorry champion. Used to saying "Saturday" when talking footy, coz of Ammos.

It would be breaking the rules if they were tampering with the ladder, but thats not their stated goal.

They want fresh players for finals. Can you blame them? If it was round 10, would anyone even notice? Freo are resting players for finals. North are doing the exact same thing. Just because we might move down the ladder a bit, doesn't mean anything.

No matter where we end up now, we're playing finals. Thats the first goal. Accomplished. Next goal is win a final. If the coaches think some players need a kip after 22 games, rest em. Come out fresh and win a final.

Round 23 means f**k all to everyone except the Crows. Thats their problem.

[Booney]

Just because we might move down the ladder a bit, doesn't mean anything.

But it does. It goes against the AFL's rule and the AFL have been piss weak on this.

They really don't have a leg to stand on though as "gastro" or "general soreness" could inflict multiple players at once, easy fix for anyone trying to do what the Roos have done.

They've "rested" players and a convenient by product of that is finishing 8th and ruling out playing Adelaide in Adelaide week one....you can't deny it. Simples.

[HH3]

Just because we might move down the ladder a bit, doesn't mean anything.

But it does. It goes against the AFL's rule and the AFL have been piss weak on this.

They really don't have a leg to stand on though as "gastro" or "general soreness" could inflict multiple players at once, easy fix for anyone trying to do what the Roos have done.

They've "rested" players and a convenient by product of that is finishing 8th and ruling out playing Adelaide in Adelaide week one....you can't deny it. Simples.

Yeah, it may be a by product, but it's not the stated reason. They don't want to burn out at the pointy end of the year which is fair enough.

Why should the Roos consider the Crows feelings when trying to do what that can to win a Premiership?

What if the Roos win tonight?

[Booney]

It's not the "stated" reason, but it is the reason.

They don't need to consider the Crows feelings ( again, not sure why you bring that into it ) as it's simply a matter for the AFL and North Melbourne and the AFL have got this wrong, plain and simple. You can't see that?

[Lightning McQueen]

It's not the "stated" reason, but it is the reason.

They don't need to consider the Crows feelings ( again, not sure why you bring that into it ) as it's simply a matter for the AFL and North Melbourne and the AFL have got this wrong, plain and simple. You can't see that?

I can't either, they're resting players to improve their chances of playing in the big dance, it's not "tanking" where you are prospering for the following season.
I think it's somewhat negative but I'm not involved at Arden Street so I'll leave their list management thoughts to them.

[Dogwatcher]

Despite my previous post, there is a certain smell factor to this.
I wonder if North fans would be defending this so vigorously if it wasn't their club.
I think we have become used to players being rested, but resting virtually half a side is not what most of us would expect.
However, if it was my side, I'd probably blindly defend it as well.