Norths 1991 Tank

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I was 9 years old at the time and vaguely remember my father and uncle saying North didn't try in a game so as to not finish top.

Can anyone fill me in on whether this was ever proven? Did any North official come out and state it publically? Or are we just going on what players and coaches have leaked out to friends and family.

I think throwing away top spot is a risky business. Top spot gives you two cracks at making the Grand final. 2nd and 3rd require you to win a final (the qualifying) to get those two guaranteed cracks which also exposes you to injury that the minor premier is not exposed to. It is only two saturdays off then the second semi and if you lose the second semi you have plenty left in the tank for the prelim. Surely having the guarantee of two cracks at the gf is the stronger carrot despite two saturdays off. Late in the year players are carrying injuries. You can always play an internal trial and train the absolute house down. Thats my opinion.

Anyway would love to hear what is considered the truth about Norths 91 throw.

[RM]

[rod_rooster]

Don't think it will ever be confirmed officially. Perhaps speak to RM next time you see him dash. Seems as though he knows what went on (not that i'd know personally )

[Punk Rooster]

I don't believe that for one second.

[Magpiespower]

That was the talk at the time.

IIRC, the police were going to be called in at one stage.

Nothing came of it anyway.

[MightyEagles]

North had the bye in the last round and it is said that instead of finishing top and having two weeks without a game, let's finish 2nd and have at least 2 games and hopefully make the GF.

[doggies4eva]

I find it hard to believe that any coach or any club would deliberately throw a game.

[MightyEagles]

They wouldn't go out to lose, they want to win of course, that's one reason that they play, but it has been known to happen (teams going out of their way to lose to drop a spot, for say a draft pick).

[onkas-valleysvirgin]

I couldn't agree more doggies4ever.

There are a lot of people who have been involved in a lot of footy games on this site and I defy anyone to come up with concrete evidence that this has happened in any senior game of footy in any league you care to name. How ridiculous.

It's always " a mate of mine says....' funny how you never get to meet anyone actually involved.

[rod_rooster]

Very interesting topic. I can only go on what i've been told by various sources.

I doubt very much anyone involved would be prepared to come out and say the game was thrown. Conversely if people involved came out and denied it not everyone would believe it anyway. I guess the truth may never be known except to those players and officials involved. Who knows how embelished this story has become over the years.

Basically there will always be people who think it happened even if players and officials deny it.

[doggies4eva]

So you are saying that a coach told a team of 21? players to go out and lose a game about 15 years ago and everyone invloved has kept their mouth shut since then?

I find that highly unlikely.

[drebin]

Come on everyone calm down. North has a history of "choking" in the last 1 or 2 minor round games. I suppose we threw the double chance by losing late in both 2004 and 2005?

[Aerie]

I couldn't agree more doggies4ever.

There are a lot of people who have been involved in a lot of footy games on this site and I defy anyone to come up with concrete evidence that this has happened in any senior game of footy in any league you care to name. How ridiculous.

It's always " a mate of mine says....' funny how you never get to meet anyone actually involved.

Using the AFL as an example, what about picking players who are not as good as others in your squad, just because they are young and it will give them experience, as well as allowing draft picks to be gained because you have more chance of losing the game and finishing lower down the ladder. That definitely happens.

[RM]

[RM]

I don't believe that for one second.

[doggies4eva]

I couldn't agree more doggies4ever.

There are a lot of people who have been involved in a lot of footy games on this site and I defy anyone to come up with concrete evidence that this has happened in any senior game of footy in any league you care to name. How ridiculous.

It's always " a mate of mine says....' funny how you never get to meet anyone actually involved.

Using the AFL as an example, what about picking players who are not as good as others in your squad, just because they are young and it will give them experience, as well as allowing draft picks to be gained because you have more chance of losing the game and finishing lower down the ladder. That definitely happens.

The situation of clubs "blooding new players" occurs when clubs at the bottom of the ladder try out other options for next season because they can't make the finals this season. The original scenario was one of a club sitting top which deliberately lost a game to avoid the bye. That's very different in my eyes.

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A coach could train his team into the ground and leave them flat

[Rushby Hinds]

The "tanking" of the game was even alleged in state parliament, under parliamentary privilege!

So i don't think the event is a secret, it was very openly discussed in the media at the time.

And as a mug punter @ the time, for mine the evidence looked very compelling.

[drebin]

The "tanking" of the game was even alleged in state parliament, under parliamentary privilege!

So i don't think the event is a secret, it was very openly discussed in the media at the time.

And as a mug punter @ the time, for mine the evidence looked very compelling.

Come on give North a break! If it is not the Salary cap this year it is dredging up the past. Anyone would think we are cheats!

Also heard today via a retired North "official" that North have had their books checked by the SANFL Salary Cap review people and no problems what so ever - funny about that?. Let's hope they officially announce that so everyone can get off our case.

[Punk Rooster]

Is this it?
Or is it this?