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"They legit phoned it in." | First Thoughts - North Melbourne vs Fremantle (08.06.26)
07 Jun 2026
Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.
Chapter 1: What were the initial thoughts on North Melbourne's performance against Fremantle?
we have to since that you're here as you are every Monday start with I know you don't want to do this but North Melbourne on what was a well according to Clarko bitterly disappointing Fremantle were good and we were dreadful and perhaps even a little bit of shame because yeah we want to come over here and be putting on a better performance than what we did today and
So, yeah, bitterly disappointed. You know, they sat us on the back foot early in terms of contests. We never really recovered from it.
First thoughts? Nah, it was one of the poorest performances I've ever seen. They legit phoned it in. Just uncompetitive. And it's hard to go after individuals when it's like this, but in the end... The designated leaders are there for a reason. The one thing that frustrates me is that when you can feel it sliding like this. Sometimes you just need someone to walk into the middle and demand more.
So I'm hard on the leaders at any club, really, because this is why you get the stripes and you get the extra cash and you get your name on the locker with a little C next to it or vice captain or whoever you are. I would have loved to have seen Nick Larkey walk into the middle of the ground halfway through this onslaught and say, hey, hey, hey, what's going on here?
You get going or put himself two and a half back or put himself in the ruck. put himself into the game instead of just withering on the vine in the forward half. So I just didn't think there was enough intervention from the leaders.
Why isn't that Sherry? He's taken a big long-term deal. He's the guy that has been the one to do that. He was getting mauled. I know. Why isn't that LDU? I mean, McKercher and Sheesle were in there. I know they're not the captain.
It's different if the captain does it. I think it's different.
Yeah, break glass and cake. You can't do that every time, I don't think, but that was worthy. You know what?
You're out.
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Chapter 2: Why did the Kangaroos struggle in their match?
She said, I think for the most part this season so far, our AFL players have been doing exactly that. Now that goes on to speak about the growth of, you know, Sullivan, Trimbath and all, which is all true. But there's something that they are easily satisfied as a footy club, I reckon. They have little wins. And they go, okay, we've arrived here. We've beaten Gold Coast.
We're going to head on the road. There's just a comfortability, a satisfaction, which can come into young playing groups, but it just happens too often. How else do you explain 19 goals in a row other than they got ahead of themselves? They were comfortable. Clarko thought it's all happening for us here. The youngsters are thriving. And it was really one really strong quarter against Gold Coast.
The first half was... was average, why does this group get ahead of themselves? Yeah.
If they hadn't have been to Darwin, would it have happened? Yeah, I don't know. That's a good question. Then you're on real runabouts. I don't have the answer to that. And I think it's not physical is the bottom line. So somewhere there's a – A lack of absolute ruthlessness with your preparation, your mental preparation, because they just weren't there.
Is it just they know they're going to get a game every week? Like, Zerhar will play every week. Well, no worries. Why doesn't he go in the middle? Why doesn't Zerhar go in the middle and, like, crash a few packs? Because he's not the answer. But he could be if he wanted to be. Like, go and... Throw your weight around a little. He knows he's going to play.
Like, McCurchie, they're all going to play. They've all got long-term deals. They're all comfortable. They're not going to lose their place at selection, and they're just satisfied with what they're doing. That's the way I see it.
Yeah, and you're entitled to your view. When they put in a performance like this, you're entitled to take it down any path you like because that's just unacceptable. And I tell you, I look forward to this week. Mm-hmm. They've got a great run. I had a look at it last night in prep for today.
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Chapter 3: How did leadership impact the game for North Melbourne?
Their next three weeks, you'll find out if they have or haven't improved. And to this point, you'd have to say they have improved, right? accepting the weekend's a huge step backwards. Have you got the Kings draw?
Eagles this week in Perth. That's the home game, of course. And then the following week is Richmond.
Similar teams. And then I think Essendon. Is it Essendon or Carlton? Essendon. And then the week after that might be Carlton.
So that's three that they just have to win. And then, yeah, the following week is Port Adelaide. Yeah. Our bunnies. Who they've already beaten, yeah.
Our bunnies for 20 years. So you should be winning four of those. Well, that's what I'm saying.
Let's see if they win this week against West Coast, which they will, whether they get satisfied again and whether there's another letter to the members that goes out about their growth and their improvement. And then put your hand out for a contract.
Like Clark O'Boyle reports, Jay Clark said there'd been some inquiries made about an extension.
He's in a world in which Alistair Clarkson is signed nowhere near before the halfway point of next year. Not in no world. You could win a final this year and you wouldn't be signing Clarko in the offseason.
You wouldn't be king. If they won a final, you'd sign him.
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Chapter 4: What role does player motivation play in team performance?
Powerful.
And we talked a lot about a couple of feedback. Oh, do you like the coach now? It's not that we like the coach now. It's do we like the way they played? So, you know, with the speed of ball stuff that Horny's brought in at the start of the year, not everyone loves it, and I understand that, and the numbers are not for everyone. But it is a great guide on how you are moving the ball.
So they gave a little pop handball, that standball handball, that keep the speed of the game going. Instead of going back long down the line, more than they've ever done on the weekend. They didn't have a whole lot of pressure on them, did they? So that's why I want to see it.
There's a lot of retreating going on.
I want to see it in two weeks against Geelong. If they play like that against Geelong and this is them, they are the full book.
Do you think they should extend his contract now? Right now, he's- He's not on a contract, is he? No. He's just on a- Employment arrangement. He's gettable. He is gettable for any club that wants a coach. Who's getting him? Well, anyone can get him. This is what I've been saying for a month now. Carlton could go and get him. If you're Chris Davies, are you getting him?
I would- You're Chris Davies? Yes. Right now, he's the best available coach that's gettable, Justin Longmuir. You're signing Justin Longmuir as Carlton's coach this week? Yes, this week. I'm doing it if I'm Essendon. And I'd think about it if I'm Tassie as well. I think I need to send you to the Maldives for a week or two. Who's better than him right now?
Who's coaching better than Justin Longmuir right now? He's a top six coach. You want a top six coach? Go and get him right now. Why wouldn't you? Who are you going to pick? An untrieder. He's pretty tried and true right now.
Okay. All right. I'm happy to have that. I would be taking Dean Cox in front of him personally at this stage.
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Chapter 5: How does the team's recent performance affect fan perception?
Justin doesn't have a contract. He's gettable to any club that wants him right now.
So he's in front of Ken Hinckley for you?
Yes.
He's in front of Simmo?
For Carlton, yeah. Yep. And Longmire? Longmire, I love him, so I think. Is he in front of him or not?
No.
Well, I think, yeah, because he's right now in the system showing us all that he is one of the better coaches in the league right now.
Yeah. No, I'm happy with that opinion. I'm happy for you to have that opinion. I'd like to see it against the best teams. I'm not potting him at all. I'm not. I just want to see.
He's been in some good teams this year.
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