Brad Scott and North Melbourne’s handling of their situation is a welcome change
So often we have seen a coach sensationally sacked or the pressure piled on a coach so furiously that eventually the club succumbs; but only after a long and painful build up.
Not in this instance however, as both Scott and the North Melbourne football club agreed to terms that it was in the best interest of both to part ways.
Scott was contracted another year until the end of 2020, but with the Roos struggling in 2019 and both parties not satisfied with the club’s current position, it was Scott who suggested to the club that perhaps it was time for a change; and the club ultimately agreed.
It was a mature way of two parties putting the best needs of the organisation at the top of the agenda, rather than allowing pressure to mount as the season wore on.
Scott took the Kangaroos to elimination finals in 2012 and 2016, whilst they made it to preliminary finals in 2014 and 2015.
The mutual agreement has done no harm to Brad Scott’s case for future coaching jobs either, having previously stated that he would always step down if he or the club believed it needed to move in another direction.
The Giants have never looked better for a tilt at the premiership
A controlling win over Melbourne at the MCG has only instilled confidence that the Giants have what it takes to win at the home of football in 2019; a ground that they have historically struggled at.
The 26-point margin that separated GWS and Melbourne at the end of play on Sunday actually flattered the hosts, who were dominated throughout the game before pegging the score back in the fourth quarter.
The Giants’ have always had the talent, midfield stars Josh Kelly, Stephen Coniglio and Lachie Whitfield are among the best in the competition.
Jeremy Cameron is one of the best forward’s in the game, who’s amply supported by superstar Toby Greene, Harry Himmelberg and Jeremy Finlayson, whilst they have their reliable captain Phil Davis taking the opposition’s best key forward each week alongside Heath Shaw in defence.
The Giants have been to preliminary finals in 2016 and 2017 and a semi-final last year; they have the finals experience and the talent to be able to go one step further this year.
Gary Ablett is a frustrated man this year
Coming in to season 2019, Geelong champion Gary Ablett Jr had an almost impeccable record when it came to the AFL’s Match Review System, fast forward to round ten and he’s been involved in three separate incidents with a suspension finally coming on Monday.
His latest incident, a strike to the face of Gold Coast midfielder Anthony Miles again came under scrutiny from Match Review Officer Michael Christian, which is the third incident in a month that has seen Ablett has come under MRO investigation.
Round eight saw Ablett successfully avoid suspension for a raised forearm on North Melbourne player Sam Wright, only a week after he successfully appealed his one-match ban for high contact on Essendon’s Dylan Shiel, escaping with a $2000 fine.
Ablett had escaped suspension so far this year, but the contact on Miles was scrutinised harder, the action was off the ball and deemed as intentional conduct, resulting in a one week ban.
Ablett does have the option to take the decision to the tribunal but that is unlikely, meaning the ‘little master’ will miss Geelong’s clash against the Swans on Saturday.
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