Focusing on the future

GWS next on Roos’ hit list as an exciting season keeps building

Brett Stubbs Brad Scott

Is your rebuild ahead of schedule?

In terms of where we’re at, there’s no real time frame or days marked on the calendar stipulating where we need to be and when we need to be there. It’s not as simple as that. We work incredibly hard as coaches and players to ensure that we are improving and demanding the best from each other every single week. I know the media hate cliches, but they wouldn’t be cliches unless they were true and in that sense, we are taking each week as it comes and we are trying to make sure we are going forwards, not backwards with respect to everything we do. But in saying that, we are pleased how our young and inexperienced players have responded to the challenges they’ve encountered so far and expect nothing less from them with the ones still to come. a finals spot or do you stick to the path of getting as much game time into your younger players as possible? Or are the two not mutually exclusive?

No, they’re not and we never place expectations on where we might finish as I touched on before. We firmly believe that the predictions are for the media and the experts to comment on. We’re just trying to win every game we play; it’s that simple. What do you see when you look at the Giants? Is it just talent or do you see system as well?

It’s definitely both and obviously they’re a bit wounded at the moment with some key players out, but make no mistake, they’re an immensely talented and challenging side to play against, so we won’t be taking anything for granted. They have an extremely skilful list and bat very deep. When one player goes down, they re- place him with an equally capable player. What is the Giants’ strength you need to guard against?

They have many, spread across the board. When you’ve built a list as strong and dynamic as they’ve been able to do over the years, they can inflict damage from all areas of the ground and quickly. We’ll have to be on our game and focused for four quarters to ensure we can win, that’s for sure. Is Ben Cunnington the best handballer and the most underrated player in the AFL right now? C

He’d be close, but we’ve never underrated him inside the four walls at Arden St. Ben has done a job for us year in, year out and is a best and fairest winner, so that speaks volumes about his capabilities. In terms of his work in the contest, there are few better than him I’d say. He does a heap of work and it’s great he’s getting the plaudits now, not that he’s ever wanted them. Is Jack Ziebell’s future now predominantly as a forward?

I still think we’re openminded with Jack and it’s great we have the ability to play him

C

forward because of the impact the likes of Jy Simpkin, Trent Dumont, Ben Jacobs and Jed Anderson are having in the midfield to complement Ben Cunnington and Shaun Higgins. Having those guys play inside allows us to release Jack forward, and also Cunners so it gives us great flexibility. In saying that, we will still throw Jack in there if we feel like we need a different look or if we need to get our hands on the ball. Did you leave Etihad last Sunday disappointed at the loss to Richmond or thrilled to have run the reigning premier so close?

There was a lot of positive public sentiment after our narrow loss, but club-wise, we were far from satisfied with defeat. Though it was only 10 points against the reigning premiers and we had several chances to win the game, it was still a loss in our eyes and we left Etihad disappointed. There were encouraging signs and plenty of positives, don’t get me wrong, but at North, we’re never going to be satisfied with a loss, no matter how close it was or who it was against. Do you see congestion as an issue and if so, what would be your solution?

I’ve said a few times that we need to mindful of changing the rules and that any tweaks could have unintended consequences. I think it’s a good move by the AFL and the Competition Committee to declare there’ll be no changes mid-season. How excited are you about the possibility of having Tarryn Thomas at North Melbourne next season?

He’s an exciting player and we’ve known Tarryn for many years now and have a great relationship with him. Obviously our recruiters have been keeping a keen interest in his performances and were buoyed by his efforts in the recent Under-18s Academy Series. Like with all potential draftees and draftees, we have to be mindful that we’re not putting too much pressure on them or expectations. There’s a long way to go before the draft in November but the signs have been encouraging for him and also for Tasmanian footy in general with 13 Tassie boys named in the Allies squad. Our focus has been to create legitimate talent pathways for young Tassie hopefuls and to help try to get as many as possible drafted into the AFL.