Blowtorch on troubled Roos

NORTH Melbourne players have had frank discussions this week about substandard performances coach Rhyce Shaw won’t tolerate against his club’s “biggest rival” Essendon.

The Kangaroos will go into today’s match without star midfielder Ben Cunnington and his return remains unknown as he continues to battle a nerve issue in his back.

North has taken every player to its Gold Coast hub and Shaw said that had enabled them to have some honest discussions about their poor performances after three straight losses. Shaw said his men were performing in such limited patches it would never be enough to win games.

“We have to address the way we have been playing. It’s not up to the standard we know we can produce,” he said. “We’ve identified some areas we need to get better in.

“This rivalry [with Essendon] has been going on for a long time. Our players understand what it means. They have had the wood over us for a while now, it’s time to turn the tables.”