Scott falls on sword as Roos plan ahead
Boost for Tigers with skipper close to return
THE Brad Scott era at North Melbourne is officially over.
Scott and chairman Ben Buckley fronted a packed media conference at the AFL club yesterday to confirm what was widely known on Friday when news of their mutual decision to part ways was leaked.
As for why the decision was made 10 games into the season and with Scott contracted for next year, both parties agreed that with the club set to embark on a period of change, a new voice was required in the top job.
“The strategic direction (that I) presented to the board was with a ST KILDA can take a player in tonight’s mid-season draft after Paddy MIcCCHaArtE in as on the inactive list. RICHMOND The Saints yesterday skipper confirmed Trent Cotchin the injury-cursed is pencilled key in forward to play won’t his first play this AFL season. game in two months when “Following the Tigers consultation face North Melbourne with doctors next and weekend. specialists, Paddy McCartin The veteran has been midfielder placed injured on the his long-term hamstring injury in Round list,” 3 the and club has been tweeted. managed cautiously after suffering McCartin a setback has in his played recovery just last 35 month. ssi bi sltdithth view that I’ve always preached that you do what’s right for the club,” Scott said.
“Put the club first in all of your dealings and let the cards fall where they fall.
“While I would love the opportunity to coach this great football club with all of the impediments removed, I said to the board the club needs fresh air in my view to do the things that it needs to do.
“This game is a fantastic game but a senior coach coaching for 10 years and undertaking a strategic shift ... I just felt the time was right for the club to get the fresh air that it needs.
“In order to do that and with my around the country in tonight’s But in a big boost draft. for the injurydepleted Tigers, coach Carlton Damien is guaranteed Hardwick says Cotchin is the in contention No.1 for Friday’s pick clash after with North the Kangaroos at Marvel Melbourne’s Stadium. stunning
“He’s pencilled in upset to return,” against Hardwick said the after Western the Tigers’ Bulldogs 10.13 (73) to 6.14 (50) victory at Marvel over Essendon. Stadium.
“He’s training well. In what He’s missed will be a the fair first amount mid-season of footy draft so we’ll since work 1993, our t way silliki through it. sldd philosophy of putting the club first above all else I made the offer to step aside.”
Buckley confirmed assistant coach Rhyce Shaw will step in as caretaker for the remainder of the season.
Scott’s players farewelled him with a surprise 25-point win over the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Saturday, his 211th game as senior coach of the club he joined in 2010.
He leaves with a 106-105 coaching record, having guided the Kangaroos to preliminary finals in 2014 and 2015 and elimination finals in 2012 and 2016.
But the Roos’ onfield struggles STAR midfielder Tim Kelly insists table-topping Geelong has “achieved “If he walks nothing”, into despite my office the and premiership says ‘I’m favourites right to go’ recording and the a gritty doc gives win him on the the road. all clear, I know where Kelly, his who magnet is certain will be going.” to firm in Brownlow The Tigers Medal have betting been after hammered another blistering by injuries 35-disposal with Alex Rance, display Jack against Riewoldt Gold and Coast Toby on Nankervis Saturday among night, revealed their medium the motivation to long-term behind casualties his extraordinary but they continue purple to patch find a of way, form. with the win over Essendon lifting But them like the to third team, on Kelly the ladder. is deteri Dustin dt st Martin i th looks to have t rediscovered this season – they had won just two games after nine rounds –were a key factor in bringing forward his departure.
Buckley said the board decided to accept Scott’s offer to move on at a meeting on Friday.
“(We) agreed with Brad that the time was right for him to step aside and we accepted his offer,” Buckley said. “After a meeting between (chief executive) Carl (Dilena) and Brad on Friday afternoon the terms for a mutual parting of ways were agreed upon.
“Brad has always been upfront, honest and preached a club-first approach ... he has stayed true to his word.”
FIVE: Harrison Himmelberg reacts after kicking a goal.
ing the week. I just keep rocking up his best with form the and right veteran defender Bachar mindset, Houli and – who I has been fasting for truly 12 hours believe a day while observing you’re Ramadan only as – starred on Saturday good night as your to win last the Yiooken Award game.” as best-afield.
“I think I even underrate The Cats him completed at stages, the way he runs Round and the 10 way he uses the in ball,” near-perfect Hardwick said. “It’s amazing, touch, it’s Ramadan remaining at the a game moment clear and of Collingwood he just seems with to a play fs better i and better t every year.” d 91 Goals: Hawthorn: J Gunston 6 J CousinsJ Impey J Worpel L Shiels P Puopolo T Scully. Port Adelaide: C Rozee K Amon P Ladhams R Gray S Powell-Pepper X Duursma. Crowd: 11,637 at University of Tasmania Stadium. Goals: North Melbourne: B Brown 3 M Wood3 N Larkey 3 C Zurhaar 2 J Anderson 2 T Thomas 2 B Cunnington J Polec L Davies-Uniacke. Western Bulldogs: S Lloyd 3 T English 2 T Liberatore 2 A Naughton B Smith J Johannissen M Bontempelli M Suckling M Wallis. Crowd: 26,156 at Marvel Stadium.
Kelly plays down Cats’ strong start
* Played last night