Wood: We can help in attack
MASON Wood says it is time for North Melbourne’s forwards to provide more support for Ben Brown in today’s Good Friday clash with Essendon at Marvel Stadium.
Brown has received criticism in recent weeks from Wayne Carey for his slow start to 2019, and from Brendon Goddard for “staging” last week against the Crows, but Wood backed the key-position Kangaroo to respond to the pressure against the Bombers.
“We have definitely changed the way we have been playing, so that we can come in and help ‘Browny’ and block for him and make sure he is a bit more free,” Wood said.
“(The Kangaroos’ forward fortunes) have been held on Browny for a long time, and it is about time for us to step up to his level.”
He said Brown, who kicked four goals last weekend to take his 2019 tally to 10, had handled the “staging” controversy with minimal fuss.
“He is going to do what he keeps doing and let the umpire adjudicate the game,” Wood said.
Wood was dropped after the Round 1 loss to Fremantle, but performed solidly in attack when recalled against the Crows last week.
Now he cannot wait to take on the Bombers, shrugging off suggestions from Brian Taylor on the SuperFooty podcast that the Kangaroos do not deserve Good Friday.
“It’s a massive day for the club, and to say we don’t deserve it is harsh, I think,” he said.
“We are going to take it for what it is, and it’s not about us anyway, it’s about the kids.”
The Kangaroos players yesterday presented a cheque for $10,000 to the Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal.