Noble laments class gulf in VFL

NORTH Melbourne coach David Noble is becoming increasingly concerned about the difference between VFL and AFL standard as his side suffered a 50-point loss to Carlton on Saturday night.

The Roos were in the contest right up to their eyeballs in the first half, but the class of Carlton shone through in the third term when the Blues booted seven goals to two.

“The step between the VFL and the AFL now has grown significantly,” Noble said. “It is a bit (of a concern), the problem is, particularly for those younger guys, to get the games into them to make sure they are absolutely ready to go.

“An example, Paul Curtis was better again (on Saturday night) because he had the tempo and understanding from last week, which we know you don’t get until you expose those guys.

“We talk about playing at AFL speed, sometimes that’s quite hard to do at VFL level.

“The ball is not as reliable, doesn’t get delivered as well, the system is a bit slower, the execution is a little bit more off.

“Trying to get our guys to play with a bit more intensity and urgency at a VFL level is tricky.”