Happy New Year

Just taking the time to wish everyone of my readers a Happy New Year.
I know it's a day early but I want to get this out of the way considering that we all have some big plans for next year.
That's right 2012 is going to be huge.
Firstly, we have to make sure that North Melbourne don't go under. The donations are still coming in thick and fast which is awesome.
Secondly, our membership tally is around the 18k mark which is better than this time last year where we only had 10k members.
Most people want to help out which is awesome.
I am looking forward to the start of the footy season and being able to see my team play up here in Ballarat in the NAB Cup.
IT's going to be a game against the Western Bulldogs who are a rival to us.

North Melbourne's Membership Tally Smashed Before Christmas

Wow! Pretty impressive news to hear to report.
To the 15,193 people who have signed up before Christmas North Melbourne say thanks.
http://www.kangaroos.com.au/latestnews/newsarticle/tabid/4912/newsid/127440/default.aspx

To those who haven't bothered to sign up please consider doing so. We don't want to see anyone miss out on watching their team play and possibly make the finals in 2012. We would like to see a huge royal blue and white cauldren at Etihad Stadium with everyone attending.
Let's see if we can double our tally before the NAB Cup starts and then go from there.

Keep the memberships and pledges coming. Everything helps.

North Melbourne Finalises it's list for 2012

Pre Season and Rookie Draft 

North Melbourne didn't have any picks in the Preseason draft. We had 5 picks in the Rookie draft. 

Pick 10: Max Warren

Pick 28: Brad Mangan

Pick 46: Malcolm Lynch

Pick: 63: Sam Gibson

Pick 77: Gavin Urqhart

Nobody picked up Brendan Fevola or Leon Davis. This doesn't surprise me at all. In fact it's the right call. These people need to bring bums on seats elsewhere at State level or at local level. No doubt about they will but they just don't fit into today's footy. 

Am looking forward to when the footy season starts. It's going to be awesome for all of us. Exciting times for North Melbourne. I am pretty happy to say this knowing that it's true and knowing that I am on the same page with the club knowing it's goals and it's needs. 

Am over the moon with who North have got on their list. They are just a fantastic team.
North Melbourne are awesome and will be awesome. I can smell it.

North Melbourne's Family Day Celebrations

I went to this on Saturday. It was the most awesome thing I had been to. I was happy because I got a photo with a rather cool dude. The North Melbourne Coach Brad Scott. He's awesome and I love him to bits. So glad he's the coach of the team that I barrack for.
It was very hot and humid outside but we all had a ball and it was awesome for everyone.
I got some pics but they weren't that great.
I will publish the one of Brad Scott and myself cuddling up to eachother.

Brad was happy to have his photo taken. It made me feel great to have my pic taken with him as well. Nice guy too. Have got a lot of respect for both Brad and his identical twin brother Chris who is the coach of Geelong.
I reckon both twins are top blokes.
I will tell you something. Keep reading.
Brad Scott signed me up as a North Melbourne member when he got the job. He wanted me to support him. I have and I am still backing him up all the way.
Yes he has his haters and yes you all have your own opinions on Brad Scott but please when you are talking to me on twitter, facebook or google+ about Brad Scott and his twin bro Chris make sure that you don't be negative about them to me.

Just like to say thanks to North Melbourne Footy Club for allowing me to travel all the way from Ballarat to Melbourne for the day. Had the time of my life.

Carn the mighty Roos!

AFL's decision to Take Over North Melbourne Rejected 4 years ago

That's right you heard me. North Melbourne didn't want to relocate to the Gold Coast. This has proven to be an awesome move because the club has not only improved but they have got the right people on board helping them out to move onwards and upwards.
The AFL had plans to take North Melbourne over and the worst thing about it was they had to relocate to the Gold Coast which meant that we would have had no members, and not many people wanting to relocate with the club up to the Gold Coast.
Sure we would have had a lot of positives but we really need to be a club that stands on our own two feet. That's what really matters. Sure the AFL would have helped us out but we really needed things to go our way. So the decision was rejected.
As a North Melbourne supporter that decision makes me really happy. Happy due to the fact that I get to see my team train and play up here in Ballarat. Happy that I get to catch a train down to Melbourne and get to go their Family Days, and any games I want to during the year.
If the club had of accepted the decision of moving and relocating to the Gold Coast I probably wouldn't have signed up as a member. It would have disappointed me greatly.
Whilst North have got a hell of a lot of haters bagging the crap out of us to this day, I am sure that you wouldn't want to have what North are currently going through right now.
Today is important for the club as this decision was rejected 4 years ago to the day.
I can gladly say that my 3rd year membership is coming as it has been paid for along with the $25 donation to the club has been paid for.

That's more than what all of  North Melbourne's haters will pay.
To the haters go and put your money where your mouth is. Lift a finger. Do your bit to help the club out.

Negative Footy fans

I am going to let you all in on a massive secret. That massive secret is that I have been abused by a few people on twitter, facebook and on an online forum.
These people who I won't mention ever again are abusive morons.
I dare you to have a look at http://www.twitter.com/roospremiers11 account and see what this person is saying. I reported that account along with the disgraceful comments to twitter.
Then on the limboclub forum (i know it's a disgusting place) I am getting abused by an idiot who is known as Roddy Woomble on there. He's also known as Jaymin. He emailed me an abusive email today because he thought I was spamming him.
I reported him to hotmail.
Why am I getting abused? I don't really want to have to put up with your childish and immature crap.

The National AFL Draft 2011

It was on again last night this time from GWS's new stadium called Skoda Stadium. There were many things that happened on the night. The draft had started at 6pm behind closed doors. Don't know why they did have a lockdown but it didn't work out for them. The audio was shit, they could have done it better than wearing old stuff that looked terrible and didn't work. What about lapel mics and ear pieces? everyone should have worn those. Looks better and sounds better.

North had gotten used 2 of their 4 picks by boosting their ranks. We recruited Brad McKenzie who is from Sturt and has an awesome kick. We also recruited Tom Curran who is the son of Hawthorn champ Peter Curran. The other two picks were used to upgrade two of the guys who were on the rookie list to the senior list. Cam Pederson and Luke Delaney.

A few of the funny things that happened.

Alastair Lynch had grown a mo to support mens health. It was this orange looking thing under his nose that looked funny. It had Chris Scott and a few of the other guys laughing at him.

Anthony Hudson decided to turn everything into a panel interview... Please we don't want this. It was annoying because it interrupted the draft.

Fev didn't get picked. We only now wish that the idiots who keep on asking us why North Melbourne didn't recruit him it's because the club doesn't want a pisspot who has got so many issues swimming around his head doing things that are going to bring the club into disrepute. Fev has a history of doing those sorts of things and misuses the trust and the support that people have in him.

The AFL decided to have the draft in a lockdown mode. Annoying because people were kept in the lurch.

Fox sports piss farting about with the whole thing looked stupid. Interviews whilst the draft was still going on was really annoying. Wait until the draft is finished.

National Draft: All the picks






9:58 AM Fri 25 Nov, 2011
North Melbourne used its first pick in the National Draft to select Brad McKenzie.


ROUND ONE
1. GWS Giants - Jonathon Patton (Scoresby FC/Eastern Ranges)
2. GWS Giants - Stephen Coniglio (Upper Swan JFC/Swan District)
3. GWS Giants - Dom Tyson (Oakleigh Chargers/Camberwell Junior)
4. GWS Giants - Will Hoskin-Elliott (North Sunshine FC/Western Jets)
5. GWS Giants - Matthew Buntine (Berwick FC/Dandenong Stingrays)
6. Port Adelaide - Chad Wingard (Imperials FC/Sturt)
7. GWS Giants - Nick Haynes (Frankston Bombers FC/Dandenong Stingrays)
8. Brisbane Lions - Billy Longer (Macleod FC/Northern Knights)
9. GWS Giants - Adam Tomlinson (Oakleigh Chargers/Canterbury Junior)
10. GWS Giants - Liam Sumner (Sandringham Dragons/St Pauls-McKinnon Junior)
11. GWS Giants - Toby Greene (Oakleigh Chargers/Ashburton Junior)
12. Brisbane Lions - Sam Docherty (Phillip Island FC/Gippsland Power)
13. GWS Giants - Taylor Adams (St Joseph’s FC/Geelong Falcons)
14. GWS Giants - Devon Smith (Geelong Falcons/Lara Little League Club)
15. Richmond - Brandon Ellis (West Coburg FC/Calder Cannons)
16. Fremantle - Thomas Sheridan (Calder Cannons/Riddells Creek Junior)
17. Western Bulldogs - Clay Smith (Lucknow FC/Gippsland Power)
18. North Melbourne - Bradley McKenzie (Sturt)
19. Essendon - Elliot Kavanagh (Western Jets/Williamstown Juniors)
20. Fremantle - Hayden Crozier (Rowville FC/Eastern Ranges)
21. Sydney Swans (FS) - Tom Mitchell (Hale School/Claremont)
22. Carlton - Joshua Bootsma (South Coogee JFC/South Fremantle)
23. West Coast Eagles - Murray Newmam (Swan Districts/Upper Swan Junior)
24. Gold Coast Suns - Henry Schade (North Hobart/Sandy Bay Junior)
25. St Kilda - Sebastian Ross (North Ballarat Rebels/Horsham)
26. Richmond - Todd Elton (Dandenong Stingrays/Somerville)
27. Adelaide - Sam Kerridge (Bendigo Pioneers/Mildura Junior)
28. West Coast Eagles - Fraser McInnes (Perth/South Perth Junior)
29. Fremantle - Alex Forster (Norwood/Payneham Nu)
30. Brisbane Lions - Elliot Yeo (East Fremantle/Booragoon Junior)

ROUND TWO
31. Essendon - Jackson Merret (Geelong Falcons/Cobden Football)
32. Geelong - Joel Hamling (Claremont/Cable Beach)
33. Hawthorn - Bradley Hill (West Perth/Quinns District Junior)
34. Geelong - Shane Kersten (South Fremantle/Lakes Junior)
35. St Kilda - Daniel Markworth (Calder Cannons/Macedon)
36. Melbourne - Rory Tarrgert (North Ballarat Rebels/Horsham Saints)
37. St Kilda - Jack Newnes (Northern Knights/Ivanhoe Junior)
38. Hawthorn - Jordan Kelly (Dandenong Stingrays/Edithvale-Aspendale Junior)
39. Western Bulldogs - Michael Talia (Calder Cannons/Greenvale)
40. North Melbourne - Tom Curran (Oakleigh Chargers/Ashburton Junior)
41. Adelaide - Mitchell Grigg (Norwood/Athelstone)
42. St Kilda - Jimmy Webster (Glenorchy/Brighton)
43. Sydney Swans - Jordan Lockyer (West Perth/Joondalup Kinross Junior)
44. Carlton - Sam Rowe (Norwood/Sydney Swans)
45. Port Adelaide - Brendon Ah Chee (South Fremantle/Kelmscott Junior)
46. Adelaide - Nicholas Joyce (Eagles/Crystal Brook)
47. Brisbane Lions - Patrick Wearden (Murray Bushrangers/Kyabram)
48. Geelong - Jordan Murdoch (Glenelg/Port Macdonnell)

ROUND THREE
49. Western Bulldogs - Daniel Pearce (Oakleigh Chargers/Templestowe)
50. Collingwood - Jackson Paine (Sandringham Dragons/East Malvern Junior)
51. Port Adelaide - Nathan Blee (East Perth/Ballajura Junior)
52. Melbourne - Josh Tynan (Gippsland Power/Garfield)
53. Hawthorn - Alex Woodward (Sandringham Dragons/Noble Park Junior)
54. Melbourne - James Sellar (Adelaide/PHOS Camden)
55. Richmond - Matthew Arnot (Oakleigh Chargers/Vermont)
56. GWS Giants - Tom Downie (North Ballarat Rebels/Benalla Junior)
57. Western Bulldogs - Tory Dickson (Bendigo Bombers/Beaconsfield)
58. Fremantle - Lachie Neale (Glenelg/Kybybolite)
59. Essendon - Nicholas O'Brien (North Ballarat Rebels/Carngham Linton)
60. St Kilda - Jay Lever (Geelong Falcons/South Barwon)
61. Sydney Swans - Alex Brown (Oakleigh Chargers/Doncaster Heights Junior)
62. Carlton (FS) - Dylan Buckley (Northern Knights/Fitzroy Reds)
63. West Coast Eagles (PR) - Ashton Hams (West Coast Eagles)
64. Adelaide - Cameron Ellis-Yolmen (Woodville-West Torrens/Flinders Park)
65. Collingwood - Corey Gault (Swan Districts/Mazenod Junior)
66. Geelong - Lincoln McCarthy (Glenelg/Bordertown)

ROUND FOUR
67. Collingwood (SP) - Jarrod Witts (Sydney University/St Ives)
68. St Kilda - Beau Wilkes (West Coast Eagles)
69. Brisbane Lions (PR) - Mitchell Golby (Brisbane Lions)
70. Western Bulldogs (PR) - Luke Dahlhaus (Western Bulldogs)
71. Fremantle - Pass
72. Fremantle - Cameron Sutcliffe (Woodville West Torrens/Kadina)
73. Western Bulldogs (PR) - Matthew Panos (Western Bulldogs)
74. North Melbourne (PR) - Luke Delaney (North Melbourne)
75. Essendon (PR) - Stewart Crameri (Essendon)
76. St Kilda - Jason Blake (St Kilda)
77. Hawthorn (PR) - Luke Breust (Hawthorn)
78. Geelong - Orren Stephenson (North Ballarat/Redan)

ROUND FIVE
79. GWS Giants - Sentanta O'Hailpin (Carlton)
80. Gold Coast Suns (PR) - Alik Magin (Gold Coast Suns)
81. Port Adelaide - Pass
82. Adelaide (PR) - Matthew Wright (Adelaide)
83. Fremantle (PR) - Nick Lower (Fremantle)
84. North Melbourne (PR) - Cameron Pedersen (North Melbourne)
85. Sydney Swans (PR) - Nathan Gordon (Sydney Swans)
86. Geelong (FS) - Jed Bews (Geelong Falcons/Leopold)

ROUND SIX
87. GWS Giants - James McDonald (Old Xaverians/Waubra)
88. Gold Coast Suns (LT) - Alex Sexton (Redland/Springwood)
89. Adelaide (PR) - Aiden Riley (Adelaide)

ROUND SEVEN
90. GWS Giants - Pass
91. Gold Coast Suns (LT) - Jackson Allen (Morningside/Kenmore)

ROUND EIGHT
92. GWS Giants - Pass
93. GWS Giants - Pass
94. GWS Giants - Pass
95. GWS Giants - Pass
96. GWS Giants - Pass

PR - Promoted Rookie
FS - Father Son Selection
LT - Local Talent Selection
SP - Scholarship Promotio kangaroos.com.au

http://www.kangaroos.com.au/latestne...4/default.aspx

Tom Curran Highlights.

Brad McKenzie Highlights

North Melbourne launch their Membership Campaign

North Melbourne have advised that they have launched their membership campaign. Their new slogan is Spirit One and All. It's talking about what the Shinboner Spirit is and what it does to many people.
It's awesome.

This is my take on what the hell Shinboner Spirit is.
I went to the family day last year for my very first time. As I walked to the Arden Street oval from the train station, it hit me. I didn't know what it was at first but once it had hit me, it was awesome.
What was it?
It was the Shinboner Spirit that had hit me with full force. It meant that I had definately found the right footy team for me to barrack for.
Yep and now I know what it is. Shinboner Spirit is an auroa that you can't see but you can feel it. You know that it's there as you can smell it and sense it. It hits every North Melbourne fan like it's nobody's business when they go to the footy and watch North Melbourne play.
It's like when you want something but you can't get enough of it. It's like an addiction that you just can't get over.

North Melbourne's Family Day Information

News Just In:
North Melbourne would like to announce that their family day is going to be on 10th December 2011 at Aegis Park (Arden Street for those who are old skewl).
It's on from 11am until 2pm
It's something you definately don't want to miss.

North Melbourne's Finals Chances in 2012 vs The negativity

North Melbourne think that they will make the finals in 2012. Many opposition fans think that they will make bottom 8. To those of you who do say that I would love to see your reaction when North Melbourne do finish in the finals in 2012.
I will say our draw is way better than what Collingwood's and Hawthorn's draws. They have to face eachother and then Hawthorn play Geelong round two.
Sure North have to play Geelong in round 3. Playing the reigning premiers at Etihad Stadium is going to be awesome. It will be the chance for North to beat Geelong.
North Melbourne are going to be one of the better teams in the AFL. If you don't believe me now you will never believe me in the future even if you are North Melbourne supporter.

The Haters
There are many of you. I noticed that many of you have it in for North Melbourne and their supporters. Oh sure we have some talented youngsters who are better than who's on your list. But seriously you people need to build a bridge and get over yourselves. North Melbourne have had to put up with people giving them so much stick over the years that it's now becoming old and it's getting to the point that we think that it's about time you haters grew up. Your answers have resembled something that little preppie school kids would say.

The Fairweather Fans
The fans that I hate are the ones that knock their own team who are always writing off North Melbourne players. I can't stand these sourpuss fans. I kind of wish they weren't even fans of the mighty North Melbourne Football Club. These so called fans write off all players all because the fans have a grudge against these players. Always calling them names like "Spud". When in reality these so called fans are imbeciles who need to grow a set and move on. These fans say that they are members but really they shouldn't be allowed to have a membership because they are way too negative. 
These imbeciles also are negative towards other fans of the same team and are only there to abuse and hurt these positive fans.
As a North Melbourne member I don't want to see the club get run over by these fairweather fans.
North Melbourne love the positivity and hate the negativity.

North Melbourne's Pranks and Mind Games

When I woke up this morning I receieved a very odd text message that was cryptic. It basically said check out this halloween prank. Trick or treat?
I thought that the guy who sent the message to me didn't believe in Halloween but yeah I had a look at the roos website and realised that the pranks were played by the North Melbourne coaching staff on the playing group.
They were also playing a fair few mind games to mentally challenge the players as well. Just to see if they were getting smarter and learning anything.
I am going to play a few mind games of my own here on a few people who deserve to have this done to them. (don't worry I won't be airing my dirty laundry on these people on here just playing mind games on them.)
I am going to ask you this. Do you know what a Brazilian Run is?
Do you know what a teepee is?

DO you know what moose, rattlesnakes, and cougars are?

For all of those people who think that moose is something you eat, and that rattlesnakes are lollies, and cougars are hot women. You are wrong. They are native wildlife and reptiles over in Utah in the forest.

What I have just posted up is some footage of where the boys are currently doing their altitude training.

More news from Utah

North Melbourne have advised me that there have been some really tough sessions that the players and staff have been put through over in Utah.
So tough that many of you nay sayers wouldn't even be able to take part in. Those of you who are making stupid comments on the limbo club website about my blog get a life.
Comments like http://www.limboclub.com/forum/showpost.php?p=553695&postcount=116 are just not on when you know that I am giving you guys updates.

Finally got that off my chest. I hate the bullshit artists who decide to make unnecessary comments about my blogs when I know that I am giving updates to many people who want to know what's going on.

North Melbourne advised me this afternoon that Channel 10 News Melbourne have arrived in Utah and will be giving some awesome updates during their news. Everyone who is a North Melbourne fan should watch the channel ten news this week.

North Melbourne players have been on hikes that have taken them 5 hours, 7 hours and 3 hours long. They have also had a boxing session where there were some footage put up of Levi Greenwood vs Scott McMahon

This video is of Scott McMahon getting an unlucky low blow by Matt Campbell. I did hear that Scott McMahon played a joke on Matt back at the hotel all because of him getting hit in the nuts.

Funny goss from Utah

Those of you who know me well enough know for a fact that I love reading the stuff on twitter and facebook and the like. What amused me and made me a tad concerned was finding out through twitter about two of the North Melbourne staff getting bailed up by two angry moose literally the size of Black Caviar on a jog.
I won't name names but these two fellas are known to go on their jogs to various places at weird times of the day. So when I found out about these two getting bailed up by two moose the tweet made me laugh. But then I became a little concerned when I found out who these two guys were. (trust me guys you won't be named on here)
I ended up getting a few surprising text messages telling me who these two people were.
Then I found out this morning that the fellas had to put up with below zero temperatures on their 7 hour hike. They had snow and icy conditions. I just hope that they can thaw out in their hotel rooms.
If you want to talk about the boys and their trip, please you are welcome to join my forum and post on there.
http://www.aussiefooty.net/forum/forum/showthread.php?45-North-Melbourne-in-Utah&goto=newpost
Look under North Melbourne in Utah.
If you are on twitter, don't be shy, join in the conversations the fellas are having by using the special hashtag of #utahroos

AFL Fixture Leaks

When I woke up this morning I read on twitter to find out that North Melbourne will be playing against Essendon in the opening round of the 2012 season. That's awesome news for all of us supporters. I remember when I was younger hearing former Essendon Coach Kevin Sheedy label us soft like marshmallows.
I reckon the bombers are going to be in for a hammering come round 1.
Let the jokes begin.
I remember back in 2010 many of us on twitter came up with a few Marshmallow jokes directed at Essendon Footy Club and it's members. I remember having a laugh as it was really funny to read. Very entertaining indeed.

This isn't the Marshmallow game but the comments were just as funny. I even remember in one of the games all the North Melbourne supporters threw marshmallows at the Essendon players on the field. Very funny stuff.

North Melbourne are In Utah

On Friday North melbourne flew to Utah. They have arrived safe and well but tired from jetlag. They are over there for altitude training. They are over there for 14 days as a part of their preseason training.
North Melbourne would like to make the finals in season 2012. To do this they have had to copy Collingwood's idea of having altitude training over in the states. Collingwood have only just arrived home from Arizona. North as I mentioned have only just arrived in Utah for their altitude training.
I reckon the mighty roos will make the 8 next season.

North Melbourne's made more changes to it's list

I was lucky enough to be able to read the article that North Melbourne had posted up on their website yesterday. It alerted me to more changes to it's list. This is great for the team because we can bring in more youth to our list.
It will help us build for an exciting future. We have got the right man coaching our team and he wants the right players playing for North Melbourne footy club. Sure there are going to be some disappointed fans of Daniel Pratt, Ed Lower, Brayden Norris, Matthew Scott, Marcus White, Brady Rawlings, Gavin Urqhart and Ben Ross out there. But you have to realise this when a coach makes the call to cull a few of his players who could be playing on our list but can't for some reason whether it's through injuries, illness or form, you must realise that he's done it due to attitude and perhaps some other reason. Don't get me wrong here but if you see a young kid who is wearing one of these guys numbers in a North Melbourne guernsey get around them and show some support. They might just be your new favourite players.
Also as our club is rebuilding for the future you will see a lot of errors from the young guys who in your minds are superstars but to the coach and the board and the playing group they are a bunch of young guys trying to find their feet and haven't gelled with the other players yet.
Some of these players are guns. Some of them are legends and some of them are going to be awesome in the future but are working their backsides off playing games of AFL footy. My point is give these youngsters some time to develop into the side before labelling them superstars. Give them the total support and don't be afraid to get down to training when it resumes and give the new guys along with everyone some encouragement.
Forget about jumping on twitter and facebook and any other online forum to bag out the players that made a few errors. Go down to Aegis Park and speak to the players and the coach about what it is you think is the problem.

Rumours about players, clubs in Tradeweek

I will be honest here. When it comes to all rumours that are floating about, I don't believe every one of them. Why? Because I am not a gulliable person. I trust only what the club or player does more than what I do with the journos.
There are some journos out there that are fantastic. Some that aren't so great. Not going to name names because I don't want to get into trouble but there was an article in the Adelaide Advertiser during the 2009 tradeweek period basically saying Exclusive: Campbell Brown of Hawthorn to be Traded to Port Adelaide.

Of course it had everyone saying that it was going to happen all except Alastair Clarkson and Campbell Brown who came out and said that the article was complete rubbish and that the journo had no credibility whatsoever.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/port-adelaides-mark-williams-driving-campbell-brown-deal/story-e6frf9jf-1225783738449
It's the same with the Addam Maric and Jason Gram so called deals. North Melbourne don't need these sorts of players. The club however, did discuss Maric with everyone else, but in the end the club came out and said "no deal".

Sure the club had a look at both players but in the end decided that they both wouldn't fit into the teams plans.


http://www.kangaroos.com.au/latestnews/newsarticle/tabid/4912/newsid/125082/default.aspx

I remember meeting Glenn McGrath in October 2009 at a McGrath Foundation Spring Racing function at Etihad Stadium's Victory Room.
I had asked him that I read a lot of articles about him from many sources and didn't know which one to believe. He came out and said don't believe everything you read, hear or see. That's the best lot of advice I have been given.
Trust the clubs and the players and the sports stars but please don't go believing every little bit of information that you hear on the radio or see on fox sports news or read in the papers or on internet forums. Not all of it is going to be true.
I remember reading something on bigfooty about one of the north melbourne players being delisted. It was a rumour started by some bored kid. In the end I had to check with the club to see if it was credible information.
The next thing we heard that the player was delisted.

A few years ago Terry Wallace from Richmond was going to be sacked. There was a rumour floating about him all over the papers. In the end they were all wrong
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/aussie-rules/wallace-sacked-by-richmond-report-20090519-bdf8.html


Journos do get things wrong. That's ok if they do. But if they go to the point of making the story up they can get into a fair amount of trouble.
Best thing to do is read it but don't get caught up in the whole thing. Rumours are spread by bored people sitting at home without anything to do. So they ring up the radio station and tell everyone their rumours. Most of them have got no source so you can't believe everything you hear, read or see.

Rumours going around North Melbourne

Kind of wishing that the journos would stop spreading false rumours about North Melbourne players and also stop making up crap saying that we want players who are slow and who are rubbish.
Brad Scott was fuming about the rumours going around about Jason Gram who is being offloaded by the saints. Gram's a liability, something that we don't want. He's too old. We are going with youth.
North Melbourne have also said that Hamish Mcintosh is off the table. Not up for trade. So for you journos who are spreading rumours, please get your info right first.
You are causing a lot of arguments around North Melbourne. As I said the coach is pissed off at what's being said, many fans of these players are pissed off at those who are spreading the bullshit rumours about players who they hate.
I was on one of the forums and there was an Essendon supporter bagging the crap out of North Melbourne about them hanging on to Hamish Mcintosh.
I had to find out what their stance was which I totally agree with. They published an article up on their site and I had a read of and posted it up on the online forum that I was reading.
Some North Melbourne fans think that our young players are "spuds" when they don't understand that they are only youngsters and are learning the game. So don't be so harsh on our players.
I am sure Brad Scott and the rest of the North Melbourne footy club would totally agree with me.
North Melbourne are rebuilding and there are going to be times where our team is going to look bad because of a bad loss. However, think of it as this if you were up against your favourite player of all time, you would be overwhelmed and intimidated as well. That's what it feels like for those young players who aren't ready for AFL yet but have had to play in the senior team because of injuries and form problems. Let them find their feet.

Trading places

Had a read of an interesting article on the North Melbourne website this morning.
There are already a few confirmed picks that have been snapped up by Carlton, Geelong and Sydney all using f/s as their excuse.
Tom Mitchell (son of Barry Mitchell) is off to Sydney
Jed Bews (son of Andrew Bews) is off to Geelong
Dylan Buckley (son of Jim Buckley) is off to Carlton.

Interesting to see these confirmed already.
I will update you guys on any other trades that happen later in the day.

Trade Week starts Monday

My plan is to give you guys the updates on who gets who in trade week. It's that time of year that's called the AFL's Silly Season so anything will happen. Don't rule out anything. Sure there are going to be some ridiculous rumours go around but don't get caught up in them all. Many people don't have a clue about what it is they are saying. So just wait and see what the clubs all say and if they all agree on what happens.
It's going to be a sad time where we say goodbye to some players who mightn't even play again at all.

Congratulations to Daniel Wells and Andrew Swallow

The North Melbourne footy club had their club's best and fairest count last night. It's known as the Syd Barker medal who was a former North Melbourne player when they first joined the competition back in 1925.
In front of 830 people at Crown, and over 3000 North Melbourne fans online we all witnessed a really special night.
We saw both Daniel Wells and Andrew Swallow tie for first place (they both got a Syd Barker medal)
Wellsy we all know has had a totally awesome season which ended through injury and just after his shoulder operation he had developed two blood clots on both of his lungs. He could have passed away it was that serious. However, he had an awesome season proving his haters wrong.
Andrew Swallow is a freak of a man. He just does those awesome things that you don't expect of him to do. He's North Melbourne's version of Geelong's Stevie Johnson. So talented, quick and awesome to watch. I guess that's why I have Andrew Swallow's number on the back of my North Melbourne jumper. I just love watching the guy play footy. He's always an exciting player to watch play footy.
He's a really nice bloke too. As is Wellsy.

(thanks to North Melbourne Footy Club for allowing me to use their videos)

The Dark Side of Barracking for an AFL Team

I don't like to sound totally negative but there is a side we have to deal with here and that's the dark side where all the fans from other teams or even my own team start attacking others all because they don't like their opinions.
I absolutely hate fareweather fans. If you are a fareweather fan who just want to get stuck into people about ANY club please stop and think about growing up.
Clubs don't like the ongoing negativity. It's a pet hate of theirs, especially when it involves the coaches copping a lot of heat from the media all because the team underperformed.
Everything that I post up on here, twitter and facebook has to remain positive. So if you want to personally attack me please don't as I will be reporting you to facebook, twitter or anywhere else.
I am lucky that I barrack for North Melbourne. They are a team that will back me up 100% when something bad happens. They also love all things positive.
When North lost to Collingwood by 117 points, North Melbourne Coach Brad Scott was getting a lot of heat that he couldn't handle. Something that really disappoints me because it makes me think negative thoughts about the journos who wrote the articles and made comments to him made me angry. Journos need to keep in mind that senior coach's have feelings and they are human. So if all you are planning to do is to bag them out watch what you say.
The same goes with any of the fareweather fans. If you even think about giving Senior Coach Brad Scott any heat I can garantee you will be gone.
I would rather all North Melbourne supporters show Brad Scott and the team a bucketload of respect rather than the constant crap he and the club gets.
I have always held Brad Scott in the highest regard and have showed him the respect that he deserves which is a bucketload of respect.
He managed to sign me up as a North Melbourne member just after he was appointed coach of the team. He wants the support and the loyalty and all the love and respect he can get. So don't waste your time giving Brad a hard time.

North Melbourne's Syd Barker Medal is on Wednesday

I am going to let everyone know who is a North Melbourne fan to make sure that you are available to either a) go to the Syd Barker Medal count/presentation night or b) watch it online via the north melbourne website.
The count is on this Wednesday night (5th October 2011) and the club doesn't want anyone to miss it.
How do I know this?
The club emailed me letting me know this. Then I tweeted all about it about a minute after they had told me.
The count starts at 7pm and it should be an awesome night. So keep an eye on the north melbourne website as the time comes. http://www.kangaroos.com.au
It's going to be the best night in North Melbourne's history.

Congratulations to Geelong Footy club 2011 Premiers

Geelong Footy club managed to beat collingwood footy club by 38 points. It was a ripper of a game and close right up to 3/4 time.
Geelong then took the lead and won the game by 38 points.
I was at my parents place watching the game and was taking down the scores on paper whilst the guys were kicking goals and points.
Wow well done to the Geelong Footy Club.
As a North Melbourne fan I am proud of my team's coach Brad Scott as his identical twin brother who is the Geelong Coach, Chris Scott won the game for the cats by coaching so well. I am absolutely over the moon at both the twins coaching at senior level. They have just proven to everyone that they are guys who shouldn't be messed with.
Then directly after the game Mick Malthouse (who was coaching Collingwood) dropped a bomb on all of us, telling us that he's not going to be at Collingwood footy club at all next year due to his media commitments.
Fantastic way to bow out of the game. I am sure Mick will be mentoring a current coach somewhere but not on a full time basis.

Where will Jack Gunston play for in 2012?

Jack Gunston who played with the Adelaide crows this year wants to play for a victorian club. There are rumours going around that he's stated where he wants to go but I actually haven't seen any articles or anything about it.
So I am going to ask this question: Where do you think he will play for in 2012?
Give us your thoughts.
All I know is that North melbourne, Hawthorn and Essendon are after him. Do you think he will line up for either of those clubs or somewhere else?

All about the umpires

Hey don't get me wrong here but we definately need umpires to umpire all games of footy. I say this because it takes a lot of guts to go and umpire a game of footy.
With that out of the way, the umpires for the Grand Final have been chosen. I know many people will be happy because their favourite umpire Ray Chamberlain isn't one of them.
Congratulations go out to Chris Donlon (making his grand final debut), Shaun Ryan and Brett Rosebury, with Matt Stevic as emergency.
I am not going to say this again but for those of you who don't umpire and don't know the rules and want to help out in a way consider joining your local umpiring association to learn the rules and to learn how to umpire. You will find that it takes a lot of practice before you get the rewards that you want.

Congratulations to Andrew Swallow

Andrew Swallow is my favourite player from North Melbourne and I am so proud of him as he plays some awesome footy and does some freakish things out there on the footy field. I think some of the AFL umpires feel the same way.
Andrew Swallow racked up 16 votes in the 2011 Brownlow Medal which was held on Monday night. That's the highest amount of votes for North Melbourne.

Top vote-winners

16. Andrew Swallow
11. Drew Petrie
8. Brent Harvey
6. Brady Rawlings, Todd Goldstein
5. Daniel Wells
4. Jack Ziebell, Leigh Adams
2. Ryan Bastinac
1. Aaron Edwards, Scott Thompson, Levi Greenwood, Matt Campbell

Round 24
3. Brent Harvey (North)
2. Robin Nahas (Richmond)
1. Dustin Martin (Richmond)

Round 23

3. Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda)
2. Nick Dal Santo (St Kilda)
1. Brendan Goddard (St Kilda)

Round 22
3. Andrew Swallow (North)
2. Leigh Adams (North)
1. Todd Goldstein (North)

Round 21
Bye

Round 20
3. Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn)
2. Luke Hodge (Hawthorn)
1. Matt Campbell (North)

Round 19
3. Bryce Gibbs (Carlton)
2. Andrew Swallow (North)
1. Chris Judd (Carlton)

Round 18
3. Drew Petrie (North)
2. Ryan Bastinac (North)
1. Simon Black (Brisbane)

Round 17
3. Jack Ziebell (North)
2. Daniel Wells (North)
1. Drew Petrie (North)

Round 16
3. Dane Swan (Collingwood)
2. Leon Davis (Collingwood)
1. Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood)

Round 15
3. Nick Dal Santo (St Kilda)
2. Brady Rawlings (North)
1. Jack Steven (St Kilda)

Round 14
3. Drew Petrie (North)
2. Todd Goldstein (North)
1. Levi Greenwood (North)

Round 13
3. Brady Rawlings (North)
2. Brent Harvey (North)
1. Jobe Watson (Essendon)

Round 12
3. Daniel Wells (North)
2. Gary Ablett (Gold Coast)
1. Drew Petrie (North)

Round 11
3. Andrew Swallow (North)
2. Drew Petrie (North)
1. Jack Ziebell (North)

Round 10
3. Tadhg Kennelly (Sydney)
2. Andrew Swallow (North)
1. Scott Thompson (North)

Round 9

3. Jonathan Brown (Brisbane)
2. Andrew Swallow (North)
1. Simon Black (Brisbane)

Round 83. Todd Goldstein (North)
2. Andrew Swallow (North)
1. Aaron Edwards (North)

Round 7
3. Joel Selwood (Geelong)
2. Matthew Stokes (Geelong)
1. James Kelly (Geelong)

Round 6

3. Brent Harvey (North)
2. Andrew Swallow (North)
1. Brady Rawlings (North)

Round 5

3. Dustin Martin (Richmond)
2. Trent Cotchin (Richmond)
1. Drew Petrie (North)

Round 4

3. Hayden Ballantyne (Frem)
2. Aaron Sandilands (Frem)
1. Matthew Pavlich (Frem)

Round 3 Bye

Round 2

3. Dane Swan (Coll)
2. Scott Pendlebury (Coll)
1. Harry O'Brien (Coll)

Round 1:
3. Dean Cox (WCE)
2. Leigh Adams (North)
1. Luke Shuey (WCE)

kangaroos.com.au

Thanks to North Melbourne Footy Club for allowing me to publish their votes on my blog.
I think North Melbourne have got an awesome footballer who can win a brownlow medal in the next few years.

The Banter

Gotta love all the banter that's been flying around the place this week. Every Collingwood supporter bagging the shit out of Geelong and Geelong supporters bagging the shit out of the pies fans.
It's very funny to see.

@CatsInsider Geelong Cats

“@cameronbest: There goes Jesse Hogan's chances of joining the MRP. @catsinsider #catseatbirds” haha

Saw some others around as well. A few people are going to cop it especially over the weekend.
Who am I tipping?
I will be tipping Geelong to bring home the flag. I have a huge dislike for Collingwood. I think they suck.

I have got a joke for you.

What has the IQ of 180? 180 pies fans with the IQ of 1

The Brownlow Medal

Who do you think will win the Brownlow Medal?
The count is on tomorrow night. I personally reckon it will be a 3 way tie between Chris Judd, Adam Goodes and my smokey Andrew Swallow.
Sure many of you are going to say that Andrew Swallow won't get up there but mind you none of you have personally watched a lot of North Melbourne games. I have watched all of the matches. I watch all games of footy so I know what I am talking about.
Many of you who want to write off some up and coming stars might make you get egg all over your face.
I would love to know who your thoughts are on who will win it and why.

VFL Grand Final Williamstown vs Port Melbourne

I am going to be watching the VFL grand final on ABC 1 at 2:10pm today.
I have tipped Williamstown to totally own Port Melbourne who are unbeaten. I reckon Port Melbourne's cocky winning streak will come to an end in today's grand final.
I am going to enjoy watching the game and helping North Melbourne finding some potential new talent for our team.
There will be some awesome stars playing in this grand final. So we will be looking.

Grand Final Week

Gotta love this time of year!
I love Grand Final Week as it starts off with the Brownlow Medal on the Monday Night.
Then you have everything leading up to the Grand Final Day celebrations.
This year the Grand Final is between Collingwood and Geelong. I am personally hoping that Geelong win as it would suit their coach who is one awesome dude.
Just gotta hope that it's not such a one-sided game. I reckon Geelong will win it. But those of you out there who do you think will win it?

Who will North Melbourne recruit?

Now that the footy season has come to an end for most AFL clubs, I would like to know your thoughts on who North Melbourne will recruit in the draft this year?
The trade period starts directly after the Grand Final. (on the Monday) Then it goes for a week.
So who do you guys want in the team?
North Melbourne may have a look at what I am posting up on here. I would love to see your thoughts.
North Melbourne should recruit? and why?
Let me know.
I know we need a tall defender along with a couple of other awesome midfielders.
If North Melbourne look to recruit Travis Tuck from Werribee, would that make you guys happy?

The Preliminary Finals

Ok this is the big one.
4 teams left in the finals. Only 2 of them can make the Grand Final.
My tip for the Grand Final is Collingwood vs Geelong with the Cats coming out and thrashing the pants off the pies.
Many people don't like Collingwood and I am one of those people. But if they are playing in finals good on them yeah I will tip them.

What are your tips on the two games.

My views on the 2011 AFL Finals Series

I really think that this year's finals series is going to be a real ripping one.
We saw the first 4 finals for week 1 and all of the sides that were strong enough made it through to the next week. All except for ST Kilda and Essendon. There are now 6 teams left in the finals series.
Geelong and Collingwood have got the weekend off but both will play the winners of the Hawthorn vs Sydney semi and the West Coast vs Carlton Semi, in the preliminary finals.

We could find ourselves a ripper of a grand final.