Mick McGuane’s North Melbourne season review: Honeymoon over but Rhyce Shaw’s relationships key to future success

Rhyce Shaw is a relationship coach who has laid a strong platform for success at North Melbourne, writes Mick McGuane. But with his honeymoon period over, the Roos have greater expectations to meet in 2020.

North Melbourne transformed quickly and claimed several impressive wins under Rhyce Shaw. Picture: AAP Image/Daniel Pockett.

It was of little surprise North Melbourne appointed Rhyce Shaw as its senior coach.

The positive changes in its game and the spark in performances from key individuals in the team were clear to see once he stepped into the chair.

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Before the sacking of Brad Scott, North probably did a lot wrong. It was a high handball team, which liked to run and gun the ball and took every path but the direct one towards its attacking 50.

But Shaw made the necessary adjustments and North became very competitive in the second half of the year with good wins over eventual finalists Richmond, GWS and Collingwood.

North Melbourne transformed quickly and claimed several impressive wins under Rhyce Shaw. Picture: AAP Image/Daniel Pockett.

He seems to have a great ability to build relationships. Even when I was watching training a couple of times this year when he was line coaching, he had a great ability to pull things apart while the players were doing match simulation and communicate and educate. A “fix it now” approach.

The other really important aspect he has brought to the team is “accountability to roles”.

He has clearly realigned the group to make sure each individual is playing a role for the benefit of the team. It’s not about what you want, it’s what the team needs.

Individually, Ben Brown’s performance as a key forward, second in the Coleman Medal with 64 goals, was a great return.

Ben Cunnington will probably win his second Syd Barker Medal.

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The response of Jack Ziebell, after playing mainly as a forward, to go back to where he plays his best footy as captain in the midfield was positive. He led with a lot of spirit and intensity when the coaching shift was made.

Ben Cunnington is the likely Syd Barker medallist after a career best campaign in the middle for North Melbourne.

In the back half of the year, bar the game against Demon Max Gawn, it’s fair to say ruckman Todd Goldstein seemed to get a spring in his step once Shaw was put in charge.

People externally questioned the recruitment of Jasper Pittard, but I think in terms of his ability to zone off, help out, to outnumber and support his teammates down back was a really pleasing attribute that goes under the radar because he might not be getting outright possessions. Internally, he would probably win admiration.

Todd Goldstein was one of the form players in the AFL in the second half of the season.

There were some individuals that had really positive finishes to the year and I reckon it’s on the back of that relationship forming that Shaw has clearly had.

When you have got a good relationship you can tell some home truths to challenge the players to be accountable for the role that they have been asked to play.

But the honeymoon is over now. Shaw has had a settling in period and next year the focus will be on trying to get the Kangas jumping again.

Robbie Tarrant enjoyed another standout, yet understated, year in defence. Picture: Michael Klein.

They play an exciting brand when they get it right with their high tempo footy. It’s exciting, the ball is alive, it’s quick and it suits their personnel.

But I’m not sure if that’s a sustainable brand to play in this fierce competition considering who else is in contention for flags.

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Originally published as Mick McGuane’s North Melbourne season review: Honeymoon over but Rhyce Shaw’s relationships key to future success