Kangaroos line coaches Brendan Whitecross, Jared Rivers left out in cold by North Melbourne
North Melbourne hit the training track for the first time in months with two notable absentees — forwards coach Brendan Whitecross and defensive coach Jared Rivers. Jon Ralph on why they aren’t part of the AFL cap of 25 club staff.
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North Melbourne is adamant its decision not to include line coaches Jared Rivers and Brendan Whitecross in the head count of 25 is based around its long list of coaches at the club.
The Kangaroos raised eyebrows when forwards coach Whitecross and defensive coach Rivers were not on the training track with head coach Rhyce Shaw’s team on Monday, with the pair stood down on JobKeeper wages.
VFL coach David Loader is also stood down given the AFL clubs will not play in the VFL this year.
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But, while the Roos have invested heavily in their medical program, the club believes it is still well-resourced in coaching.
Under senior coach Rhyce Shaw, the club’s head of development Gavin Brown and senior assistant Jade Rawlings will take on more day-to-day and tactical coaching alongside midfield coach Jarred Moore.
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Development coaches Heath Scotland and Leigh Adams are inside the group of 24 football department figures and a mandatory compliance officer.
Development and goalkicking coach Brent Harvey is also in the group of 25 but has a part-time role at the club working three days a week.
The Roos believe he could also fulfil an important role taking part in scratch matches against players who are not selected in the AFL team.
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The league has told players it will work towards sanctioning official practice matches between AFL sides but clubs will also play match simulation to keep depth players fit.
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley told the Herald Sun on Sunday the club might still alter with its group of coaches before Round 2 but the coaching group was largely intact.
He said clubs could alter the balance of their 25 staff in between the training period and Round 2 onwards.
Originally published as Kangaroos line coaches Brendan Whitecross, Jared Rivers left out in cold by North Melbourne