North Melbourne young guns Luke Davies-Uniacke, Jy Simpkin and Tarryn Thomas ready to blossom
Desperation so often manifests into unfair expectations but North Melbourne’s generation next wants to form the bedrock of the Shinboners’ next premiership.
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Desperation so often manifests into unfair expectations.
For high draft picks, like North Melbourne’s generation next, Luke Davies-Uniacke (2017, pick 4), Tarryn Thomas (2018, pick 8) and Jy Simpkin (2016, pick 12), there is no bigger expectation in sport than walking into a club on a 20-year premiership drought.
But the precocious trio, just babies or not thought of yet, when Kangaroos legends Wayne Carey and Denis Pagan held aloft the 1999 premiership cup, has taken important strides.
Recent uncertainty at Arden Street had the potential to unsettle the young Roos, including Rising Star nominee Cameron Zurhaar and Nick Larkey, but for the do-as-we-do leadership of Brad Scott disciples Jack Ziebell, Ben Cunnington, Robbie Tarrant, Todd Goldstein, Shaun Higgins, Scott Thompson and Jamie Macmillan.
Instead, galvanised the baby Shinboners.
“It definitely is the mojo around the club, everyone feeding off each other,” Davies-Uniacke said.
By his own admission Davies-Uniacke struggled to find his feet last year, unable to replicate the TAC Cup form that ignited comparisons to Bulldogs premiership star Marcus Bontempelli.
Even if he could, birthday boy, Davies-Uniacke, 20 on Saturday, wouldn’t scrap his VFL coming-of-age.
“If someone was to ask me if I could change it I probably wouldn’t because I learned so much about AFL patterns and everything else, alongside role models in Higgo and Cunners,” Davies-Uniacke said.
“Just feeding off them and getting myself right before I’m elevated to the AFL and I’ve found myself in a good position now.”
Davies-Uniacke returns to Metricon Stadium — first trip back since Round 1 debut last year in torrential conditions — far more prepared to let instincts shine.
It is, after all, what caretaker coach Rhyce Shaw, who “loves being one of the boys”, ordered.
“Shawry basically said go out there and back myself, just do what I do,” Davies-Uniacke said.
“It’s a good change not having to worry too much and just (play) a little bit on instincts.
“I probably just worried (previously) too much about where I needed to be and got caught up a bit in my head.”
Like Davies-Uniacke, hard nut Simpkin has also revelled moving into the midfield rotation.
Simpkin has collected 20+ disposals eight times in 45 games, including four of the past five.
The small forward, with the sweetest of sidesteps, is ferocious at the contest along with Jed Anderson and Zurhaar.
It says a lot about the new breed that barnstorming Zurhaar’s 11 tackles last week has resonated more at Arden St than the five goals he kicked to get a Rising Star nomination early in the season.
“The goals and stuff are great, but if he can bring his tackles and do what he does like that every week, that’s the stuff we need from him,” Simpkin said.
“The goals and all the other fancy stuff will come with it.”
Like the young coach, the Roos, too, have everything to gain from the next 11 games — if not more.
ARDEN STREET ANGLERS STAY TIGHT-LIPPED
JY Simpkin is careful not to give too much away when asked about the Arden Street Anglers.
Like any good fisherman hot spots are secret for a reason.
What we did learn, however, is this:
Ben Cunnington, the ASA “skipper”, can fish — and, owns the biggest boat.
Jed Anderson “reckons” he can.
And, if comments on the Insta-famous ASA page are anything to go by, Simpkin just breaks rods.
“Jed reckons he’s the best fisherman here but he’s been struggling to catch a fish,” Simpkin quipped with Anderson conveniently within ear shot at Arden Street.
“(Cunnington) is the best fisherman here but he keeps his tips to himself.
“He doesn’t want anyone else knowing where he goes or what he does, he’s a pretty secretive man when it comes to his fishing.”
Jack Ziebell and Paul Ahern also partakes in the group’s regular fishing trips, designed to clear the head and “escape” footy.
From tuna to river trout, or gummy sharks and giant squid, if it can be caught on a hook the Anglers want a piece of the action.
And, it makes for good banter and artsy clips for the gram, even for the elusive Cunnington, who recently dived into an ice bath just to avoid giving journalists an interview.
“We get out on the boat and in the rivers,” Simpkin said.
“We do a bit of research ourselves and find out where the fish are biting, pretty much just where everyone else goes we just go out there.”
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