The Tackle: North Melbourne's Shinboner spirit is dead

UPDATED: HELLO, my name is North Melbourne and I have a problem. Replay live chat.

Andrew Swallow

HELLO, my name is North Melbourne and I have a problem.

Sometimes, the first step is the hardest, but once you take it, the fog lifts and clarity abounds.

It doesn't mean the problem disappears, but it remains a reference point as each and every step is taken to control what too often appears to be the uncontrollable.

North Melbourne is football's alcoholic: Unpredictable, inconsistent, a lifestyle swirling between being the life of the party and the darkened soul who blames everyone but himself.

Of any team in the competition, they are without identity.

They used to be the Shinboners, an intangible quality based around blue-collar work ethic and a never-say-die attitude.

Now in his fourth season as coach, Brad Scott wanted his young team - how long can we call them young? - to build their own identity.

They have failed.

And the Shinboner tag is dead.

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It starts with the coach and filters through to the players.

Scott is not a Ross Lyon.

Within 12 months of Lyon taking over at St Kilda and Fremantle, Lyon had installed a defensive work ethic and strategy which became the clubs' brand.

North Melbourne can be an offensive juggernaut one week, a la against Richmond last week, and the next be opened up like a can of John West's finest, a la against Brisbane, Geelong, Adelaide and Gold Coast.

In those games, the Kangas led by 41 points (Cats), 39 points (Crows), 31 points (Suns) and 33 points (Lions), yet they lost all those games.

Astoundingly, they go from complete control to having periods where they are too easily scored against.

There was a suggestion several years ago, called the "30-point rule", where the game was effectively over when a team got five goals in front.

Maybe four times a year across the competition, that rule was debunked. North has had four of their own this year.

The loss to Brisbane on Saturday night was again galling.

Vast credit to the Lions and coach Michael Voss who have installed strong belief. So much so, that Voss, who had one foot in the coaching grave, has dusted himself off and is primed for a contract extension.

The Lions kicked 13.4 to 7.2 after half-time, including seven in the final quarter.

In the third quarter, Daniel Rich had 12 touches, six contested, six inside 50s, five score involvements and an incredible 424m gained.

Champion Data stats tell us he wasn't applied a serious tag with Swallow, Firrito and Greenwood all spending time in the midfielder.

It is a snapshot of North's inability to shut down mid-match.

Scott is an interesting character.

He speaks with authority and passion, yet his team treats both with contempt.

Maybe Scott's confidence in his players is overblown. Maybe Scott's confidence in his own coaching is overblown.

Before this weekend, they had used the least number of players in the competition - 30 - and they sit 11th on the ladder with a 6-9 win-loss record.

They were dealt a difficult draw - they play three of last year's top four twice and Geelong twice - but at the same time have had a terrible run with injuries.

Against the Lions they suffered a series of injuries, yet this game was also decided by work ethic in the midfield, and a lack of leaders asserting themselves when the game was its hottest.

It's time for Scott to play his list.

He has to make a decision on grand campaigners Michael Firrito and Leigh Adams, who are inconsistent, and should find out if the Delaneys - Luke and Cameron - can cut it, along with Jordan Gysberts, who they recruited this year, and even Kieran Harper, who has fallen off the face of the earth.

And what of Scott himself?

The decision to extend his contract until the end of the 2016 season now appears premature. Because the jury is as much out on him as it is on his team.

LIKES

1. The big four.

There’s arguments aplenty every week about which team has the best midfield. I'm opting for Fremantle. Fyfe, Barlow and Mundy at the coalface, Hill on the run, and Crowley the attack dog. The five of them guided the Dockers to victory yesterday on the back of some astonishing midfield numbers. Crowley aside, the other four racked up 30 clearances against 45 all up for the Eagles. Talk about leaders. At three-quarter time, it was anyone's game. Half-way through the final quarter, the game was over. I liked Ross Lyon after the game when asked by David King who was the inspiration. Lyon didn't name anyone. If it was up to the coach, his best would've read ''team effort''.

2. Daniel Jackson.

Even Jackson might smile at this, but I reckon he might be leading the Tigers best and fairest. If not, we'll settle for a career-best season. As we've said before, Jackson was a consistent ''dislike'' with his temper and loose elbows, but he's turned his career around. Took Gazza after a spell and managed to keep the champ human. The Suns skipper might've been subdued because of injury, but Jackson beat him fair and square.

3. Sam Mayes.

Could've picked half the team, but settled on Mayes. Can you believe this kid has played just 11 games of AFL? When North Melbourne's stars couldn't influence the game, it was Mayes, Daniel Rich, Pearce Hanley, Tom Rockliff and Jack Redden who stood up. Mayes had just 21, but kept presenting himself at the ball. Took a team-high seven marks, had six inside 50s and team-high four score involvements. Am not the first to say it, and won't be the last: This kid is a gun.

4. Isaac Smith.

Reckon it was Smith's best game for the Hawks. Showed he was a footballer who can run, and not a runner who can play a bit of footy. Had to contribute more at the coalface with Brad Sewell out and he responded with a team-high nine tackles and eight marks. Booted three goals as well which surely gets him close to top votes in the best and fairest count. He has pace, we know that, but it was gut running which stood out against Port, especially running into the forward line.

5. Jason Winderlich.

Year after year as Winderlich battled injuries, the Bombers would say they missed his speed and footy nous. I only half believed. His return this year has changed all that. He starts forward where he can mark on the lead and/or play small, and has played as a defender. Yesterday it was forward, where he took 13 marks, laid seven tackles and kicked four goals - one a blinder along the goal line. His gift is speed on the lead and good hands which makes the forward line unpredictable.

6. Steve Johnson.

Incredible day for the Cats champ and no surprise the most gifted best adapt to the wet weather. Thirty-eight touches, which included 24 contested, was sublime despite going at an atrocious 34 per cent efficiency. Liked his 15 clearances and eight tackles, but not liking the debate about him being cited by the MRP. It was not similar to Embley on Stratton because the ball was there and Johnson was trying to get it.

7. Scott Pendlebury.

That might've been the best game he's played for the Magpies. The Crows couldn't get him with a tag (Nathan van Berlo) in the first half - he had 19 possessions - and then he ripped them in the second with another 21 possessions. Throw in eight clearances, eight inside 50s and two goals in the final quarter and it was a master-class from Pendlebury. And that handball to Sinclair, that handball....

8.  Hayes v Judd.

What a pleasant surprise to see two greats oppose each other, and this time it was Chris Judd who came out on top - narrowly. No tags, or run-withs, just two fair, hard-at-it champs going head to head. Lenny Hayes had 28 and nine clearances and Judd 26 and six clearances, but in victory, Judd's touches contributed to more goals.

9. Gary Rohan.

Played his first game in 499 days for the Swans and he was smiling like he was Ronald McDonald. And to think people kicked a up a stink because the AFL outlawed sliding. #greattohavehimback

10. Shane Crawford.

Difficult not to get emotional watching Crawf arrive at Perth on Thursday night. Plenty has been said already, but can't ignore him. He's a mighty, mighty individual.

Honourable mentions: Arnot's attack, Hutchings and his 16 tackles, Marley Williams, Josh Caddy, Libba again, Dale Morris, Dane Rampe again and Chris Judd – best on ground. 

DISLIKES

1. Clay Smith.

Just terrible scenes after the match as the young Bulldog shed tears as his teammates converged. Planted on crutches, we'll find out today if Smith has torn an ACL, but his distress indicates he might be out for nine to 12 months. Can't imagine how he's feeling. He's worked tremendously hard on his fitness and kicking skills to complement his ferocious attitude, but now he has to sit. It's the last thing he and the Bulldogs need.

2. The booing debate.

It's neither here nor there for me, but curious as to why the commentary on the night was so indignant when Jobe Watson was in Perth, yet nonplussed when Stephen Milne was on the receiving end from Carlton fans at Etihad Stadium. The court case will decide if Milne is guilty or not. As for him dealing with that sort of treatment every week, I wish him luck. Asked after the game about Milne's future next year, coach Scott Watters: ''We'll make a joint decision at the end of the year.'' Wouldn't be surprised if Milney pulls the pin before then, not because he can't take it, but perhaps his family can't.

3. Obscure rules.

The decision not to pay advantage to Nathan Hrovat as he kicked a goal in the final quarter confused just about everyone. But not former umpire, Matthew Head. He took to Twitter last night to explain that if a free kick was paid by a non-officiating umpire - the second or third central umpire - then advantage could not be paid. It appears that's what happened with the Hrovat decision whose goal would have got the Dogs within six points with 12 minutes to play. It perplexed everyone else. 'I don't know why the decision was called. I honestly don't," coach Brendan McCartney said.

4. Cloke rules.

The Pies have had a gutful. Coach Nathan Buckley will talk to the AFL this week to seek clarity and vent (his word) after Travis Cloke was again pulled up by the umpires for incorrect manhandling of his opponent. Cloke, and other full-forwards, get the wrong end of the stick week-in-week out. Cloke's problem is strength, which should not be a problem. He is able to keep his feet and out-body his opponent who, because of their weaker power, lose position and tumble out of the contest. Expect to hear more from Buckley later this week.

5. Melbourne.

Just 19 inside 50s in an afternoon made for horror watching, notwithstanding the slush. Thought it might've been an even contest in the conditions, but not to be. Would now like to formally announce Melbourne will not appear in the dislikes again this year, so thanks, it's been displeasure.

6.  GWS.

As Gerard W. keeps telling me, have patience. Have to admit it is wearing. The GWS say the No.1 pick is on the table - although some in the organisation say it's not - and if it is, then senior talent is needed. Despite some promising footy, they are hopelessly outclassed. Yesterday's game against the Swans was a bomb blast - the only winners being SuperCoach teams loaded up with Swans stars.

7. Dropping heads.

Happened a couple of times in the St Kilda-Carlton match and unfortunately the Saints had to cope with the worst of it. In the final quarter, with the Saints in the game, Terry Milera lacked composure waiting for a high pass. He dropped his head as the ball hit his hands - spilled the mark - and then took the verbal heat from Kane Lucas and several Blues. The score was 84-66 and the Saints lost whatever momentum they had.

8. Head hits.

Matthew Pavlich should've known better when he cannoned into Mitch Brown who had his head down and he will be penalised. Andrew Embley was just too reckless with his attack on Clancee Pearce. It was a derby and the game was fierce, but you can't be knocking out players as they attack the ball. Wouldn't say it was as crude as when he deliberately dropped his knees into Hawk Ben Stratton because this one was a split-second decision. Still, he will get weeks. Guess? Three… with his carryover points.

9. Boundary umps.

Loved the goal from Jake Melksham, but it shouldn't have been paid. How could the umpire not see it over? What was he looking at? There's a line and there's a footy and it was over the line by a foot at least, probably nearing two feet.

10. Graeme Swann.

Him, his top button, his raised collars, his friggin’ sunnies ... but, gee, he's a competitor.

TOP TWEETS

@Rommas86: Like - Hutchings with 16 tackles in the Derby Dislike - Embley probably ending his career with another suspension

@ayle_williams:  another great match for hendo! Love him forward and back. Should stay forward but is there depth in defence?

@GordonFargus: Likes: Gary Rohan back. Dislikes: Umpires having different interpretations. Advantage not being paid for Hrovat goal.

@mickballard: Like: Dane Rampe - turned the loss of Marty Mattner into a positive. Dislike: Sewell & Cross not getting a game!!
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@BeccaHayne: Like: Hanleys emergence as a star Dislike: GWS - the Kardashians of the AFL, all talk, no substance

@Bad_motivator: LIKE the bulldogs effort. Gallant and heroic in defeat DISLIKE Aleem Dar

@shoey_khan:  disliked Walters taking a dive once he shanked his kick

@Benno_36: Like: Hawthorns ability to win without Buddy. Dislike: Buddy leavi
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@B1ZK3Z: Dislike: Wingard free kick against Stratton, one of the worst decisions of the year

@littleschmuck: dislike: the reception to Milne, even though I knew it was coming, still disappointing.

@TheDolph76: Like Pearce Hanley, best Irish import, Dislike GWS is now the bye, junk game is a major concern
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@rdyson22: Like: Sam Mayes improving every week, entrenched in best 22 already. Rockliff let loose in the midfield.

@P10Rob: Don't normally whinge about umps but treatment of The Beast @travis32cloke, week in, week out is frustrating.

@fatsalami: People having a go at Broad then when Clark does not walk and wastes our last review nothing is said?

@sammya23 like the Tiges win (relief) dislike the saints, GF 3 years ago now bottom 3 and its just accepted, why aren't they hungry?
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@eggsy_big21: L: freo's last qrt, winning 4 slabs from eagles mates, bragging rights, eliminating eagles sept chances

@scottbrennan13: Just 1 massive dislike for me, Nth losing another game after being in control of it.Things need to change down there

@atrafic: L- Hrovat future All-Australian D- North...again?

@ThePuntingBaron: Like: Isaac Smith answering your challenge to step up in Sewelly's absence! Dislike:Wrong advantage call late in dogs game
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@AnthonyGilberg: dislike: when Essendon win against a bottom side, "they stood up to the challenge" when Richmond do, "ugly win"

@Bow_Wow6: Like - dangerfield playing on after being hurt. Knew what was on the line for the crows and continued to battle it out

@Michael_60: Dislike: After all the warnings and media, the Carlton Cheer Squad still had to start a provocative chant. Clueless tools

@TrevyG82: The constant refusal of Trent Dennis Lane and Terry Milera to put their bodies on the line. Weak. Stealing spots from kids

@JaseWaite: like Lachie Henderson up forward, dislike the hysteria over Carlton fans booing Milne...
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@davidtilley1882: Likes: David Myers, Pearce Hanley, 22 Bulldogs showing heart. Dislikes: Marshmallows from Arden St.

@localluke: like the rev-up the Cats got from the Brisbane loss. Conceded 44, 72 & 30 since then

@tron1118: Fully hate the soft staging that has become almost the norm in our great game, good luck umpires #thatsnotfooty