Kangaroos boss explains costly interchange infringement

The Kangaroos’ football boss has made a statement to fans explaining the shocking error behind their heartbreaking defeat.

Club interchange stewards talk to AFL officials following North Melbourne’s loss to Sydney at Marvel Stadium. Picture: Michael Klein

North Melbourne football boss Todd Viney says a “perfect storm” of interchange chaos was to blame for the blunder that cost the Kangaroos a breakthrough win over the Swans.

The Roos accidentally breached the interchange cap of 75 rotations when Will Phillips and a cramping Liam Shiels came from the field in the dying moments of Saturday’s match at Marvel Stadium.

Only one rotation remained for the home side but two were made, leading to a free kick and 50m penalty to the Swans which resulted in Hayden McLean kicking the matchwinning goal from point blank range.

Viney said the error on the North Melbourne bench was “really disappointing”, but defended the club’s staff, blaming the issue on a comprehensive breakdown in communication between the bench and the coaches box.

North Melbourne and AFL interchange staff talk after the Kangaroos’ loss to Sydney at Marvel Stadium. Picture: Michael Klein

“Unfortunately there was a perfect storm of things that happened with our interchange process, it’s been well documented and the vision’s been out there for everyone to see,” he said.

“We had two players come to the bench, one was called, one was impromptu – got injured, had to come to the bench.

“At the end of the day our systems didn’t handle that situation, and the communication wasn’t quite right, which resulted in one extra interchange.”

Viney said the Kangaroos were warned when they made their 74th rotation and had one remaining.

AFL interchange stewards warn clubs when they have 10, five and one interchanges left for the match,” he said.

North Melbourne general manager of football Todd Viney said a ‘breakdown in communication’ was responsible for the breach. Picture: Michael Klein

“It’s my understanding that we got the warning that we had one left, so we had that information.

“Unfortunately the communication from bench to box wasn’t quite good enough.”

Viney said all matchday staff had sat down to review the club’s interchange processes, and the Kangaroos would be “better placed to handle that situation” if it re-occurred.

He urged disgruntled Kangaroos supporters not to target club staffers on social media over the error.

“We stick by our people, and it’s not one person at fault at this, there was a breakdown in communication from a number of people and our system wasn’t quite good enough, so we own that and we’ll get better as a club,” Viney said.

“We certainly understand our supporters’ passion … we understand the frustration that we all felt on the day – we wanted a win, we thought we’d done all we could to get that win.”

Originally published as Kangaroos boss explains costly interchange infringement