McGuane: North Melbourne’s mid-season report card simply had to read ‘fail’
After 11 games for the Kangaroos in 2024, they’re still winless. And that’s not even the most damning stat about their year to date. MICK McGUANE doesn’t hold back in his mid-year report card for the royal blue and white.
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After 12 rounds of season 2024, the Roos are still winless and staring down the barrel of the V/AFL’s first winless streak since 1964 and the first of the 22-game era.
Mick McGuane gives his grade for the Roos’ first half of the 2024 season.
MICK’S MID-SEASON REPORT RATING: F
Kangaroos’ fans should be hopping mad.
This winless side gets a big fat ‘Fail’ for its first half of the season, which has been horrendous on almost all fronts.
Across 11 games this season, North Melbourne has mastered its opposition in just six quarters.
Let that sink in for a second.
West Coast and Richmond have both played an extra game, but have won a more respectable 15 quarters apiece.
When it comes to the Kangaroos’ profile, there’s almost nothing going right either defensively or offensively.
They can’t defend the ground and are consequently conceding the most points against in the competition at 118 per game.
Alastair Clarkson’s side also ranks last in points from turnovers differential, defending opposition ball movement and opposition scores per inside-50.
As much as Charlie Comben has been a bit of a revelation with his switch from being a key forward to a key defender, he needs a lot more help.
Aidan Corr is undersized, as is Luke McDonald.
Griffin Logue is closing in on a return after 12 months on the sidelines with an ACL, but there’s still a question mark on whether he will offer up what they need given the footy he’s missed.
The Roos are screaming out for another quality key defender, but they had one in Ben McKay last year who they lost because they couldn’t win games of footy.
Through the midfield, things have been a little better.
The rise of ruckman Tristan Xerri and generally solid performances from Luke Davies-Uniacke and George Wardlaw have helped North Melbourne rank 10th for centre clearance differential.
However, poor ball use and a lack of creativity going forward have been costly at times.
North Melbourne might be inexperienced and lack the talent of other teams, but we saw the intensity and spirit that fellow struggling young team Richmond played with for three quarters in its match against Geelong last week.
Why aren’t the Kangaroos putting up similar performances?
WHAT’S HAPPENED TO ZURHAAR?
There has been plenty of talk about Cameron Zurhaar seeking a big new contract.
While it wouldn’t be easy being a forward at North Melbourne, Zurhaar isn’t delivering what we know he can.
He has averaged just 12.9 disposals, 1.3 goals and 4.3 score involvements this season.
Paul Curtis would be on a far smaller contract, but has outshone Zurhaar so far.
Curtis has had 32 shots on goal from 11 games — impressive for a small forward in a mediocre team — for a scoreboard return of 16.13.
He is also averaging more score involvements (4.7 per game) than Zurhaar, despite playing less game time.
Nick Larkey is not a big contested marking forward and needs some more support in that part of the ground.
While he’s injured now, Callum Coleman-Jones isn’t the answer.
Zurhaar needs to lift and provide another avenue to goal.
WHEN WILL A WIN COME?
The Kangaroos are in desperate need of a circuit-breaking win and they have an opportunity to grab one against West Coast this weekend.
Even though they are on the road, they are capable of getting the job done if they bring a galvanised approach.
The Eagles are vulnerable and are without suspended young star Harley Reid in the midfield this week.
There’s a chance there, but North Melbourne will have to do a lot right.
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