Veteran Roo’s fond Hobart memories as final siren looms
The final siren will blow on North Melbourne’s partnership with Tasmania after Sunday’s clash with Richmond in Hobart. A veteran Roo reflects on the highlights of the journey.
There will be a tinge of sadness for North Melbourne and its Tasmanian supporters when the final siren sounds on Sunday’s game against Richmond.
It’s a moment which will mark the end of a longstanding partnership between the Roos and the state which dates to 2012.
North have played at least two homes game in Hobart since then but won’t renew their deal with the state government beyond this season.
Experienced defender Luke McDonald is one of those to have enjoyed most of the club’s time on the Apple Isle.
Ninja Stadium as it is now known is the venue where he has played the second most games in his career, only behind the club’s home ground in Melbourne, Marvel Stadium.
Speaking to this masthead as he prepares to watch on from the sidelines due to injury, McDonald reflected on what has been an enjoyable ride.
“We just love coming to Hobart,” he said.
“We’ve just been treated so well just by number one the people of Tasmania. When we go do school clinics, everywhere where we’ve gone, even when we’ve played games in the pre-season.
“Because we’ve done it so many times, you just become comfortable down there. You just knew what to expect.”
McDonald likens Hobart to a second home with many family and friends often making the trips from Victoria.
The 30-year-old’s career include 29 Hobart games including 12 wins, 16 losses and a draw. During the times he’s come south, McDonald and his fellow Kangaroos have often found a pre-game routine.
A stop at Pilgrim Coffee for a morning pick me up is always a mist, sometimes there’s been time for breakfast.
“We always stay at the Woolstore, their hospitality has been outstanding,” he said.
“A stop at the market is something the boys have always done.”
The home away from home became somewhat of a mini-fortress for the Roos in the early years. After one win and one loss in 2012, the Roos went on a winning run from Round 3, 2013 to Round 22, 2016 when they were eventually beaten by Sydney.
“In my first five years it was such an advantage for us because for some reason there always such a strong wind,” McDonald said.
“I reckon the last five years we’ve played there it’s been pristine, unbelievable weather.
“That advantage diminished a little bit but especially early days we would just never lose in Tassie.”
Now the Roos are aiming to finish this chapter in their history, a year when their celebrating 100 as a club, on a high.
MCDONALD’S FAVOURITE GAMES
Round 3, 2016 v Melbourne — NM 21.10 (136) def. Melb 20.11 (131)
“It was just one of those awesome games to be apart of,” McDonald declared. The Roos booted 8.2 to 2.2 in the first term on the back of a strong breeze before the Dees kicked nine goals to two in the second term to lead at halftime. In an old-fashioned shootout, the Roos eventually prevailed as star ruckman Todd Goldstein dominated with five goals as Boomer Harvey kicked six.
Round 11, 2016 v Richmond — NM 18.16 (124) def. Rich 7.12 (54)
It wasn’t close on the scoreboard but the Roos put on a strong display in front of their biggest crowd to date in Hobart with 17,844 in attendance. Harvey kicked four goals while Daniel Wells booted three. Nick Dal Santo had 33 touches.
Round 7, 2017 v Adelaide — NM 22.13 (145) def. Adel 13.8 (86)
At 1-5 and against the red hot ladder leaders, few gave North Melbourne a chance. They made a rampaging start, keeping the Crows scoreless in the first quarter with a 10.4 start to set up a big win. Jarrad Waite fired with six goals. “Jarrad Waite was just on fire. That was when we had Benny Brown as well, having a local boy, it felt like he brought so many local fans to the game. Winning that was special,” McDonald said.
WHY TASSIE TARGET MCKERCHER COMMITTED TO ROOS
North Melbourne gun Colby McKercher insists it was a no-brainer to resist a chance to be an inaugural Devil and re-sign with the Roos, adamant the club is on the right track to turn their fortunes around.
Long touted as an obvious target for Tasmania’s team which enters the AFL in 2028, the 2023 draft’s number two pick never contemplated leaving the Roos in a strong sign of confidence he feels the rebuild is on schedule.
The 20-year-old, who re-signed until the end of 2028 in July, has forged a reputation as a damaging attacking weapon. But he has vowed to work on his contest and defensive game over summer as the club prepares to farewell Tasmania on Sunday.
The Kangaroos will end a 14-year deal to play some home games at Hobart when they take on Richmond in their penultimate game of the season.
Launceston product McKercher has taken his game to another level in his second season averaging nearly 23 touches, and has kicked 12 goals after playing all 21 games.
“It was nice to get it out of the way. There was a lot of speculation about the Tassie team but quite simply I’ve loved my time at the club so far,” McKercher said.
“We’re strongly motivated by getting the club back to competing in finals, and going up the ladder.
“It’s not without its challenges, but I’ve enjoyed the process of that and hopefully in coming years we’ll be playing finals.”
McKercher said the Roos’ recent form, which includes big losses to GWS (54 points), Geelong (101) and Hawthorn (85), has been tough. But he’s been encouraged by previous strong displays, including a draw against defending premiers Brisbane Lions at Hobart in round ten.
“If you’re off by ten per cent in the AFL you’ll get done, especially where we are as a group right now,” he said.
“We were off a few weeks in a row and got taught a lesson by Hawthorn and Geelong, but it’s important not to lose belief in the group.
“We had a really good block through the middle of the year where we were extremely competitive, and were a kick or two away from winning more games. We were doing a lot of work on scenario based stuff to try and get better in those situations.
“The last month we’ve dropped some form and got knocked back a bit, but sometimes it’s easy to forget what happened earlier in the year. It’s important as a club not to lose sight of some of the growth we’ve had this year, even though the wins haven’t come.”
McKercher has spent time in various roles this year, but got his wish of receiving more midfield time.
He has returned to the role he played last season at half-back late in the campaign, but has added scoreboard impact this year.
“I didn’t kick a goal at all last year, but to be able to hit the scoreboard is probably a strength of my game,” he said.
“Hopefully I can get more midfield exposure, and kicking goals is something I was good at through my junior career.
I had some games in the midfield which I really enjoyed, cutting my teeth against some really good contested players which is something in my game I want to work on and will continue to chip away at.
“I’ve had some inconsistency with my contest and defence this year. That’s something I’ll continue to work at. I’ve had some good games where I’ve tackled well and had good defensive efforts, but at the same time I’d like them to be better.
“I’ll put on some size over the off season and hopefully get a bit more exposure in the midfield. That’s something I’ll look at quite closely, and look to improve over summer.
“My first year I had a few injuries which was pretty frustrating, but I felt like I set myself up pretty well over pre season. It’s held me in good stead, but I definitely agree your body gets more used to AFL the second year.
“A lot of stuff is gritting the teeth and getting things done. We look at clips every week of good efforts and people cracking in, and it’s just finding consistency with that. “Especially individually I feel like sometimes I could have been in a better spot defensively, which sometimes gets magnified when your team isn’t performing as well.”
