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Perth Now
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Keys to the City of Bunbury open door for Zurhaar mirth
North Melbourne star Cam Zurhaar has become the butt of his team's jokes after being handed the keys to the city by Bunbury following the Kangaroos' 10-point win over West Coast on Sunday. Zurhaar kicked two goals during the final quarter to help the Roos to erase an 18-point deficit and win on a day where they'd sold their home game to play the match at Hands Oval. City of Bunbury Mayor Jaysen Migue is a passionate North Melbourne supporter and attended the team dinner that night. Zurhaar was shocked to be handed the keys to the city. 'It's a bit funny,' Zurhaar said. 'The keys are from 1970 and they open nothing. It's a bit of a laugh. If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. 'It was weird to be honest. We met him last time when we came over for that practice round. It was a funny experience getting the keys. There were so many more boys he could have given it to but he decided to give it to me.' The Kangaroos victory came despite having 22 fewer inside 50s than the Eagles. Zurhaar said it was obvious the team needed to improve on that performance but he took positives from the way they remained in the contest. Zurhaar said former Sydney veteran Luke Parker's effort in the last quarter showed why the Kangaroos targeted him. Parker had 10 possessions and five tackles for the term and his ability to seize the key moments was vital when the game was on the line. North Melbourne added multiple experienced players to their young squad during the off-season with Parker, West Coast's Jack Darling and Western Bulldog Caleb Daniel bolstering the team. Zurhaar said they had provided the group with a calming influence. North Melbourne star Cam Zurhaar. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian 'Just that experience from Luke Parker was massive. He's been in those situations so many times and knows what to do. It was great to have him,' he said. 'Having older players around like Darling, Parker and Caleb Daniel - calm heads. they complement us so well. 'They bring so much. It's so valuable for us. they're three great players for our team.'
The Advertiser
10-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Port missed Rioli in narrow loss to Crows: Hinkley
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley expects forward Willie Rioli to return to action next weekend after a one-game absence for threatening rival players. Rioli missed Port's five-point loss to bitter foes Adelaide in another South Australian Showdown thriller on Saturday night. Rioli had announced he would miss the Crows game before being suspended for one match by the AFL. The goalsneak has been involved in three cases this year of threatening rival players - two during games and one, aimed at Western Bulldog Bailey Dale, on social media post-game. Hinkley mused after Adelaide's 13.10 (89) to 12.12 (84) victory that Rioli "might have been handy tonight". "He'll be fine," Hinkley said. "We'll look after him, we'll make some decisions and make sure he's okay. "Our major focus is to make sure Willie is okay and he has got our care and he always will have." Rioli opted not to attend Adelaide Oval on Saturday night. "He had the choice ... I thought the right option for him was not to be here," Hinkley said. "He just needed some time and I made sure he got that time. "And we will move on and hopefully we can leave all this stuff behind us and we can get on with playing footy." The Power, with four wins and five losses, are in 13th spot and in a logjam of clubs one win outside the top eight. "We have had moments, quarters, halves, that we have been pretty damaging," Hinkley said of the season. "Most teams, I think, would give us a lot of respect when they come up against us because we're capable. "But unless you consistently do it ... you're not going to go on any run." Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley expects forward Willie Rioli to return to action next weekend after a one-game absence for threatening rival players. Rioli missed Port's five-point loss to bitter foes Adelaide in another South Australian Showdown thriller on Saturday night. Rioli had announced he would miss the Crows game before being suspended for one match by the AFL. The goalsneak has been involved in three cases this year of threatening rival players - two during games and one, aimed at Western Bulldog Bailey Dale, on social media post-game. Hinkley mused after Adelaide's 13.10 (89) to 12.12 (84) victory that Rioli "might have been handy tonight". "He'll be fine," Hinkley said. "We'll look after him, we'll make some decisions and make sure he's okay. "Our major focus is to make sure Willie is okay and he has got our care and he always will have." Rioli opted not to attend Adelaide Oval on Saturday night. "He had the choice ... I thought the right option for him was not to be here," Hinkley said. "He just needed some time and I made sure he got that time. "And we will move on and hopefully we can leave all this stuff behind us and we can get on with playing footy." The Power, with four wins and five losses, are in 13th spot and in a logjam of clubs one win outside the top eight. "We have had moments, quarters, halves, that we have been pretty damaging," Hinkley said of the season. "Most teams, I think, would give us a lot of respect when they come up against us because we're capable. "But unless you consistently do it ... you're not going to go on any run." Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley expects forward Willie Rioli to return to action next weekend after a one-game absence for threatening rival players. Rioli missed Port's five-point loss to bitter foes Adelaide in another South Australian Showdown thriller on Saturday night. Rioli had announced he would miss the Crows game before being suspended for one match by the AFL. The goalsneak has been involved in three cases this year of threatening rival players - two during games and one, aimed at Western Bulldog Bailey Dale, on social media post-game. Hinkley mused after Adelaide's 13.10 (89) to 12.12 (84) victory that Rioli "might have been handy tonight". "He'll be fine," Hinkley said. "We'll look after him, we'll make some decisions and make sure he's okay. "Our major focus is to make sure Willie is okay and he has got our care and he always will have." Rioli opted not to attend Adelaide Oval on Saturday night. "He had the choice ... I thought the right option for him was not to be here," Hinkley said. "He just needed some time and I made sure he got that time. "And we will move on and hopefully we can leave all this stuff behind us and we can get on with playing footy." The Power, with four wins and five losses, are in 13th spot and in a logjam of clubs one win outside the top eight. "We have had moments, quarters, halves, that we have been pretty damaging," Hinkley said of the season. "Most teams, I think, would give us a lot of respect when they come up against us because we're capable. "But unless you consistently do it ... you're not going to go on any run."
Perth Now
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
AFL stars ordered to stand down on blatant act of rebellion
Protesting North Melbourne players have been ordered to stand down. Former Sydney Swans champion and Kangaroos recruit Luke Parker led the charge when the tribunal banned his new teammate Paul Curtis for three matches for a dangerous tackle on Port Adelaide's Josh Sinn. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Alastair Clarkson fumes over Paul Curtis tackle ban. But Curtis and North captain Jy Simpkin also made their frustrations known on social media, with Curtis, in particular, taking a pointed jab at AFL Headquarters. 'Please attend our touch football game this Thursday night vs Essendon #nomoretackling,' Parker wrote on Instagram following the tribunal's controversial decision on Curtis. Later, Curtis changed his Instagram profile pic to an ATFL logo (Australian Touch Football League). North Melbourne football boss Todd Viney was asked about the public protests ahead of Thursday night's thrilling clash with Essendon at Marvel Stadium . 'We sent out a message to our players to let sleeping dogs lie,' Viney told the ABC. 'I understand the frustrations but we asked them to take it all down.' Curtis has indeed changed his profile pic since, and Parker has removed the 'touch football game' post. Simpkin had also spoken out on the matter, and referenced another three-game ban to a teammate (Jackson Archer) from earlier in the year (Archer was banned after a collision with Western Bulldog Luke Cleary, but many thought Archer could have received a free kick from the incident as Cleary dived on the ball and his head hit Archer's legs). 'Arch and now PC … smh', Simpkin said. The Curtis ban was particularly jarring because it was universally agreed that there was no malice in what Curtis did. In fact, the Curtis tackle was near text book except his own momentum carried him forward which in turned forced him on top the back of Port Adelaide's Josh Sinn. As their weight was carried forward, Sinn's head hit the ground and he was concussed. It was clear to all that this was an accident, but the tribunal said Curtis needed to let go of an arm mid tackle as to prevent the Sinn concussion. The players weren't the only ones upset about the Curtis ban, and AFL football manager Laura Kane has since said that a discussion about the matter at end of the year was 'worthy'. 'I thought the judgement was comprehensive, but I thought the incident was a really, really hard one,' Kane told SEN. 'The really challenging part was the MRO's decision to decide whether that was a tackle and an accident that Josh (Sinn) was concussed or, in fact, careless as was found. 'Clearly didn't think it was intentional, and I think the tricky part is what happens next, once it's careless, what happens next when there's an injury? 'I can certainly understand the frustration and in some parts the confusion ...' Kane admitted that, upon reflection, the three-match ban seemed to be a 'jarring element'. 'The discussion that could be had is, is there available to us a sliding scale? And would that frustration, or would that sentiment be there if it was less than three weeks? I don't know. But I think that's a really worthy discussion to have,' she said. After the match on Thursday night, coach Alastair Clarkson was still fuming about the whole matter. And Kane's admission did not help the famous coach's mood. 'We're disappointed with that outcome and particularly the severity of the outcome,' Clarkson said. 'Football action, he gets three weeks, someone swings an arm, off-the-ball incident, he gets less. It doesn't make sense. 'Also doesn't make sense that the AFL come out and say, 'oh we might change that at the end of the year.' It doesn't help us. We're really disappointed with that. Really disappointed. 'Because really strong leadership would say, 'We understand it's wrong and we'll change it right now.' He shouldn't be missing three weeks of footy.' - With AAP
7NEWS
02-05-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
North Melbourne stars Luke Parker and Paul Curtis ordered to remove AFL protest posts on tackling
Protesting North Melbourne players have been ordered to stand down. Former Sydney Swans champion and Kangaroos recruit Luke Parker led the charge when the tribunal banned his new teammate Paul Curtis for three matches for a dangerous tackle on Port Adelaide's Josh Sinn. But Curtis and North captain Jy Simpkin also made their frustrations known on social media, with Curtis, in particular, taking a pointed jab at AFL Headquarters. 'Please attend our touch football game this Thursday night vs Essendon #nomoretackling,' Parker wrote on Instagram following the tribunal's controversial decision on Curtis. Later, Curtis changed his Instagram profile pic to an ATFL logo (Australian Touch Football League). North Melbourne football boss Todd Viney was asked about the public protests ahead of Thursday night's thrilling clash with Essendon at Marvel Stadium . 'We sent out a message to our players to let sleeping dogs lie,' Viney told the ABC. 'I understand the frustrations but we asked them to take it all down.' Curtis has indeed changed his profile pic since, and Parker has removed the 'touch football game' post. Simpkin had also spoken out on the matter, and referenced another three-game ban to a teammate (Jackson Archer) from earlier in the year (Archer was banned after a collision with Western Bulldog Luke Cleary, but many thought Archer could have received a free kick from the incident as Cleary dived on the ball and his head hit Archer's legs). 'Arch and now PC … smh', Simpkin said. The Curtis ban was particularly jarring because it was universally agreed that there was no malice in what Curtis did. In fact, the Curtis tackle was near text book except his own momentum carried him forward which in turned forced him on top the back of Port Adelaide's Josh Sinn. As their weight was carried forward, Sinn's head hit the ground and he was concussed. It was clear to all that this was an accident, but the tribunal said Curtis needed to let go of an arm mid tackle as to prevent the Sinn concussion. The players weren't the only ones upset about the Curtis ban, and AFL football manager Laura Kane has since said that a discussion about the matter at end of the year was 'worthy'. 'I thought the judgement was comprehensive, but I thought the incident was a really, really hard one,' Kane told SEN. 'The really challenging part was the MRO's decision to decide whether that was a tackle and an accident that Josh (Sinn) was concussed or, in fact, careless as was found. 'Clearly didn't think it was intentional, and I think the tricky part is what happens next, once it's careless, what happens next when there's an injury? 'I can certainly understand the frustration and in some parts the confusion ...' Kane admitted that, upon reflection, the three-match ban seemed to be a 'jarring element'. 'The discussion that could be had is, is there available to us a sliding scale? And would that frustration, or would that sentiment be there if it was less than three weeks? I don't know. But I think that's a really worthy discussion to have,' she said. After the match on Thursday night, coach Alastair Clarkson was still fuming about the whole matter. And Kane's admission did not help the famous coach's mood. 'We're disappointed with that outcome and particularly the severity of the outcome,' Clarkson said. 'Football action, he gets three weeks, someone swings an arm, off-the-ball incident, he gets less. It doesn't make sense. 'Also doesn't make sense that the AFL come out and say, 'oh we might change that at the end of the year.' It doesn't help us. We're really disappointed with that. Really disappointed. 'Because really strong leadership would say, 'We understand it's wrong and we'll change it right now.' He shouldn't be missing three weeks of footy.'
The Age
25-04-2025
- Sport
- The Age
North greats have had enough, but is Clarkson the man to turn it around?
'Everyone's out of words … it's about effort and intent, and who knows where that is at the moment,' McKernan told this masthead. Defensive woes for the master of defence Clarkson was a brilliant defensive coach through most of his time at Hawthorn. Dubbed 'Clarko's cluster' by Gerard Healy, the Hawks defended space and took a 15-man zone to a new level. But the Kangaroos have been split apart defensively. Clarkson has been asking his men to play a co-ordinated defensive system, but the Kangaroos have been unable to stick fat, prompting dual club premiership player David King – a former teammate of McKernan and Archer – to declare on SEN: 'All principles of defending are lost'. That the Kangaroos were exposed in the midfield – typically a strength and where their best draft selections lay – by the Blues on Good Friday meant their defenders were under enormous pressure. However, their prime defenders, including Griffin Logue, Aidan Corr and Charlie Comben, haven't been getting the job done. The statistics tell a terrible tale. They concede on average 117.3 points per game – a league high. They were also 18th last year, but this is where it becomes particularly head-shaking, for they conceded 110.9 points per game in 2024. In 2023, they ranked 17th, conceding a mere 100.8 points per game. Elsewhere, it's also tough reading. The Kangaroos are in the bottom four for conceding points from turnover, points from clearance and points and goals per inside 50. Viney said the Kangaroos were at a 'building blocks' stage, and 'layers' were still to be added. However, former Western Bulldog Caleb Daniel has not been the rebounding defender the Kangaroos had hoped he'd be, and former Blue Zac Fisher is too loose to play in defence. Logue, a former Docker, was supposed to be an anchor, but has been axed this week. So, too, Corr. Were they playing the selfless team defence required, or had they been in self-preservation mode? Youngsters Riley Hardeman and Will Dawson now have their chance, while Jackson Archer, a hard nut like his father, returns. Skipper Jy Simpkin needs to find another gear. Is Clarko still the man? AFL great Nick Riewoldt fears the wagons are circling around Clarkson. Club insiders insist the coach is as fresh as ever, Viney describing criticism of the four-time premiership coach as disrespectful. The man himself responded by declaring he is as ruthless as ever, and is working desperately to lift the club from the 'doldrums'. Clarkson turns 57 on Sunday, and has more than two years remaining on his five-year contract. His signature was hailed as a significant turning point for the club, but when it comes to wins and losses that hasn't been the case. 'Put on a tape of Glenn Archer, watch his desperation, hatred of being beaten, and ask: 'Am I competing like that?'' North Melbourne premiership great Corey McKernan Luke Hodge, a three-time premiership skipper in his time at Hawthorn, has been Clarkson's staunchest defender, recalling the patience that was required with the Hawks when Clarkson began there in 2005. By the end of 2008, a flag was delivered. Clarkson has brought stability internally to North, and is a well-respected public face for the club, but hopes of a finals bid, let alone a premiership dream, are as distant as ever. King has questioned whether Clarkson's seven-figure wage has filled a major chunk of the $7.675 million soft cap. But the Kangaroos insist they have a strong assistant coaching group. There is also public debate whether Clarkson's long rap sheet has taken the sting from his tail. This includes the $20,000 fine and two-game ban, suspended until the end of the season, for his inappropriate outburst towards St Kilda players Jimmy Webster and Dougal Howard last season. Riewoldt wants Clarkson to get angry. 'They are good players, but they are good players playing like they fear nothing from the senior coach. They don't fear repercussions from the senior coach for ordinary efforts, particularly defensively,' Riewoldt said on Seven. 'The wagons are circling, the noise is getting louder. If you are going to go down, Clarko, go down swinging.' Former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas took to social media to question whether 'the ruthless, demanding, hard edge of Clarko' had diminished. But Clarkson made it clear he still has what it takes to drag the club up. 'I am sure our players would tell you, if they wanted to reveal it to the outside football world, that I am not all kisses and cuddles. I think everyone has known that about me for as long as I have been involved in AFL footy. But I also know when the right time is to wrap an arm around a guy and try and give him some support,' Clarkson said. He also pointed to the rise Melbourne and Brisbane have had over the past decade to show how the wheel can turn. Viney insists Clarkson is back to his best after stepping away from North Melbourne in 2023 due to the effect of the Hawthorn racism investigation on his mental and physical health. 'He's had enormous distractions, unwarranted criticism, judged unfairly – it's taken an enormous toll on him over those two years,' Viney, who also worked alongside Clarkson at Hawthorn, told SEN. 'Eventually, we're into this third year, he's two years and six games in, and he's a rejuvenated person, back to his old self, a lot of energy, seeing the game as well as he's ever seen it.' No more Mr Nice Guy Former Kangaroos are hopping mad. Not only has King been vocal in his scathing assessments for weeks, former forward Troy Makepeace has made his feelings clear on social media, posting last Friday there was too much club focus on being 'nice'. 'One of my coaches said, 'Nice guys finish last'. AFL is the elite. [There's] no room for being nice, you need to be brutal, you need to want it more. Get angry … break something … no more bullshit, that ship has sailed … stand for something … just do something …' Makepeace said. Makepeace – as Clarkson has done – later called for unity, urging the club to return to its 'Shinboner way'. But unity will only go so far if the results don't come. In what should have been a season where the Kangaroos showed marked signs of a rebirth, they again find themselves having to explain what's gone wrong.
