North Melbourne president Dr Sonja Hood writes to members and supporters
We started the season with the youngest and least experienced roster in the AFL when I wrote to you in March, right before our first home game of the year.
Though realistically anticipating a year of change after so much talent and experience left at the end of 2023, we were full of hope and optimism.
Although there have been many positive aspects of the year thus far (more on that in a moment), it is an undeniable fact that at times the football has been quite difficult to watch. Even the most upbeat of us, myself included, have been reduced to despair.
I declared at the beginning of the year that I wanted the residents of North Melbourne to once again love going to the game. We haven’t exactly enjoyed ourselves, have we? I would contend that even while there may not have been immediate delight, there is undoubtedly hope for the future, and we should all make every effort to cling to it.
There have been moments of excellent play during games, but it’s obvious that we haven’t been able to sustain it for very long. We regularly field the youngest team of the round and have already utilised 36 players, which is the second most in the league, in those few times.
When it comes to individual players on those young teams, there has been a lot to enjoy, even though the wins are still elusive.
Colby McKercher and George Wardlaw have already been nominated as AFL Rising Stars. Draft picks from the previous year, Riley Hardeman, Wil Dawson, and Zane Duursma, have already made their AFL debuts. Harry Sheezel, the winner of the 2023 Syd Barker Medal, has just continued where he left off.
Should you require a reminder, the six individuals listed above are all teens and represent our club’s future.
Some have improved this year, including Paul Curtis, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Charlie Comben, Zac Fisher, Tristan Xerri, and Tom Powell.
In summary, there have been significant changes to our playing roster as well as some individual improvements, but it will inevitably take time for everyone to click.
However, we have consistency for the first time in a long time throughout the organisation, especially in our football department. And anyone familiar with football will tell you that this is the foundation for success.
The majority of our football department, led by Alastair Clarkson and Todd Viney, is in its second year together, and there’s never been more alignment. The route is as plain as it has ever been, and there is optimism and excitement in the air.
You can be positive that even while we’re all eager for success, we won’t stray from the strategy we established when Clarko joined the club in the latter part of 2022. Although the journey hasn’t always been easy, we have the greatest people in place to help us through the rough patches.
Naturally, a lot of us just pay attention to what happens on the pitch, but I want to reassure you that a lot of effort is being done in other areas to prepare the team for success in the long run.
Some of the major projects being worked on off the pitch are:
Our ultimate plan for leaving Tasmania when the Devils join the league in 2028
examining the club’s position within the recently revised Arden Precinct plans, with the long-term goal of improving our facilities to assist on-field performance and keeping our roots in the community
the renovation of a portion of our Arden St residence to make the most of the space for the benefit of our athletes, medical professionals, and high-performance personnel.
Even if these won’t assist with the immediate victories, they will ensure that we can fully benefit from on-field success when it occurs, something I believe we haven’t always done properly in the past.
Lastly, I just wanted to extend a heartfelt “thank you” to all of you—the competition’s most devoted supporters.
Although the beginning of this year has been difficult, as have the previous few, your steadfast love and support for our club has been amazing.
We know it’s all driven by love because of the messages you send us at the club and the way you show up at the end of games to recognise the players’ efforts regardless of the outcome of the group and the drive to improve—emotions that we all experience.
The unwavering stoicism, loyalty, and support of our people motivate everyone at the club on a daily basis.
Our team needs your continued support to get over the finish line. We have four more Marvel Stadium home games left: on June 16 against Collingwood (our 1999 premiership celebration game), against the Bulldogs, Gold Coast, and Richmond; and on rounds 20 and 22 at Blundstone, against Geelong and West Coast.
Like everyone else, I’m hoping that the football, which kicks off this week in the west, gets better to watch in the second half of the season. All I can say is that we will continue exactly as we have been, working hard both on and off the pitch while keeping an eye on our club’s future and developing a culture and team that will lead us to victory.
I will see you during the football game. Thank you, “Go Roos.”
