North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson is bracing his workforce for a fierce response from Nat Fyfe in Saturday’s AFL conflict with Fremantle at Optus Stadium.
Fyfe starred as a everlasting ahead throughout the pre-season, however his round-one show in final week’s 15-point loss to St Kilda led to a wave of criticism.
The two-time Brownlow medallist appeared misplaced at occasions on the best way to gathering simply 9 disposals to go along with his solitary behind.
Dockers coach Justin Longmuir has staunchly defended his resolution to play Fyfe solely as a ahead, saying the 31-year-old will proceed on within the position.
Fyfe will likely be decided to place in a robust show in opposition to the Kangaroos, and Clarkson is nicely conscious of what the star Docker is able to producing.
“I know him a little bit from international rules. I know he’s a very proud man,” Clarkson informed reporters on Friday.
“There’s not too many who gets to the level he has done.
“He’s just such a fierce competitor, and I’d expect that he’ll want to make amends for a performance that was well below his best last week.”
The Dockers gained the within 50m depend 65-53 in opposition to the Saints, however their tall ahead line barely had an impression.
Prized recruit Luke Jackson did not take a mark on the best way to 0.2 from 12 disposals, whereas Josh Treacy (1.0 from three disposals), Matt Taberner (1.0 from 9 disposals) had been additionally quiet.
Treacy has been axed for this week, however Longmuir is backing in the remainder of the ahead line to show issues round.
“With 65 inside 50s you should be kicking more goals,” Longmuir mentioned.
“I can guarantee our forward line will have a better output and we’ll get some stuff right down there.
“We’ll make sure we give them a better chance to succeed as well.
“It’s not on the forward line, it’s not on the midfield it’s not on the backs. It’s on us as a collective to get it right.
“It’s not all doom and gloom either. We’ve taken the main points out of the St Kilda game, we’ve worked on them, and you’ll see a better performance.”
North Melbourne ruckman Todd Goldstein was missed within the season opener in favour of Tristan Xerri.
But Xerri’s severe ankle harm means Goldstein will now be thrust again into the lead ruck position for the foreseeable future.
“It wasn’t like he (Goldstein) was in terrible form, we just decided to go in with one ruckman rather than two,” Clarkson mentioned.
“We’re so fortunate with big X going out injured that we’ve got Goldy in the wings there that’s waiting to come in.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
