North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has warned golf equipment searching for to lure free agent Ben McKay that the Kangaroos will probably be “fighting to keep him” as he launched an assault on critics of his membership getting draft help calling out previous assist given to the Gold Coast Suns.
As Clarkson declared he wouldn’t revert to curfews or prohibit participant behaviour after former skipper Jack Ziebell was bashed exterior a bar and Luke Davis-Uniacke injured whereas browsing, the Kangaroos coach made the case for the AFL battlers to get draft assist after 4 years of ending “on the bottom”.
North must spring a shock and beat the Gold Coast Suns of their remaining match to get out of 18th spot, and a third-straight wood spoon, which might include the No.1 decide within the draft and the primary probability to snare gun teenager Harley Reid.
Clarkson mentioned no-one ought to argue with the Kangaroos being within the place to get the highest decide after affected by compromised drafts throughout the AFL’s growth.
“The whole idea of equalisation … for goodness sake, the league put in place some things several years ago for the Gold Coast Suns to actually equalise and get better opportunity … getting Darwin as a zone, getting academy access to their players,” he mentioned.
“It’s just accepted that Gold Coast have got three picks in the top-10 this year and it’s like ‘oh well, that’s OK’.
“North Melbourne have put their hand up to say, ‘We’ve finished bottom for the last four years and we might actually need a little bit of help’.
“The team on the bottom for the last four years isn’t given any assistance at all and we’re decrying this, ‘should there be a lottery system’.
“Just let it play out … bottom line is the team that finishes on the bottom of the ladder should get the benefit of the best young player in the land.”
The Kangaroos face a battle to maintain key defender McKay however reiterate the menace to match any supply for the restricted free agent and mentioned even a possible top-five compensation decide wouldn’t be used to have a look at a key defender if he was to depart.
Clarkson mentioned the membership would do all it may to hold onto McKay as the important thing defender is linked to a number of suitors, together with Essendon and Port Adelaide.
“We want him to stay at our footy club … we reckon his best seven years are going to be the next seven,” Clarkson mentioned.
“If we don’t feel like we’re going to get the compensation necessary for him, then we’ll be fighting for him to stay.
“Take pick 2 or 3 for Ben McKay’s compensation … well, let me know if there’s a six-foot-five, six-foot-six fullback or centre half-back in the draft to replace him – there ain’t.”
Clarkson additionally confirmed retired former captain Jack Ziebell was “recovering well” after an alleged assault exterior a South Yarra bar following his remaining recreation. Ziebell suffered critical facial accidents that required surgical procedure
“(Ziebell) has gone bush for a couple of days just to get a bit of fresh air,” Clarkson mentioned.
“He’s recovering well … it was unfortunate, but another part of us says, ‘Gee he was lucky, it could’ve been a lot worse.
“It’s a reminder for all players around the league – not too much good happens after midnight.”
It comes because the Roos coach declared Luke Davies-Uniacke’s season was over after the star midfielder did not get better sufficiently from a toe harm sustained in a browsing accident in time for Saturday’s conflict in opposition to Gold Coast in Hobart.
Clarkson mentioned Davies-Uniacke’s harm whereas browsing on his break day was a “delicate area” to handle however no restrictions can be imposed.
“LDU didn’t go out into the surf to intentionally hurt himself … he just got dumped in a wave, landed awkwardly, hurt his foot. He was pretty sheepish when he came in (last) Thursday,” Clarkson mentioned.
“We’re disappointed with that, but we just can’t take away … that’s a release for him, that’s his leisure.
“We don‘t want to be imposing curfews and discipline around when they drink, and how much they drink.
“I‘ve had three serious accidents in the last four years, one which hospitalised me for 10 days.
“If someone was to turn around me to say you can‘t go to the farm now because you missed 10 days of work then I think they’d get a rude reply.
“We’ve just got to hope that these guys just risk manage a little bit … just don’t surf as big a wave or make sure you wear booties, whatever it may be.”
Source: www.news.com.au
