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Wayne Carey: Tough calls prove Brad Scott deserves to guide North Melbourne into the future

Wayne Carey
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Over the past 12 months, Brad Scott's coaching has been built on a number of courageous decisions.

But while his call to cull North Melbourne champions like Brent Harvey and Drew Petrie was met with plenty of criticism, there is no doubt it was the right one.

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Having scraped into finals last year before being sent packing by Adelaide, the club had clearly stagnated and change was required.

Not necessarily a rebuild, but a reset.

When you don't win games early in a season people start talking, and already this year many have questioned Scott's future.

Scott himself has admitted he'll sit down with the club at season's end to discuss whether he's the right man for the job.

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Since taking over in 2010, he's guided North to finals on four occasions, including two preliminary finals, finishing no lower than 10th in that period.

But even though Scott hasn't tasted the ultimate success at Arden Street, I believe he's already shown he's the man to lead the club into their next phase.

While he's contracted until the end of 2018, Scott deserves an extension so he can develop this new-look group over the next three to four years.

Here's why.

In the past fortnight Scott has made more tough calls, dropping Andrew Swallow and Lindsay Thomas.

At 0-5, axing a three-time best and fairest winner and former skipper in Swallow, as well as a player like Thomas, takes courage.

But that decision has since paid dividends.

 Against the Crows last week, there was a real emergence of young talent.

We've known for some time Mason Wood has plenty of ability, but finally he seems to be overcoming his injury concerns.

Luke McDonald has regained the form that was expected of him when he was drafted, while Kayne Turner and Trent Dumont have shown they're comfortable at AFL level.

Former Bulldog Nathan Hrovat has also been a handy inclusion.

While the overall turnover of players since last year has been quite dramatic, Scott has ensured it hasn't compromised what he or the club stands for.

Yes, the Kangaroos have won just two games, but they've given themselves a chance of winning almost every week and were impressive against Adelaide and Geelong.

Right now, North are 14th, but unlike with some teams around them you generally know what you're going to get. There's a clear brand and a consistency of effort.

From a tactical point of view, Scott's decision to send Sam Gibson to Rory Sloane against the Crows was a masterstroke.

Having a plan and being able to execute it tells you the players are listening and your message is getting through.

Despite the fact the Kangaroos probably won't play finals,  Scott's in the coaching form of his career. He's handled a difficult start to the season well and continues to be bold and brave.

North fans should be genuinely excited about where the club is heading.

If there's one slight on how the Roos have been playing, they are, at times, scored against quite easily.

Opposition teams rarely feel like they're out of it against them, no matter how big the margin.

Being slightly one-paced through the middle with the likes of Jack Ziebell, Ben Cunnington and Swallow has meant they can be hurt on the outside and Scott would be acutely aware of that.

The Roos are clearly being aggressive with their list strategy if we're to believe the big money being thrown at GWS young gun Josh Kelly.

It might not come off, but at least the Roos are putting themselves in the conversation when it comes to snaring out of contract players like Kelly, or even Dustin Martin.

Still, for all the tough decisions Scott has made in the past year, there will be more to come. Clearly, to get a player of the value of Kelly you need to give up something valuable.

Todd Goldstein might just be that man.

No club would want to give away a player like Goldstein, who has been an All-Australian ruckman and great servant over a long period.

But already this season Braden Preuss has shown he's a capable big man and Majak Daw has been waiting in the wings for some time.

This is nothing against Todd, who I still believe is one of the top ruckmen in the competition, but if he's the difference in getting a Kelly-type deal done, then the Roos must make that sacrifice.

It's the type of decision which could setup the club's future, and ultimately began their climb back towards finals and a premiership.

It's also the type of ruthless call that Scott has proved he's willing to make.







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