North VFL’s inspiring eight-point win over Port Melbourne on Saturday afternoon was a result of some impressive performances.
North Media spoke with senior assistant coach Gavin Brown about some of the individual standouts.
Nathan Hrovat | 21 disposals | 7 marks | 9 tackles
“He was good. His pressure was really good which is one of the things he’s been focusing on.
“As we know these days, small forwards need to put pressure on the opposition when they get the ball, so that was good.
“He got a little bit of it himself, and setup a couple of really nice inside 50’s.
“He would have been pleased with that game I would have thought.”
Ben McKay | 11 disposals | 8 marks | 2 tackles
“He was very good. His contested marking was a stand-out once again.
“He was taking pack marks with ease, he was really on, and I just don’t think he thought he could drop a ball.
“He was very, very impressive in the air.
“He just controlled the game in the air with his contested marking and he used the ball well.
“That was absolutely one of his better games.”
Tom Murphy | 18 disposals | 3 tackles | 3 rebound 50’s
“He had one of his better games.
“As a matter of fact he’s come up better on the vision than he did live, and that can sometimes happen.
“Defensively he was really, really sound, which is something he’s been working really hard on.
“Some of his kicking penetration was outstanding.
“There was one where he kicked it from half-back to the middle of the game, over the top of the zone and just opened the game right up.
“He’s got elite kicking skills when he concentrates, so he just attacked the game and just drove with his legs.”
Luke Davies-Uniacke | 19 disposals | 6 tackles | 6 clearances
“He was very good in patches. I think he showed why he was such an early pick.
“There was probably about four or five occasions in the middle of the ground when he took the game on and drove with his legs.
“He just looked really good, really good.”
Sam Durdin | 8 disposals | 2 tackles | 2 rebound 50’s
“Durds had nine spoils, hardly got beaten all day and won some critical one-on-ones late in the game when we needed him to.
“I’m sure you’ve seen that chase down tackle, that was a standout and just outstanding.
“Durds and Benny have just gone from strength to strength in the past month.”
Alex Morgan | 17 disposals | 3 marks | 4 rebound 50’s
“Morgs was pretty solid, he had 18 possessions.
“He’s been trying to get a bit more of the ball, so when he runs with his leg speed and penetrating kicks he can be very impactful.
“I thought he did some nice work. ”
Nick Hogan (VFL-listed) | 12 disposals | 4 marks | 1 tackle
“Nick’s from Gippsland, came in for his first game and had a real impact.
“He’s got real speed, and attacked the game vigorously, and made some really good, strong spoils and tackles.
“He’s only 175 centimetres, so we played him as a small defender on the weekend, but can play as a small forward and maybe even inside given he’s pretty hard at it.”
Individual performances:
Nash Holmes (VFL-listed) | 27 disposals | 5 marks | 7 tackles
Mitchell Hibberd | 20 disposals | 4 marks | 3 tackles
Josh Williams | 18 disposals | 5 marks | 4 inside 50’s
Paul Ahern | 18 disposals | 3 marks | 1 goal
Chris Jansen (VFL-listed) | 18 disposals | 5 tackles | 4 clearances
Braydon Preuss | 15 disposals | 5 marks | 39 hitouts
Nick Rippon (VFL-listed)| 14 disposals | 4 marks | 3 tackles
Taylor Garner | 10 disposals | 4 marks | 5 tackles
Louis Cunningham (VFL-listed)| 10 disposals | 6 tackles | 1 rebound 50
Oscar Junker | 9 disposals | 4 marks | 2 goals
Michael Close (VFL-listed) | 9 disposals | 5 marks | 2 goals
Kyron Hayden | 7 disposals | 3 tackles | 2 inside 50’s
Nick Larkey | 7 disposals | 4 marks | 3 goals
Tristan Xerri | 6 disposals | 2 marks | 12 hitouts
Will Walker | 6 disposals | 1 mark | 2 tackles
