Latest news with #ColbyMcKercher
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kangas lock away Tassie target ahead of AFL celebration
North Melbourne have re-signed young gun and top Tasmania target Colby McKercher in welcome news amid controversy surrounding their AFL/VFL centenary celebrations. Premiership heroes Sam Kekovich and John Burns are set to boycott the event when the Kangaroos mark 100 years in the competition in their clash with the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night. But Alastair Clarkson's men are determined to rise to the occasion following last week's thumping by Hawthorn, and have been buoyed by McKercher's contract extension. Sonic's staying put 🙌#Kangas — North Melbourne FC (@NMFCOfficial) July 2, 2025 The 2023 No.2 draft pick was already contracted for next season, and has committed to the Kangaroos for a further two years to the end of 2028. It keeps Launceston product McKercher out of the Tasmania Devils' clutches, at least for now, with the expansion club slated for inclusion in the 2028 AFL season. "He's a key part of our future and his decision to sign on for another two years speaks volumes about his belief in the direction we're heading as a club," Kangaroos talent boss Brady Rawlings said. "We're incredibly excited to see what he can achieve in the years to come." McKercher joins ruck star Tristan Xerri and Josh Goater as players who have recommitted to North Melbourne in the past month, and will be key to their chances of upsetting the Bulldogs. The Kangaroos were battered to the tune of 85 points by Hawthorn in Launceston on Saturday and have endured a torrid recent history against the Bulldogs, losing their past eight meetings by an average of 53 points. North coach Alastair Clarkson conceded contest and clearance were areas of concern against the Hawks, but described the sub-par performance as an "aberration". "Whether it's a significant milestone game for the club or not, we have to address that part of our footy ... if we don't, we know what they (the Bulldogs) can do," Clarkson said. Two-time North Melbourne premiership coach Denis Pagan will address past and present players before the bounce at Marvel Stadium. All six of the club's 300-game players will be recognised, along with members of the 1975, 1977, 1996 and 1999 premiership teams, and last year's AFLW premiers. Kekovich and Burns are set to be controversial no-shows, reportedly discontent with the fact the historic first VFL premiership won't be recognised in a separate capacity. The Kangaroos' centenary celebration was originally planned for the Round 20 clash with Geelong, who they played against on their VFL debut in 1925. But the club pivoted to Round 17 against the Bulldogs when the AFL scheduled that fixture in a prime stand-alone slot. "They're very, very difficult things to organise, to try and please everyone," Clarkson said. "The club has done a great job in bringing together a whole heap of people - ultimately it's the choice of people if they want to be involved in it or not." Clarkson attended Hawthorn's centenary celebration in May despite his messy departure as Hawks coach in 2021 and the club's subsequent racism saga. A week after saluting over Sydney in Marcus Bontempelli's 250th game, the Bulldogs (9-6) will look to mark Tom Liberatore's same milestone with a fourth straight win and press their case for a finals berth.
News.com.au
15-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
AFL 2025: North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson says positioning of rising star Colby McKercher a ‘balancing act'
North Melbourne is jostling between the present and future with the positioning of young gun Colby McKercher. McKercher is enduring a minor slump from his debut season after shifting from halfback to a more forward-of-centre role. The dashing left-footer is averaging 15 disposals this year, down from the 24 per game he recorded in 2024. North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson says it's a 'balancing act' of playing McKercher where he'll find the footy or where he'll benefit the club long term. 'Any player in the competition that comes in to try and learn the game usually finds it easier behind the ball rather than in front of the ball,' Clarkson said. 'That's been a challenge … he's finding his feet in terms of half forward, wing, a little bit of on-ball, we think that's where he's going to end up playing 'The challenge of putting him in a position where he can win a little bit more of the footy and help us, which he did last year, and trying to nurture him in the position he's likely to play long-term in his footy career – that's a balancing act.' North Melbourne followed the same structure with Harry Sheezel but have been forced to drop the vice-captain back in recent weeks. Clarkson says the Kangaroos must assess 'quarter-to-quarter' where on the ground Sheezel and McKercher can lift the side. 'As we've seen with 'Sheez' (Harry Sheezel), start him at halfback for a season, move him into the midfield and forward the bulk of last season,' he said. 'We got to round 6 of this year and it was like 'wow, we need his (Sheezel) ball use, stability and safety in our back end'. 'He's gone there the last three weeks and it's helped us enormously defensively. He and Colby we'll just need over various weeks depending on opposition, will just switch between playing half back and on-ball. 'It'll all depend on opposition from time to time, who we've got available for our half backline – he will continue to play a whole variety of roles for us. 'Sometimes that'll just be game-to-game but sometimes it'll be quarter-to-quarter. We just need to use him where we think is best going to fit the side.'
