Latest news with #Hawthorn
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- 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.
The Australian
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Australian
AFL 2025: Alastair Clarkson on concussed young gun George Wardlaw
North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson says he won't take 'take the beast out' of hard-nosed midfielder George Wardlaw despite yet another concussion setback. Wardlaw sustained a third concussion in 12 months during the Kangaroos' disappointing loss to Hawthorn on Saturday. He will enter the concussion protocols but could sit on the sidelines for longer as North Melbourne prioritises the health of its young star. Wardlaw was seemingly in good health at training on Tuesday, completing some running away from the main group. Clarkson says every footballer runs the risk of injury and has no intention of changing the way Wardlaw attacks the contest. 'He's been asked this question plenty of times, what do you change with him? He's habitual, it's the way he plays his footy,' he said. 'You just hope over time he gathers a bit more awareness, a little bit more luck, a bit stronger in his body, perhaps. 'I try to take the beast out of the way that he plays and you won't have the same George Wardlaw. 'That's the risk we all have when we play the game, hope he gets a good run of luck.' George Wardlaw was concussed early in the match against Hawthorn. Picture: James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images Wardlaw was not the only Roo away from the main group on Tuesday, with Luke Parker absent from the track. Clarkson says the short turnaround between the Hawks and Western Bulldogs this Thursday is forcing the Roos to limit the training of a few sore bodies. North Melbourne trains again on Wednesday and will put several players through a fitness test ahead of selection. 'We've got a whole heap of guys because it's such a short break, we trained today and most of those guys were able to do something,' Clarkson said. 'It's just getting them moving a bit, we'll train tomorrow and then select our side tomorrow night. '(Parker) is one of those guys that we need to test tomorrow, some of them didn't come out on the track at all today or they did very, very light duties on the side. 'They'll present tomorrow with another 24 hours of recovery (and) see how we go. We'll have a couple of certainties out … George and Jack Darling. 'We'll test a couple others tomorrow, see how they pull up and if they're no good we'll just go in with fresh guys.' Tyler Lewis Sports reporter Tyler Lewis is a sports reporter based in Melbourne's south east. @tmlew_ Tyler Lewis
Courier-Mail
2 days ago
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
AFL 2025: Alastair Clarkson on concussed young gun George Wardlaw
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson says he won't take 'take the beast out' of hard-nosed midfielder George Wardlaw despite yet another concussion setback. Wardlaw sustained a third concussion in 12 months during the Kangaroos' disappointing loss to Hawthorn on Saturday. He will enter the concussion protocols but could sit on the sidelines for longer as North Melbourne prioritises the health of its young star. Wardlaw was seemingly in good health at training on Tuesday, completing some running away from the main group. Clarkson says every footballer runs the risk of injury and has no intention of changing the way Wardlaw attacks the contest. 'He's been asked this question plenty of times, what do you change with him? He's habitual, it's the way he plays his footy,' he said. 'You just hope over time he gathers a bit more awareness, a little bit more luck, a bit stronger in his body, perhaps. 'I try to take the beast out of the way that he plays and you won't have the same George Wardlaw. 'That's the risk we all have when we play the game, hope he gets a good run of luck.' George Wardlaw was concussed early in the match against Hawthorn. Picture: James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images Wardlaw was not the only Roo away from the main group on Tuesday, with Luke Parker absent from the track. Clarkson says the short turnaround between the Hawks and Western Bulldogs this Thursday is forcing the Roos to limit the training of a few sore bodies. North Melbourne trains again on Wednesday and will put several players through a fitness test ahead of selection. 'We've got a whole heap of guys because it's such a short break, we trained today and most of those guys were able to do something,' Clarkson said. 'It's just getting them moving a bit, we'll train tomorrow and then select our side tomorrow night. '(Parker) is one of those guys that we need to test tomorrow, some of them didn't come out on the track at all today or they did very, very light duties on the side. 'They'll present tomorrow with another 24 hours of recovery (and) see how we go. We'll have a couple of certainties out … George and Jack Darling. 'We'll test a couple others tomorrow, see how they pull up and if they're no good we'll just go in with fresh guys.' Originally published as AFL 2025: North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson on concussed young gun George Wardlaw
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
How Roos plan to mend ‘habitual' Wardlaw
North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson says he won't take 'take the beast out' of hard-nosed midfielder George Wardlaw despite yet another concussion setback. Wardlaw sustained a third concussion in 12 months during the Kangaroos' disappointing loss to Hawthorn on Saturday. He will enter the concussion protocols but could sit on the sidelines for longer as North Melbourne prioritises the health of its young star. Wardlaw was seemingly in good health at training on Tuesday, completing some running away from the main group. Clarkson says every footballer runs the risk of injury and has no intention of changing the way Wardlaw attacks the contest. 'He's been asked this question plenty of times, what do you change with him? He's habitual, it's the way he plays his footy,' he said. 'You just hope over time he gathers a bit more awareness, a little bit more luck, a bit stronger in his body, perhaps. 'I try to take the beast out of the way that he plays and you won't have the same George Wardlaw. 'That's the risk we all have when we play the game, hope he gets a good run of luck.' Wardlaw was not the only Roo away from the main group on Tuesday, with Luke Parker absent from the track. Clarkson says the short turnaround between the Hawks and Western Bulldogs this Thursday is forcing the Roos to limit the training of a few sore bodies. North Melbourne trains again on Wednesday and will put several players through a fitness test ahead of selection. 'We've got a whole heap of guys because it's such a short break, we trained today and most of those guys were able to do something,' Clarkson said. 'It's just getting them moving a bit, we'll train tomorrow and then select our side tomorrow night. '(Parker) is one of those guys that we need to test tomorrow, some of them didn't come out on the track at all today or they did very, very light duties on the side. 'They'll present tomorrow with another 24 hours of recovery (and) see how we go. We'll have a couple of certainties out … George and Jack Darling. 'We'll test a couple others tomorrow, see how they pull up and if they're no good we'll just go in with fresh guys.'
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Hawthorn star Josh Weddle could miss rest of home and away season with back injury
Hawthorn hope the early detection of a stress fracture in star playmaker Josh Weddle's back will help him be back before the finals but not before he misses most, if not all, of the final eight games of the season. After reporting soreness following last Saturday's big win over North Melbourne in Launceston, the 21-year-old was sent for scans. They revealed early stages of lumbar bone stress and Hawthorn doctor Liam West said depending on how Weddle responded to treatment, he could yet return to play in the finals series. 'We will need to take some time to deload Josh during this initial phase before we can identify just how long he will be sidelined for,' Dr West said. 'Given how early the injury was discovered, we are hopeful he can return to play before the end of the season. 'While this is obviously disappointing for Josh, our priority right now is taking a careful and cautious approach to ensure Josh makes a safe return but as quickly as possible. 'We will ensure to provide further updates on Josh's injury as soon as we can.' The Hawks have eight more games before finals, making Weddle's return tight.
