Latest news with #RoamingBrian
7NEWS
03-07-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Denis Pagan roasts North Melbourne players in pre-game rev-up to mark centenary celebrations
Dual premiership coach Denis Pagan has given North Melbourne players a rev-up to mark their centenary ahead of Thursday night's clash with the Western Bulldogs. The Kangaroos shifted the celebrations to ensure their flag triumphs took place in prime time, and the 77-year-old coach took centre stage. Mic'd up, he stood in the middle of the Roos' 23 players taking the field and promptly demanded more after last week's 85-point loss to Hawthorn. Pagan touched on North's history before recalling his famous 1990s sides. 'We had a great team then, very similar to the '70s. No one intimidated us. We had a mantra — 'war without weapons',' he said. 'Everyone who ran out put his body on the line. I want to see you blokes do that tonight. 'I had a look at Hawthorn last week and I can tell you what, a lot of you blokes have got a bit to answer for.' Fans immediately cheered as Pagan continued. 'Tonight, you make sure that you're hard at the ball, you're hard at the man with the ball, you tackle him, you chase, you put pressure on your opponent. No daydreaming, just go for it and give it your best shot!' he said. North greats were all smiles as they shook hands with the current players ahead of the game. 'Well that was a little bit of Denis Pagan of old. I don't know about you gentlemen but I've got goosebumps. I am ready to play after that rev-up,' Bec Maddern said on Channel 7. Nick Riewoldt said: 'No wonder they were so good in the '90s, how could you not be with an address like that? I loved a bit of a hard edge there.' Kane Cornes, a high-profile critic of North Melbourne this year, loved the call to arms and said it was 'amazing'. In a special pre-game edition of Roaming Brian, North president Sonja Hood said it was a 'wonderful' show while club great Ross Glendinning praised the 'fantastic' initiative — and couldn't resist a joke. 'I'm worried about getting RSV or COVID because he spat that much,' Glendinning laughed. North's 1977 premiership captain David Dench said he hoped the players took in the message. 'I just hope the guys got a bit of adrenaline out of it so they can kick on and have a good game tonight,' he said. The celebrations were initially overshadowed by a planned boycott from multiple greats over the date clash and decision to honour North's 2024 AFLW premiers. But there was no negativity on the night. Darren Crocker played in the Kangaroos' 1996 flag and coached the AFLW side to the premiership last year. 'Very special,' he told Brian Taylor. 'It's 100 years, for us to be able to contribute in the W space is really special for the club and all our supporters. They've really got behind our W program. The rev-up was instantly followed by a celebration for the Bulldogs as Tom Liberatore ran out for his 250th game.
7NEWS
20-06-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Aussie NBA star Luke Travers makes surprise cameo on Roaming Brian after Fremantle's win over Essendon
Aussie NBA star Luke Travers has made a cheeky dig at close friend Luke Jackson after the Fremantle big man's standout performance against Essendon on Thursday night. Jackson played arguably the best game of his career, kicking three goals to go with 48 hitouts, 21 disposals and 10 clearances as the Dockers romped to a 41-point win. But that wasn't enough to impress Travers, who played down the performance when asked by Channel 7's Brian Tayler on Roaming Brian. 'He was all right ... could've been a little better here and there,' Travers joked. Jackson and Travers both attended Willetton Senior High School in Perth and have remained close friends. Travers, 23, plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA after stints with Perth Wildcats and Melbourne United in the NBL. He is in Australia during the NBA off-season, spending time with friends and family. Decked out in a Fremantle kit, Travers has around a month back home before heading back to the USA for pre-season training. The 201cm is one of 14 Aussies making waves in the NBA. 'It's really good for the future of the Australian team, exciting times,' he added. Travers is about to link up with a pair of fellow Aussie NBA stars in Melbourne. 'I'm about to spend the next month in Melbourne with Josh (Giddey) and Dyson Daniels,' he said. 'It'll be good competition. We always like going against each other, so it'll be good.' Fremantle (9-5) posted their fifth win on the trot with the 16.8 (104) to 9.9 (63) triumph over Essendon. Star Dockers recruit Shai Bolton ruffled a few feathers when he pointed Essendon players in the direction of the scoreboard during the second quarter, with the scoreboard reading 51-28 at the time. 'I didn't see that, but I like the edge he plays with,' Longmuir said. 'I think largely Shai valued the right things tonight. I thought his pressure and contests were really strong from the get-go. 'He plays with a bit of flair and he likes to get in the opposition's face. I didn't see the pointing at the scoreboard, but I don't mind the way he played.' Veteran Nat Fyfe, who had spent the previous two games as the sub, earned a rare start but managed just 11 disposals and one clearance before being subbed out in the final quarter. Fyfe spent periods stationed in attack to help fill the void left by Sam Switkowski (hamstring), and Longmuir was happy with the former captain's efforts. 'I thought he ran some really good patterns,' Longmuir said. 'I was really happy with the way he approached the role. I thought some of his physicality through the middle of the ground was great.' Fremantle have the chance to make it six wins on the trot when they host St Kilda on Sunday week.
