Roos not out for Round 1 rehearsal

Ryan Bastinac gets a kick away before the match was abandoned. Picture: Scott Chris Source: Herald Sun

AS NORTH Melbourne coach Brad Scott sought out his Hawthorn counterpart during the last quarter seeking to call today's practice match off early it spoke volumes for what the Roos were trying to get out of the day.

Granted it was pelting down with rain at Craigieburn's Highgate Reserve, and with the Hawks ahead on the scoreboard by some 81 points there was little to gain from playing out the final 15 or so minutes.

But still, North - minus up to 13 of its best 22 - were in the northern suburbs purely for a practice match, not a Round 1 tune up.

Calling the match off early was the only thing needed to ensure the club's No.1 objective for the day was met - not suffering any injuries heading in to its clash with Collingwood in a fortnight.

"I think everyone had just about headed for cover,'' Scott said.

nm#3, Ryan Bastinac Picture: Scott Chris Source: Herald Sun

"The Hawks wanted to shorten the last quarter anyway and then when the rain came it was just handy having the coaches boxes next to each other (so such a decision could be made).

"When the weather's like that two weeks before Round 1 you're just worried about getting your players through unscathed.

"We came in to the game with a genuine practice match mentality.''

There were no injuries to speak of for North Melbourne, but the club does have a Match Review Panel concern.

Former Gold Coast defender Taylor Hine - who Scott suggested was in line for a Round 1 call up - was reported for making forceful front on contact on Jack Gunston in the third term.

Gunston was bending down to pick up the ball, but was collected in the head by Hine's hip and, if precedent is anything to go by, would be facing a nervous wait for the MRP's verdict.

The undermanned Roos were competitive in the first half and Scott was pleased with the endeavour, but ultimately numbers told as a near full-strength Hawks line-up ran out 19.8 (122) to 5.11 (41) winners.

Brent Harvey, playing his last game before a six-week suspension layoff for the season proper, kicked two goals, as did Drew Petrie.

Ryan Bastinac was a spark in the middle, while Nathan Grima wracked up an impressive 26 possessions as he strengthened his Round 1 claims by playing a full game.

Otherwise, game time for specific players was the name of the day for Scott and his men.

"We've got about, by my rough calculations, two or three spots that 10 or 12 players are putting their hands up for so we wanted to give them really good opportunities to try and push their case against what was pretty much a Round 1 dress rehearsal (line-up) for Hawthorn.''

The battle for North's No.1 ruck spot continues - Todd Goldstein had 19 hitouts and six possessions to Daniel Currie's 16 hitouts and four possessions.

Scott said Goldstein's first quarter was his best quarter of footy  "in two or three years'' and admitted Currie "wasn't as good today'' before endorsing his pre-season as a whole.

Scott said the coaching staff had a tough decision to make, but conceded it was unlikely he would play both in the one team throughout the season proper.

"Who does it in the AFL these days? The Swans did it, but one of the rucks plays key forward. West Coast do it because (Nic) Naitanui is a rare athlete,'' he said.
 

"Other than that there are very few clubs who can do it with one on the bench and three substitutes. I'd say it would be very unlikely we would go that way, but it's a good problem to have.''
 

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