Scott says ‘Roos primed for big AFL final

Brad Scott calls this a game that has been seven years in the making.

He is confident that North Melbourne are ready for Saturday night’s elimination final, featuring a packed MCG and their fierce rivals Essendon.

Just don’t suggest to the North coach it’s crucial that the Kangaroos win.

Much of the talk surrounding this match has focussed on the two teams’ abysmal September records for the past decade.

They were powerhouses in the late `90s and early 2000s, but North last won a final in 2007 and Essendon in `04.

For all the importance of Saturday night’s clash, Scott is sick of the prevailing opinion outside the club that the `Roos must win.

“It’s quite humorous when I hear all that stuff – ‘aw gee, it’s now or never’ – is it?,” he said at Friday training.

“If we don’t win tomorrow night it’s over, is it?

“There will be next year, but our attitude is we’re primed, we’re ready to play and we can’t wait for the occasion.”

The last time North played in a final, West Coast belted them two years ago by 96 points.

But Scott has said repeatedly that this team is far better prepared and much more ready.

“We’ve been taking away picks in the draft for the last seven years, preparing this side and getting them ready and mature and hardened and resilient enough to perform at this time of year,” Scott said.

“So history – that part of it – doesn’t concern the 22 who will run out on Saturday night.”

Likewise, when it was put to Scott that Essendon would have more support at the match, he immediately shot back with “you reckon?”

Far from being worried about how North will handle a packed MCG, Scott said they will relish the occasion and will have plenty of people at the game wanting them to win.

He made a point of noting that the only fans wanting Essendon to win will be Bombers fans.

“The ground really suits us and that’s where big games are played,” he said.

“We’ve always prepared for that, so we welcome that opportunity.

“We’ve also been overwhelmed by the support this week, not just from North Melbourne supporters, but from everyone else who doesn’t barrack for Essendon.

“We expect our fair share of support.”

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