Every AFL coach longs for the sort of day North Melbourne’s Brad Scott enjoyed on Saturday.
Scott and his staff had the Midas touch at Etihad Stadium as the Kangaroos walloped Richmond by 62 points in an upset result.
From Taylor Hine’s defensive forward role on Brett Deledio, to Levi Greenwood tagging Trent Cotchin in the midfield and then Lachie Hansen taking 15 marks in defence, the Kangaroos’ homework paid rich dividends.
North could do no wrong and Richmond did very little right.
“I said to the players, coaches are never entirely happy,” Scott said.
“There are some things we’ll have a look at that we can do better. (But) it was definitely our most complete performance of the year.”
Hansen was part of a North defence that clogged up Richmond’s attack.
Jack Riewoldt took no marks and Ty Vickery and Aaron Edwards also had quiet games.
Scott said Hansen probably had the most impact of any player on the ground.
Hansen still had one of his moments, somehow kicking the ball into the behind post but, overall, he was outstanding.
Hines also was crucial, restricting Deledio to only 16 possessions.
“Taylor Hine is one of the most competitive young kids I’ve seen in footy,” Scott said.
“That’s what all coaches love – they love the guys who are genuine competitors and coaches love guys you can rely on.
“Taylor is both of those.
While Cotchin was still one of Richmond’s few good players with 25 disposals and nine clearances, Greenwood certainly blunted his influence.
“I rate Cotchin so highly, he’s a genuine superstar, their captain,” Scott said.
“He’s the one that helps their other midfielders play well.
“That was a critical matchup for us.”
But above all, the Kangaroos’ defensive play around the ground was faultless.
North have surrendered the lead several times this season – on Saturday, that was never going to happen.
Scott said their much-loved veteran Brent Harvey set the standard.
“It just goes to show. You can play 350-plus games, but the guy who led us in defensive pressure in our forward half today was Brent Harvey,” Scott said.
“That set the tone for us.
“It just goes to show that when the leaders are doing it, the rest pretty much follow.”
