North Melbourne coach Brad Scott says the Kangaroos are dealing with internal issues with their wayward forward Lindsay Thomas, who was curiously left out last week because of general soreness.
Thomas, who has battled inaccuracy problems in front of goal, was replaced by Cruize Garlett for last week’s win over Brisbane but will be named in North’s 25-man squad for Saturday’s game against Hawthorn in Launceston.
“There are some things with Lindsay that we’ve been dealing with internally,” Scott told reporters on Thursday.
“The bottom line was last week he wasn’t at his best.
“Lindsay wasn’t perfect. Cruize Garlett was, so we made the late change.”
Scott declined to elaborate on whether any off-field issues were contributing to Thomas’ problems at the club.
“You can continue to ask but I’ve said enough about Lindsay,” Scott said.
“We’ll select our side based on a number of factors once we get down to Launceston but he’ll be named in our 25 tonight.”
The Kangaroos are 4-5 and are desperate to square the ledger before having a bye in round 11.
However they face a tough task against premiership contenders the Hawks who will be smarting following last week’s shock loss to Richmond.
“They’re an outstanding football side. If we let them play the game their way they’re going to be impossible to beat,” Scott said.
The Kangaroos coach said Hawthorn spearhead Lance Franklin would be tough to stop, whether he plays forward or midfield.
“Just anywhere on the ground, he’s a nightmare. He can really do it all,” Scott said, nominating Luke Delaney as a likely candidate to stand Franklin.
“‘Buddy’ (Franklin) plays high up the ground. He’s an elite endurance athlete so we probably need a couple.”
Scott said he was simply seeking a good four-quarter performance from his side after last-quarter fade-outs in their loss to Port Adelaide and win over Brisbane in the past two weeks.
“For us the fade-outs have just come at the end of games,” Scott said.
“I’d be just as concerned about them if they happened halfway through the first or second quarters.
“It’s just our ability with the players who are inexperienced to continue to learn.
“The challenge is to do it for 120 minutes, not 105.”