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Find your Sport Nation frequencyDavid King's seven stages of grief for North Melbourne
Jaiden Sciberras • April 21st, 2025 12:20 pm
Kangaroos legend David King has proclaimed that North Melbourne fans are currently suffering from the seven stages of grief.
North Melbourne’s 71-point defeat to Carlton marks their third straight loss by 50+ points after what was predicted to be a season of growth for the lowly Roos.
Now with a record of 1-5, King believes that North Melbourne fans are in the midst of a grieving process.
“I’m working through the seven stages of grief, King told SEN’s Fireball.
“Shock is the total ineptitude of the whole performance. Where do you start?
“Then it subsides into pain, and I think the pain is evident for all the Kangas fans.
“Anger, start blaming everyone.
“Depression, the feeling of hopelessness. That’s when Twitter (X) kicks in, and all these messages come through, my phone was getting that many messages.
“The upward turn, did you see (George) Wardlaw? As all the Kangaroo fans are saying this week, did you see gorgeous George?
“Then there’s the reconstruction. You’ve got to find a way to get through this and say we’ll be better next week.
“Then hope, hope is when does the AFLW season start.”
King was very critical of North Melbourne's defensive set up, with the back half leaking 152 points on Friday.
After six games, North Melbourne average over 17 goals conceded per game, the worst in the competition.
"I just can't fathom what's happening down back," King continued.
"All principles of defending are lost. There is never a responsibility that's seen through, and there is never the perfect defensive set up, or the stability behind the ball that you would expect.
"You're going to get beaten in the midfield in small patches. Everyone has their run, whether you're a good team in the middle or a bad team in the middle, you're going to have 10 minutes where the other team has dominance.
"You have to be able to hold up, and you have to be able to show that you have answers.
"(Zac) Fisher and (Caleb) Daniel just leak so heavily as small defenders, they give so many luxuries.
"I don't know if you can play either of them. Both is not a discussion, you cannot have both.
"Aidan Corr, a senior body, a senior player in the team to set the standards... (Charlie) Comben, I don't know whether or not this centre half back thing is worth it or not.
"Put him down the other end and see if he can have a win there.
"They are too tall."
With coach Alastair Clarkson copping backlash for his inability to find results, King believes the club should be doing everything in their power to build up the coach's support staff.
"If you are going to get bashed publicly in this role, you'll want to earn what you can earn," King said.
"So, I don't begrudge what he is being paid, but is that affecting what he brings into the club?
"I say to the club, pay the tax. The bloody AFL are funding the joint anyway, if it goes bad you get a hand out anyway.
"Get the best defensive coach, get the best midfield coach and give these young kids a chance.
"Instead of giving them draft picks, give them assistance to develop the younger players that you bring in quicker and more thoroughly."
North Melbourne will look to improve on their poor form as they travel to Adelaide to face the Power this Saturday afternoon.
