The fluctuating stock price of the Kangaroos

This year the Kangaroos have been more unpredictable than stock market. More erratic than Melbourne's weather. And more random than a Miley Cyrus film clip.
One day they're up, twerking it out on the MCG, then the next they may as well have stayed in bed and slept through the entire weekend. 

As the ladder stands North Melbourne have beaten 4 of the 5 teams above them, with Geelong the only exception. They have shown that their midfield has the strength to match it with the very best, and their forward line has enough scoring power to keep up with a fast flowing Hawthorn. Yet, there have been far too many occasions where they simply have not turned up to play. 

Round 5 they went through the motions in a convincing loss to Collingwood. The same thing happened against the Gold Coast Suns in Round 7, and again in Round 13 against Adelaide.
Then, within the space of two weeks they lost to bottom dwellers Brisbane by 4 points after blowing an early 22 point lead, to then bounce back the following week and defeat last years premiers Hawthorn by 20 points. And finally they infuriated their fans once again with a loss to Carlton this weekend. 

Following their game against Carlton on Friday night coach Brad Scott took responsibility for their up and down season.

" You always look in the mirror first. Clearly there is something I'm not doing and I haven't found it yet "

But is it really his fault. Sure, he has a part to play in all of this, and maybe he could be harder on the group, or approach games differently.

But these are professional footballers. They are paid to play.
If I was as unpredictable in my job from one day to the next then surely my boss would be showing me the door pretty quickly. North's players need to take a real good look at themselves. This whole charade is all a matter of the mind. How they approach each game is up to the individual, and they certainly should not need a blasting in the media or an inspirational speech from their coach to get them psyched up before each game. 

The ability to be able to motivate yourself is one of the most important characteristics a footballer can have. It is what has made the likes of Ablett and Judd so good over their careers. Whenever their team is down, you can count on them to have a big quarter, or even just lift their team with a single act. 

At present, North Melbourne do not have that. Yes they have leaders. I've always been a fan of Petrie's work but he's not a superstar forward that can win a game off his own boot. And while Swallow is performing week in week out with high numbers this year his impact is not as damaging as other elite midfielders in the comp.
They simply have too many players that go missing during important moments in games. I'm not saying they're an entire team of down hill skiers, but they definitely have far too many front runners. 

They lack belief in their ability to turn games around, and until they can do that on a regular basis they are not going to be the Top 4 side they aspire to be.

Until then I urge all my readers to never put any money on North Melbourne.

They are a punters nightmare and surely would have ruined more multi's than any other team this year. Bet with them against a team below them and they are likely to ruin you, but bet against them when they play someone above them and you're stuffed.

They are as confusing as Inception and as disappointing as The Godfather Part 3. 

But hopefully for their supporters their season has a happy ending.