'Nothing changes': North Melbourne in the gun again following 10-goal belting
Updated . First published at
Damian Barrett has expressed his frustrations with the Kangaroos, wondering once again whether the club has made any progress in its rebuild.
North Melbourne were belted by Sydney at Marvel Stadium on Saturday by 65 points, despite many believing they had a real shot at beating the undermanned Swans.
Head coach Alastair Clarkson remained confident post-game, urging people to look beyond the scoreboard and see the progress they are making.
READ MORE: Tszyu puts rival on notice with dominant comeback win
READ MORE: Huge pay day for Aussie Olympic star in Jamaica
READ MORE: AFL admits Crows robbery after umpiring controversy
Those comments didn't go down well with Barrett however, who expressed his clear frustration on Nine's Sunday Footy Show.
"He just said they're making progress. What progress? What am I missing?" he said. Sunday Footy Show.
"You tell me what progress has been made.
Luke Parker of the Kangaroos and Isaac Heeney of the Swans embrace. AFL Photos via Getty Images
"Nothing changes for this football club. Trudging off the venue last night having lost by 65 points to a team that didn't have Errol Gulden, Tom Papley, Callum Mills, Lewis Melican, Taylor Adams, Robbie Fox, Justin McInerney, Harry Cunningham.
"They're one win from the four matches they've played in 2025, they failed to take and seize a moment against the Western Bulldogs, they were okay against Adelaide, they beat Melbourne but I don't know what that means in 2025.
"To me, it's just rinse and repeat. They tell us they're on the right track, they tell us the kids are good, they tell us the midfield is okay, but nothing changes."
Adelaide great Rory Sloane is confident they have taken a step forward this year, saying he spoke to his former teammates about their encounter with the Roos last week.
"I spoke to the Crows boys last week and Tex [Taylor Walker] really raved in particular about North Melbourne," he said.
"They play hard and tough footy and I think for patches there they saw it.
"But is this what we're going to see every week, a good performance and then a drop off, it's not where they should be at."
North Melbourne faces a red-hot Gold Coast side in the Barossa Valley as part of Gather Round next Saturday afternoon.
