New Roo to debut

Sporting News Logo

North Melbourne is set to unveil a new youngster, Jamie MacMillan, in Saturday night's clash with Essendon at Etihad Stadium but, according to coach Brad Scott, Sam Wright and Lindsay Thomas are no certainties to play.

MacMillan, a dashing half-back flanker, will make his AFL debut in place of Robbie Tarrant who suffered a broken thumb in last Sunday's win over Richmond.

"He's a young Scotch College boy so he's increased the intelligence level of our 22 dramatically," said Scott of MacMillan.

"He's had a really good month of VFL footy and he's ready to make his AFL debut."

Scott said that Wright hadn't fully recovered from the concussion sustained when he was barrelled from behind by Richmond's Trent Cotchin last Sunday, an action which earned Cotchin a four-week suspension.

He said the selectors were not prepared to take any risks with Wright or with Thomas who has missed the past fortnight with a knee injury.

Scott said that Thomas will not return until he's 100 percent right to play.

"I don't think near enough is good enough for a player whose strength is his agility and his speed," said Scott.

"If his knee is not absolutely perfect then I don't see the point in bringing him back."

Scott was gracious in his praise for former team-mate Jason Akermanis who was sacked by the Western Bulldogs on Wednesday for repeated breaches of the club's standards of behaviour.

"If this is the end of his career, it's the end of an unbelievable career," said Scott.

"To play over 300 games, three premierships a Brownlow Medal, there are very few players who ever reach his heights."

"He's been a fantastic player for a long period of time and if this is the end of his career I think we should reflect on just what a champion he's been."

"But I think it's also worth noting that clubs don't come to these decisions lightly."

"I'm not sure what's happened at the Bulldogs but they've made their decision for their reasons and these decisions aren't made lightly."

"You don't let a player of that calibre go for no reason."

Scott said the Kangaroos' 50-point win over the Tigers had created a positive mood at Arden Street ahead of Saturday night's clash with the beleaguered Bombers.

"We always call it loser's limp when you have a bad loss and struggle to get yourselves up for the next week but there reverse is certainly true when you have a great win," he said.

"The guys know what it takes to win a game of footy and it's a real challenge for them to implement that each week but I think they've got real confidence that if they can play their style they can come away with the result."

Asked whether he had any misgivings about the playing surface at Etihad Stadium, Scott said he believed the stadium management face some significant challenges.

But he said he was prepared to leave the issue in the hands of experts.

"I don't think there is any point saying there is no issue with the surface because there clearly is," said Scott.

"There's clearly a difference with the surface ... but the AFL employ world-leading experts and turf consultants to get that right so I'm confident that everything that can be done is being done."

Author(s)