North Melbourne’s coach Alastair Clarkson has acknowledged the daunting reality of his team’s history at the Adelaide Oval, where they have never secured a victory, as they gear up to take on a formidable Adelaide outfit in round three. The Kangaroos have not triumphed against the Crows since 2020 or the Power since 2019, further deepening their challenge ahead.
Despite this historical struggle, Clarkson’s Kangaroos celebrated a resounding 59-point victory over Melbourne last weekend, marking one of their finest performances under his leadership. He is hopeful that the momentum from this match will bolster their efforts as they face the daunting task of taking on the Crows away from home.
Clarkson has expressed his awareness of the difficulties ahead, stating, “We know how tough this game is. We’ve never won at Adelaide Oval, whether that’s against Adelaide or Port Adelaide.” He emphasised the necessity for his team to deliver their utmost performance, recognising that without it, they would fall short. Although the recent victory brought excitement, he noted the significant challenge of playing in unfamiliar territory, where they have historically underperformed.
The coach articulated the need for improved consistency, stating that good teams perform well on a regular basis, a hallmark the Kangaroos have struggled to achieve over the years. He remains optimistic that their consistency will see improvements.
Adelaide has emerged as a dominant force in recent matches, displaying formidable scoring capabilities with a stunning average of 150 points across their first two games, including a significant defeat of St Kilda and a high-scoring encounter against Essendon. Clarkson highlights the importance of limiting Adelaide’s offensive opportunities, particularly their capacity to penetrate their forward line.
He noted, “They’re having in excess of 60 inside 50s, and if you get it into that forward line 60 times, they’re going to kick goals.” The strategy focuses not just on the defensive capabilities of his backline but largely on curbing Adelaide’s supply early on to disrupt their offensive rhythm.
As the Kangaroos prepare for this critical encounter, the weight of their historical challenges at the Adelaide Oval looms large, adding an extra layer of pressure as they aim for their first-ever win at this venue. Clarkson’s insights serve to underscore the need for a cohesive and consistent effort from his players as they seek to overcome both their adversaries and their past.