David King feels North Melbourne coach David Noble was well within his rights to omit Jaidyn Stephenson for this weekend’s clash with West Coast.
The former Collingwood forward-midfielder has been dropped for Sunday’s meeting with the Eagles at Marvel Stadium following a quiet showing in the season opener against Hawthorn last weekend.
Stephenson, 23, had just 11 disposals in the 20-point loss to the Hawks and as a result has met the wrath of North’s match committee.
Kane Cornes and David King discussed the decision to axe Stephenson, with two-time Roos premiership player King completely understanding why his omission has occurred.
“A big name who has been omitted from North’s side, he’s not even in the squad of 25, and that’s Jaidyn Stephenson,” Cornes said on SEN Breakfast.
“They’ve made a statement there.”
King replied, explaining why he supports the move: “I think you have to (make a statement).
“You’ve got to set standards. When you’ve got a young football club and a whole host of young fellas just trying to learn the ropes and be educated on what the AFL system demands.
“You can’t have one of your high prized recruits sifting around the MCG without getting involved in contests.
“There’s no slight on Jaidyn. You go back to the reserves, you find some form, you train hard and come back a better player, a better person.
“He’s miles from the standard acceptable at the Kangaroos at the moment.”
Asked what in particular Stephenson lacked in last weekend’s defeat to Hawthorn, King replied: “Just sheer competitiveness.
“There was an incident last week when the Kangaroos had to start taking some risks. They pulled the ball straight up the corridor to effectively centre half-back and it was going to be a contested situation, a contested marking opportunity. He’s very good in the air. If he goes for the ball with 100 per cent conviction, he marks the ball.
“But because he’s slightly down on confidence he doesn’t even fly for the ball and I think that was the moment the coach said, ‘Nah, you’re out’.”
The Roos have also lost key defender Ben McKay to concussion, but regain Josh Walker and Jared Polec who are among the five players recalled to the squad to face the Eagles.
The match starts at 1:10pm AEDT on Sunday