North Melbourne have come in for criticism after being thrashed 139-49 by Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday night.
While the sides are clearly at different stages, with the Kangaroos rebuilding and the Demons contending, North Melbourne would have been disappointed to find themselves that far behind a quality outfit.
Even though the scoreline was ugly, North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson tried to find some positives in defeat.
“I think we played better last night than the last two weeks … which the 90 points doesn’t suggest,” Clarkson said post-match.
“When you get beaten by 15 goals, you can’t get the ball inside 50, you get smashed in clearances, but we competed in different areas of the game really, really well.”
In response to Clarkson, Kane Cornes couldn’t disagree with his assessment more, particularly in regard to their start of the game.
The Kangaroos conceded a whopping eight goals in the first term, while in the first 10 minutes, they were already down 30 points, as well as losing the disposal count by 41 and the uncontested possession account by 33.
Cornes described that start as disgraceful and as bad as he’s seen at AFL level, adding that North Melbourne are not only lacking in talent, but overall effort.
“He was watching a different game to me,” Cornes told Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
“The first five minutes of this game was as bad football as you’re ever going to see.
“They are witches’ hats … this is disgraceful vision.
“The victory lap was long when they signed Alastair Clarkson, but it’s quickly finished.
“I haven’t seen anything like it, honestly, it’s embarrassing.
“They need to be better than that, that’s not talent, that’s effort in the first five minutes of the game.”
After winning their first two games, North Melbourne have since lost five straight.
They’ll be up against it when they hope to bounce back against the 5-2 Saints at Marvel Stadium next Sunday.
"The first five minutes in this game was as bad football as you are ever going to see."@kanecornes on the 'disgraceful' vision that shows how far off the pace from the start the Kangaroos were in their loss to Melbourne. #9AFLSFS | @Channel9 pic.twitter.com/VXGKPQa2uJ
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) April 30, 2023