Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has challenged his players to become road warriors as the club attempts to become a “fair dinkum” premiership challenger.
The Kangaroos have turned Marvel Stadium into somewhat of a fortress this year, winning five of their six games at the venue.
But it’s been a different story on the road, with North nursing a 0-5 record away from Marvel this season.
Saturday’s match against Fremantle at Bunbury – about 175km south of Perth – is technically a home game for North given the club’s deal to sell two home fixtures a season to Western Australia over a three-year period.
But although they won’t have the majority of fans on their side, it represents a good opportunity for North to show they can be a force on the road.
“We’re trying to make Marvel Stadium a fortress for us, and we’ve won five of our six games we’ve played there. The next challenge is can you win on the road,” Clarkson said on Friday.
“You’re not going to win every game on the road, I can guarantee you that.
“But the really good sides will win at least half their games on the road, so we’re yet to do that, and that’s the next challenge for us.”
North’s current deal selling two home games a season to WA finishes at the end of next year, but an extension could be on the cards.
Giving up home-ground advantage could potentially hurt North in future years as they challenge for the upper echelons of the ladder, but Clarkson doesn’t see an issue with it.
“Well, if you’re a good side you’ll win anywhere,” he said.
“If you’re going to be fair dinkum about winning at the pointy end, you’ve got to be prepared to play anywhere and play well, irrespective of whether that’s a home crowd or away.”
Ladder leaders Fremantle (11-1) are riding a club-record 11-match winning streak and have been bolstered by the return of Hayden Young from concussion.
But Caleb Serong (calf) will miss a third straight match, while Brennan Cox (knee) and Matt Johnson (hamstring) have joined him on the sidelines.
Meanwhile, first-year Kangaroos forward Lachy Dovaston has received a stern talking-to after being caught up in an alleged late-night egging incident at a Victorian shopping centre.
Police have concluded their investigation and no charges were laid after finding no property or injuries were reported.
“We all make blues as young fellas, don’t we? He’ll live and learn,” Clarkson said.
“Todd Viney our football manager had a quiet little word in his ear, and just said, ‘listen, the egg chucking ain’t a great idea now, so put that to bed’.
“But we’ve all been juveniles at some point … and hopefully he learns his lesson.”
