Same Old Story: North Melbourne Under Fire After Heavy 10-Goal Defeat

Damian Barrett has voiced his discontent regarding the Kangaroos, questioning whether the team has made any tangible progress in their rebuilding phase.

On Saturday at Marvel Stadium, North Melbourne suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Sydney, losing by 65 points, with many supporters believing they had a viable chance against an understrength Swans outfit.

Despite the defeat, head coach Alastair Clarkson remained optimistic after the game, encouraging fans to look past the score and recognise the strides they’ve been making.

However, these comments did not resonate well with Barrett, who openly shared his frustrations on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.

“He claims they’re making progress. What progress? What am I not seeing?” he remarked during the broadcast.

“Can anyone tell me what progress has actually been made?

“This football club remains stagnant. The loss last night by 65 points came against a team missing key players like Errol Gulden, Tom Papley, Callum Mills, Lewis Melican, Taylor Adams, Robbie Fox, Justin McInerney, and Harry Cunningham.

“They’ve managed just one win from their opening four matches in 2025, failing to capitalise when it mattered against the Western Bulldogs, showing only a fair performance against Adelaide and securing a win over Melbourne, though I’m not sure what that signifies this year.

“To me, it feels repetitive. They insist they are progressing, they assure us the young talent is promising, and they claim the midfield is solid, yet nothing seems to change.”

Adelaide legend Rory Sloane believes the Kangaroos have indeed made strides this season and noted a conversation he had with his former teammates about their recent match against North Melbourne.

“I chatted with the Crows boys last week, and Tex [Taylor Walker] in particular was very enthusiastic about North Melbourne,” he commented.

“They play with a hard edge and toughness, and at times, you could see that on display.

“But the concern remains: will this be the standard going forward? A good showing followed by a disappointing drop? That’s not the level they should be aiming for.”

Next weekend, North Melbourne will face a formidable Gold Coast side in the Barossa Valley during Gather Round.