AFL MATCH SIMULATIONS 2025: vs North Melbourne

[WERRIDEE 5,577]

Who's going to the Norf practice game?

Well I'm going. Free admission so I can invite a few other people who aren't members.

Should be a good game not sure if I'll stay around and watch the reserves I'll see what the rest want to do.

[MT64 1,144]

When is it please.

[Tough Kent 2,138]

Anyone been to the Arden Street ground before? What is parking like? Is public transport a better option from East Malvern?

Thanks in advance.

[Matt Demon 1,571]

I would suggest public transport as there's limited parking.

Also be careful of the elephants 🐘 

[At Least I Saw a Flag 5,315]

Why is it called 'match simulations'? How is that different to a practice match?

[JTR 2,884]

Feb 22 according to this @WERRIDEE  😉

11am, and will be on Foxtel/Kayo for those who cant make it.

[Rab D Nesbitt 8,778]

If you're looking for good omens we last played North there in a practice game in 2021. 

[Bring-Back-Powell 15,262]

Yep, heading to the game. Need to ignore the scoreboard in these match sims and be rationale in the game threads, as Richmond touched us up and North walloped Collingwood in the corresponding games last year.

Last time I went to Arden Street for a game, shortly after the world (or more specifically Melbourne) shut down for the next 18 months so let's hope history doesn't repeat.

There were definitely park restrictions near the oval on that Friday afternoon, and I suspect Saturday parking won't be much better.

You'd imagine out of our genuine best 23 Trac, Spargo, McVee and possibly Viney and Windsor (if the latter 2 haven't recovered) will miss this game. Tholstrupp as well but I'm not sure he's in our best team at the moment.

[BLWNBA 1,444]

51 minutes ago, At Least I Saw a Flag said:

Why is it called 'match simulations'? How is that different to a practice match?

Practice matches are official games which form part of the AFL fixture. Match simulations are organised at inter-club level, albeit, with the use of AFL umpires. 

[Bring-Back-Powell 15,262]

1 minute ago, Rab D Nesbitt said:

If you're looking for good omens we last played North there in a practice game in 2021. 

Sadly it was 2020 at Arden Street. 

https://www.nmfc.com.au/news/558823/roos-schedule-practice-match

In 2021 we beat Richmond in a match sim at Casey in front of closed doors and then lost to the Dogs at Marvel in the official AAMI practice match. 

[demon3165 2,833]

1 hour ago, At Least I Saw a Flag said:

Why is it called 'match simulations'? How is that different to a practice match?

Well, when they do pretend match sims by themselves, it's like dancing with your sister, but match sims against another team is like dancing with your sister's best friend. You don't want to show too much excitement while your sister is there that you interested, so you hold back till the season starts.

[At Least I Saw a Flag 5,315]

17 minutes ago, demon3165 said:

Well, when they do pretend match sims by themselves, it's like dancing with your sister, but match sims against another team is like dancing with your sister's best friend. You don't want to show too much excitement while your sister is there that you interested, so you hold back till the season starts.

I don't have a sister. 

I have 2 daughters though.

[Ghostwriter 4,051]

5 hours ago, Tough Kent said:

Anyone been to the Arden Street ground before? What is parking like? Is public transport a better option from East Malvern?

Thanks in advance.

Definitely public transport. The ground is basically on a main road and parking is very difficult to get. There’s South Kensington train station and North Melbourne train station with Arden St kinda in the middle.

 

[Ghostwriter 4,051]

6 hours ago, MT64 said:

When is it please.

Saturday Feb 22nd at 11am followed by Casey vs North praccy at 2pm. It would be great for folks to stick around for the Casey  match if possible. 👍🏽

[Rab D Nesbitt 8,778]

1 hour ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Sadly it was 2020 at Arden Street. 

https://www.nmfc.com.au/news/558823/roos-schedule-practice-match

In 2021 we beat Richmond in a match sim at Casey in front of closed doors and then lost to the Dogs at Marvel in the official AAMI practice match. 

Thanks BBP. Yes, you're absolutely right. We went down by 6 goals or so at Marvel. I was there and now remember it. 

[Bring-Back-Powell 15,262]

Just now, Rab D Nesbitt said:

Thanks BBP. Yes, you're absolutely right. We went down by 6 goals or so at Marvel. I was there and now remember it. 

No worries. Easy to mix up those sub par years - 2020 and 2021.

[Salems Lot 2,687]

1 hour ago, Rab D Nesbitt said:

If you're looking for good omens we last played North there in a practice game in 2021. 

Edited Thursday at 23:30 by Salems Lot

[Demonland 73,497]

MELBOURNE

Indigenous All-Stars squad members: Kysaiah Pickett, Steven May

Match simulation details: Play North Melbourne on Saturday February 22 at 11am (AEDT), Arden Street Oval (4x25-minute quarters with time on for goals only, plus 2x3-minute scenario play at the end of the second and fourth quarters).

In doubt/won't play: Christian Petracca (ribs), Judd McVee (hamstring), Jack Viney (ribs), Jake Melksham (hamstring), Koltyn Tholstrup (bone stress), Luker Kentfield (illness), Charlie Spargo (Achilles), Tom Fullarton (hamstring)

What to look out for: The draftees. Where Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay line up will be of intrigue to Melbourne supporters. Langford, especially, looks ready-made, with senior teammates speaking glowingly of his size and intensity at training. Lindsay has also impressed, albeit a knee injury has slightly interrupted his first AFL pre-season. Keep an eye, too, on mature-age recruit Aidan Johnson, who has turned heads this summer., The new-look forward line is worth monitoring, too. Jacob van Rooyen and Daniel Turner prepare to join forces as key targets in attack, while maligned swingman Harry Petty is set to shift back into defence. Expect to see the likes of Shane McAdam and off-season recruit Harry Sharp throw their hats in the ring to assume Kysaiah Pickett’s place in Simon Goodwin’s side while the electric hybrid serves a three-game suspension.

NORTH MELBOURNE

Indigenous All-Stars squad members: Jy Simpkin

Match simulation details: Play Melbourne on Saturday February 22 at 11am (AEDT), Arden Street Oval (4x25-minute quarters with time on for goals only, plus 2x3-minute scenario play at the end of the second and fourth quarters).

In doubt/won't play: George Wardlaw (hamstring), Brayden George (knee), Callum Coleman-Jones (Achilles)

What to look out for: Who gets midfield minutes. Despite young gun George Wardlaw’s latest hamstring setback, North Melbourne is stacked for young midfield talent this season. The on-ball brigade will be spearheaded by star Luke Davies-Uniacke — who’ll be one of the big rolling trade and free agency storylines of the year — alongside Harry Sheezel, Jy Simpkin and Tom Powell. Then there’s the likes of Colby McKercher, Finn O’Sullivan and Will Phillips, who’ll all be fighting for more midfield time, while veteran recruit Luke Parker could be another option. North’s centre bounce attendees against Melbourne, as well as the number of players they rotate through the middle, will be an interesting follow.

[At Least I Saw a Flag 5,315]

Stop the presses .... I'll probably attend the 'match simulations' !!

[#11-TonyAnderson 860]

19 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

Who's going to the Norf practice game?

Well I'm going. Free admission so I can invite a few other people who aren't members.

Should be a good game not sure if I'll stay around and watch the reserves I'll see what the rest want to do.

I’m going with my daughter and possibly my son

[WERRIDEE 5,577]

44 minutes ago, #11-TonyAnderson said:

I’m going with my daughter and possibly my son

I'm going with possibly my daughter and my friend couldn't make it.

[bush demon 2,171]

22 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Yep, heading to the game. Need to ignore the scoreboard in these match sims and be rationale in the game threads, as Richmond touched us up and North walloped Collingwood in the corresponding games last year.

Last time I went to Arden Street for a game, shortly after the world (or more specifically Melbourne) shut down for the next 18 months so let's hope history doesn't repeat.

There were definitely park restrictions near the oval on that Friday afternoon, and I suspect Saturday parking won't be much better.

You'd imagine out of our genuine best 23 Trac, Spargo, McVee and possibly Viney and Windsor (if the latter 2 haven't recovered) will miss this game. Tholstrupp as well but I'm not sure he's in our best team at the moment.

The last time l went to Arden St we didn't arrive until 5 mins into the first quarter. Melbourne already had multiple goals on the board. 7? We went on to win by 100 points. Brian Dixon was new coach of North. I think it was 1970.

[bush demon 2,171]

8 minutes ago, bush demon said:

The last time l went to Arden St we didn't arrive until 5 mins into the first quarter. Melbourne already had multiple goals on the board. 7? We went on to win by 100 points. Brian Dixon was new coach of North. I think it was 1970.

It was 1972. Mel 23.17 def NM 6.11.  Melbourne 11 goals to 0 at quarter time. From memory we had 7 goals on the board in first 5 minutes.

[dpositive 1,819]

last time I went to Arden st there was a young bloke no42 who impressed everyone. My mate said he would be a star. No one knew his name but a few supporters were worried that he might drink too much as they thought his nickname was ouzo. Well they were close and my mate was right it was Yze and his first appearance.

Im hoping to get there for both matches with some Nh Melb supporting friends.

Will hope to catch up with GW

[Bring-Back-Powell 15,262]

1 hour ago, bush demon said:

It was 1972. Mel 23.17 def NM 6.11.  Melbourne 11 goals to 0 at quarter time. From memory we had 7 goals on the board in first 5 minutes.

Would’ve been a fun day watching the Dees.