The “North Melbourne Takeover” Narrative Doesn’t Stack Up

Don TheStat
Mar 13
2 min read

Another media beat-up landed this week when Tom Morris suggested that Essendon has become a home for former North Melbourne people, framing it as if Brad Scott is surrounding himself with old allies. It sparked some debate among fans, but once you scratch below the surface, the story falls apart pretty quickly.

Let’s unpack it properly.

The Claim

Morris rattled off a list of 13 names linked to Essendon with past North Melbourne involvement. The implication? That Scott is rebuilding the club with “his people.”

But is that actually true?

The Facts

Senior Leaders with Wider Experience

Daniel McPherson (Head of Football)

A decade at Sydney, eight years at Melbourne (finishing just after their 2021 flag). He only spent 10 months at North Melbourne after Scott had left, before being moved on when Clarkson brought in Todd Viney. To frame him as a “North person” is a stretch.

David Rath

Long-time Hawthorn figure and Clarkson’s right-hand man during their premiership years. Never at North. His overlap with Scott was at AFL HQ.

Rebecca Tsotsos

Over 15 years in sport administration and operations in a number of sports, joined North after Scott had departed.

Jake Giannakis

One season in North’s VFL program (again, post-Scott). Previously three years at Collingwood, including their 2018 Grand Final run. Joined Essendon before Brad arrived.

Recent Additions

Cameron Joyce

Did work at North with Brad, yes. But his arrival at Essendon came only a few weeks ago to fill the sudden vacancy left by the passing of Dale Tapping. More recently, he coached Gold Coast’s AFLW side.

Lauren Spark

Premiership player at the Western Bulldogs, works in AFLW player development at Essendon. Was at North post-Scott. Importantly, AFLW isn’t in Scott’s remit.

The Genuine North Links

Of the 13 names listed, only FIVE actually overlapped with Scott at North Melbourne:

Dr Ben Robbins

Relationship dates back to their playing days at Brisbane. Most recently at St Kilda. Yep, that's right, he's a Brisbane person first and foremost.

Ben Brown Premiership player at Melbourne, works in AFLW development. Not connected to the men’s program Scott oversees.

Julian Davis

In charge of Essendon’s Football IT Operations. Joined the Bombers before Scott.

Ben Jacobs

Played under Scott at North, coached at St Kilda before moving to Essendon.

Todd Goldstein & Ben McKay

The two obvious names: both recruited as players in recent seasons.

That’s five names out of 13, with three of those being ex-players, two of whom are still on the field today.

The Reality

Of the 13 names highlighted:

5 actually worked with Scott at North.
4 came directly from North, but only 2 under Scott.
Several others either arrived after Scott had left, or well before he joined Essendon.

It’s hardly the “North Melbourne takeover” it was painted to be.

The Take

This is another case of the AFL media choosing the lazy narrative over the accurate one. Yes, Scott has some past connections at the club, but in an industry as small as the AFL, that’s inevitable. Many of these people bring premiership experience from elsewhere, be it Sydney, Hawthorn, Melbourne, or Collingwood.

To frame this as a North Melbourne clique is, at best, disingenuous.