Three-time All-Australian Nick Dal Santo says he has no problem with ex-teammate Jamie Macmillan standing up for his North Melbourne colleagues, following recent stinging criticism.
Macmillan yesterday revealed to SEN he and his teammates felt ‘disrespected and pissed off’ by comments which described his club as ‘being the least talented side in the competition’ and 'being at least ten years away from a premiership'.
The former St Kilda and North Melbourne midfielder said as a general rule he is happy with players sticking up for their club and giving a bit back, provided they are being respectful.
“I love it that he’s sticking up for his football club. Was it necessary for Jamie MacMillan [to respond], I’ve got no issue with it,” Dal Santo said on SEN Afternoons.
“It’s what he believes, it’s like someone speaking ill of your family or your friends, you stick up for them. I love that about Jamie.
“If people are prepared to say about you and your football club, and he’s sticking up for Ben Cunnington and Robbie Tarrant in particular, go for it.
“I’m comfortable with players sticking up for their club and giving it back a little bit. It’s always respectful.”
Dal Santo felt some of the words used in the criticism may have been too strong, but said while the players may have taken the comments personally, all they can do is focus on pre-season training.
“Some of the wording, ‘the worst list in the league’, I don’t know if those words needed to be used. You could just say they are a poor team, or not a great team at the moment,” he said.
“Do you take it personally? There is things that are said externally, outside of your football club that you take personally, but it’s about what you do about it. All you can do about it is just get back to work.”
North Melbourne begins its 2018 season with a trip to Cairns to take on the Gold Coast Suns on March 24.