North Melbourne has reacted swiftly to another injury-plagued season by overhauling its high-performance department.
The Kangaroos have cleaned out the fitness arm of the club, with several staff told last week that they wouldn’t have their contracts renewed, while others have departed throughout the second half of the season.
David Noble’s encouraging debut season at Arden St came despite an ongoing injury crisis that saw him regularly having to cope without a contingent of first-choice players.
It’s understood the new coach has been irritated by the level of unavailability, leading to a staff cleanout.
Head of-high performance Matt Turnbull left in May, strength coach Alex Moore departed in July and the Roos’ longest-serving football department staff member, strength and conditioning coach Jona Segal, moved on last week.
But their departures have been followed by the resignation of head doctor Bianca Scotney, while assistant strength coach Josh Humphries, rehabilitation co-ordinator Matt Ferraro, sports scientist David Sobey and trainer Alister Wright also departed.
For four consecutive years the Kangaroos have ranked No.1 in the competition for games lost due to injury.
The high-performance clean slate is the latest off-season reset at North Melbourne, following last year’s coaching staff overhaul and league-high 15 list changes.