North Melbourne young gun Colby McKercher on ‘watch’ after bad habit uncovered: ‘No contest’

Channel 7 commentator Kane Cornes is putting North Melbourne’s Colby McKercher on “watch” after the young gun’s alarming statistic against Geelong on Sunday.

McKercher has quickly established himself as an elite player at the Kangaroos, playing 47 games since being drafted with pick No.2 in the 2023 draft.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Cornes warns McKercher over contested ball

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Playing predominantly in a half-back role, the 21-year-old has impressed with his piercing left foot. But more recently he has been spending more time forward of the ball.

Against the Cats on Saturday, McKercher finished with 23 touches, two goals and 10 score involvements to be among his side’s best.

But he was also the only player on the ground to not record a single contested possession.

Colby McKercher failed to record a single contested possession against Geelong. Credit: AAP

Across the season, he has recorded just 24 contested possessions from eight games.

While McKercher is primarily an outside player, Cornes said he needs to get his hands dirty if he is to take the next step.

“The next one I want to identify, who I think is getting into bad habits, is no contest Colby,” Cornes said on The Agenda Setters.

“So Colby McKercher is a player who I rate highly, so much talent … he did not have a contested possession against a side like Geelong in Geelong.”

“You have to win your own ball. He’s the only player on the ground that didn’t have a contested possession from 24.”

The Agenda Setters host Craig Hutchison interjected, saying McKercher’s role is to receive the ball as their best user.

“Yep, no doubt about that. That is his role. He is their best user. But does Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera go into the contest? Does Nick Dacos go into the contest? Does Harry Sheezel go into the contest? Yes, they do. They’re also there as the distributor and the weapon,” Cornes continued.

“So just don’t get into bad habits. Get those habits out of you.

“We can accept it now at this stage of your career but you don’t want to be seeing this in two, three years’ time where he’s taking kick-outs, getting handball receives, uncontested marks and when the ball is there or a tackle is there to be laid, he does not want to go and seek any form of contact whatsoever.

“So no contest Colby is on watch and I hope he can get that out of his game quickly.”

Cornes went on to say it’s up to the coaching staff to improve his contested work at training.

“So to actually get in the contest at training so that when you’re in that situation, you feel comfortable to accept some contact because right now I don’t feel like he’s comfortable in the contest.”

The Port Adelaide champion also praised Harry Sheezel, and coach Alastair Clarkson, for altering his game style to become more dangerous moving forward.

“So I think that’s a credit to Alastair Clarkson and also Harry Sheezel, which is exactly what I was calling for last year,” he said.

“So to have that respect from Chris Scott to say, ‘jeez, you’ve changed your game, that’s where you’re getting your disposals, we’re going to deploy a tag on you now because we’re worried about your ball use’ is excellent.

“Credit to the club and Harry for the work that he’s put in.”