North's Wells unfazed by his career debate - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

North's Wells unfazed by his career debate

By Roger Vaughan 24/03/2011 06:12:19 PM Comments (0)

Few AFL players polarise opinion more than Daniel Wells, but the North Melbourne star and his coach don't care.

Wells and team-mate Michael Firrito will play their 150th senior games on Sunday when the Kangaroos open their season against West Coast in Perth.

There is nothing contentious about Firrito, a tough utility who has played midfield or fullback reliably.

But there is always the argument that Wells, a silky skilled midfielder who was taken at No.2 behind Brendon Goddard in the 2002 national draft, has not quite made the most of his talents.

"The story gets a bit old, I reckon, so as long as my team-mates and my club support me, back me and see the work that I do - everyone else, it doesn't really matter," Wells said.

"It doesn't impact on what you do anyway, it's irrelevant, you still have to perform."

Scott noted that Wells, 26, had signed a new deal with the club, effectively making him a `Roo for life, and said the midfielder oozed class and grace.

"His grace onfield can sometimes be misunderstood for a lack of urgency and that's a fallacy, that's not right, he's an extremely driven person," said Scott.

"I have no doubt Daniel Wells' best football is ahead of him."

Scott is also determined that the immediate future of the team is about increasing success, rather than just the development of an emerging young list.

They will have four newcomers in the side against West Coast - first-gamers Shaun Atley, Cameron Richardson and Cam Pedersen, plus former Eagle Ben McKinley.

"We're not interested in being labelled as a developing side, we're not interested in people talking about our youth, we're interested in success," Scott said.

"It's important I structure up a team that can get that success sooner rather than later."

Scott is confident the `Roos can handle the hot temperatures expected on Sunday in Perth.

He contended the heat might not be an advantage for the Eagles.

"We couldn't have had a better preparation than playing the Bulldogs two weeks ago in 31 degree heat in the middle of the day at Ballarat," Scott said.

"The players handled that really well.

"From my experience up in Brisbane (as a player), I know the cumulative effect of training in the heat, day after day, and trying to recover in the heat is very difficult.

"So I'm really confident we'll go over extremely well prepared ... the heat is not a factor for us."

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