20/05/2008 12:44 PM
North Melbourne skipper Adam Simpson will have no issue leading his side into home battles on the Gold Coast despite a thankless crowd watching the club's latest Carrara excursion.
The Kangaroos downed West Coast by six points in a tense but largely uninspiring contest in front of just 6354 fans on Saturday night on the Gold Coast.
Simpson and his team-mates had feared a backlash from locals following the club's decision to remain in Melbourne, turning down the opportunity to base itself up north.
The 'home' team was outnumbered in the stands and that scenario is likely when North hosts St Kilda (Round 14) and Brisbane (Round 18).
But Simpson, speaking ahead of training on Tuesday morning at Arden Street, said the sparse stands did not mean the players would dread a return trip.
"We enjoy going up there, we enjoy playing there. We just didn't want to move there," Simpson said.
"It actually didn't feel that bad, the crowd. I watched a bit of the replay and it looked like there weren't many people there, but on the other side of the ground it was not too bad."
"The ground was half-full, it only holds 12 or 13,000. The atmosphere was pretty good."
He said the crowd was not a malicious one, but favoured the Eagles.
"I don't think they are like that up there. I don't think we got booed. There were a lot of West Coast supporters, no doubt about that."
"The crowd was pretty positive, especially when we started coming back there was a bit of atmosphere."
In other news, Simpson said the interchange drama dominating the AFL would sort itself out in the coming weeks.
"I think we'll adjust. I don't think we had a problem with it on the weekend," Simpson said.
"You'll probably see there will be less rotations but I think we will adjust. It won't be that bad."