We continue our countdown to the start of the AFL season with a look at the chances of the North Melbourne Kangaroos.
Team: North Melbourne Kangaroos
Homeground: Etihad Stadium (53,000)
Coach: Brad Scott
Season 2010: 9th P-22 W-11 L-11 44pts 87.41%
2011 squad: Leigh Adams, Liam Anthony, Shaun Atley, Ryan Bastinac, Aaron Black, Matt Campbell, Ben Cunnington, Cameron Delaney, Aaron Edwards, Michael Firrito, Cruiza Garlett, Todd Goldstein, Levi Greenwood, Nathan Grima, Lachlan Hansen, Kieran Harper, Brent Harvey, Ayden Kennedy, Ed Lower, Ben Mabon, Jamie McMillan, Hamish McIntosh, Ben McKinley, Scott McMahon, Brayden Norris, Drew Petrie, Daniel Pratt, Brady Rawlings, Cameron Richardson, Ben Ross, Ben Speight, Andrew Swallow, Robbie Tarrant, Lindsay Thomas, Scott Thompson, Gavin Urquart, Ben Warren, Daniel Wells, Sam Wright, Jack Ziebell. Rookie list: Majak Daw, Luke Delaney, Aaron Mullet, Cameron Pederson, Matthew Scott, Marcus White.
Arrivals: Shaun Atley (2010 AFL Draft), Cameron Delaney (2010 AFL Draft), Kieran Harper (2010 AFL Draft), Ben Mabon (2010 AFL Draft), Ben McKinley (traded from West Coast), Cameron Richardson (traded from Gold Coast), Ben Speight (rookie elevation).
Departures: Warren Benjamin (delisted), David Hale (traded to Hawthorn), Leigh Harding (retired), Corey Jones (retired), Nathan O’Keefe (delisted), Josh Smith (delisted).
Season preview: The Kangaroos are a very real chance of playing finals football this year however they will need to be more competitive against the AFL’s top teams.
North’s win-loss ratio against last year’s finalists was 3-9 but with that in mind the Roos only missed the finals on percentage. North had an encouraging season in 2010 under Brad Scott but they were missing some of their best players due to injury. Vice captain Drew Petrie and midfielders Liam Anthony and Jack Ziebell were noticeable absentees.
Already this year, second year player Ayden Kennedy has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee. While Matt Campbell (hamstring strain) and Brady Rawlings (hamstring tightness) were injured during the club’s 13-point NAB Challenge win over the Bulldogs.
North supporters will be hoping for more good footy from promising youngsters Ryan Bastinac and Ben Cunnington, who were impressive in their first year of senior football. While second year player Sam Wright was one of the Roos biggest improvers.
There’s also a lot to look forward to in speedy first round draft pick Shaun Atley and pre-season performer Cameron Richardson.
The Roos midfield is making progress with Leigh Adams, Levi Greenwood and Cruise Garlett all on the rise.
Established player, Brady Rawlings led the AFL for handballs and handballs received while the relentless Andrew Swallow led the league for tackles and most free-kicks. Harvey, Swallow and Rawlings played every game last year and carried the team a lot. They will be looking to lead the club further in 2011 but need more players to step up and help with the workload.
One thing the Roos do like to share is the goals but they are lacking a dominant forward. Leading goal-kicker, Lindsay Thomas booted 29 last year with Aaron Edwards and Harvey not far behind with 25 a piece. North will be hoping for a good show from Ben Warren and new recruit, Ben McKinley who topped the Eagles’ goal kicking with 42 in 2008. Big man David Hale has been traded to Hawthorn while Leigh Harding and Corey Jones have retired, leaving opportunity for younger players to accumulate more senior games.
North Melbourne had the fourth lowest contested marks in the AFL last year as well as the fourth lowest tackles and the lowest ruck duel clearances. Brad Scott will have that in mind as he pushes for a top eight finish this year. He will again blood youngsters any chance he gets and promote quick ball movement particularly through handball.
North Melbourne has worked hard and players like Harvey and Petrie deserve success but it will depend on who else can stand up for the Roos and if they can match it with the best in what will be a tough 2011 competition.
Main man: Brent Harvey. Won his fifth best and fairest (in a tie with Brady Rawlings) in 2010. Averaged 25 possessions a game and kicked 25 goals last year. Harvey led the club and finished 9th in the AFL for inside 50’s and despite his age, the North legend continues to impress. The 32-year-old showed us how capable he still is in round three when he gathered 44 possessions and led his club to victory against West Coast.
X-Factor: Daniel Wells reminded the footy world of his talent last year after an injury affected 2009. When he’s on song, his speed and skill are almost majestic. Wells has re-signed with the Roos for the next three seasons.
Predicted 2011 finish: 11th
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