Growing up is hard, but growing up in public is just scary, and the North Melbourne Kangaroos’ development has been very public and a tad acne scarred.
Some days, big white heads and no confidence, other days, crystal clear skin and never looking like being beaten.
Brad Scott has been at the helm since 2010.
He took over a wide-eyed, pimple-faced bunch of kids with a few senior players and the intent was to get back to the powerhouse it once was.
2011 – The growth was obvious but the acne still raw after finishing ninth on the ladder.
2012 – The acne cleared a little and the voice stopped breaking as much, but the West Coast Eagles stunted their growth with a 96-point belting in week one of the finals.
2013 – This year was an outbreak! The acne didn’t clear and the cracks appeared in the throat as the voice box choked in close game scenarios.
The Kangaroos lost ten games by 18 points or less, finishing an unflattering 10th with the sixth best percentage in the league!
When will the scars clear and the Kangaroos finally grow to exceed the potential they have clearly battled?
Expectation sucks, but it seems on paper the list is ready.
The forward half looks potent.
Aaron Black looks free from the shackles of injury and the ever reliable Drew Petrie will hope to spend more time forward with the addition of injury-plagued ruck man/forward Daniel Currie.
Goal sneak Lindsay Thomas will build upon his stellar 2013.
But Robbie Tarrant must play consistent footy to retain his place and give the Kangaroos a big third target.
This forward line has firepower; they were equal second in goals kicked and sixth in marks inside the 50 last season.
They will concern opposition teams throughout the year and if they get enough service from the midfield they will craft goals.
In defence All-Australian Scott Thompson and Lachie Hansen are developing a rare kind of chemistry.
Both can cover key forwards and repel when needed.
Michael Firrito and Sam Gibson are dour defenders, but the key for the Kangaroos is their ability to build from the back line.
The Roos can slice you up from halfback with a host of quarterbacks.
Shaun Atley and Aaron Mullett are skilful from the back half.
St Kilda recruit Nick Dal Santo may be used at the back to provide another weapon and Scott McKenzie has one of the best kicks you’ve not yet seen.
The midfield also looks good.
Skipper Andrew Swallow, Jack Ziebell, Brent Harvey, Daniel Wells, Ben Cunnington and Ryan Bastinac have all now played enough games together to form unity.
With impressive ruck man Todd Goldstein supplying them, this midfield could do some real damage.
Yet the Kangaroos were ranked 10th in contested possessions and 15th in tackles for last year; they will need to toughen up the defensive side of their midfield.
Boom recruit Nick Dal Santo will help the ageless Brent Harvey, who still averaged the most disposals for the club last season.
With Dal Santo, opposition coaches will have to roll the dice on which player to heavily tag, potentially leaving “Boomer” as a third string follower if you consider Wells to be more damaging.
The Kangaroos don’t waste the ball.
They were ranked number one in effective disposals – even better than the premiers.
It’s whether they can compete inside week after week with the top four midfields that will be decisive.
They have a good draw too, only playing one of last year’s top six sides, Geelong, twice.
They like playing at Etihad Stadium; it’s fast and conducive to the Kangaroos game plan.
If you turn last year’s results around, North Melbourne is a very different prospect.
In years gone by I have picked North Melbourne to finish in the top four, but I can’t go that high.
However here’s to the Kangaroos revealing clear skin for 2014 and not letting the growing pains from years gone by hold them back.
Lad-view: Seventh
Syd Barker medal/Best and fairest: Ryan Bastinac
Goal kicking award: Aaron Black
In the hot seat in 2014: Brad Scott, Robbie Tarrant
Player you need to watch: Shaun Atley
Thing most looking forward to seeing in 2014: Nick Dal Santo against St Kilda
Novelty blog award: Proving that I’ve gone through puberty by putting them in the finals
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