While Melbourne Demons will be looking to build on their competitiveness in matches rather than focussing on the win-loss column, today we look at North Melbourne who will be looking to build on their exciting finals campaign last season.
Last season
Much hyped as a top four contender they struggled with consistency throughout the year, defeating Fremantle on the road and Hawthorn at Etihad then losing to the likes of Gold Coast and Brisbane.
Roll on Round 20 and the Kangaroos struck form at the right time of the year, gaining confidence against lesser opponents, bar perhaps Adelaide, and hitting the finals with their tails up. A come from behind win against the Bombers and holding on for dear life against Geelong got them to a preliminary final where Sydney simply outclassed them.
A successful year nonetheless where they were able to blood youngsters such as Ben Brown and Luke McDonald while the development of players like Sam Gibson, Sam Wright, Shaun Atley and Ben Cunnington aided their success.
Next season
The loss of Levi Greenwood will upset the midfield but the gambles on Jarrad Waite and Shaun Higgins show a side that is chasing a premiership. Should the gambles pay off they could land an alternative goalkicker to Drew Petrie and an exciting half-forward who can also hurt the opposition on the scoresheet.
A more settled line-up should create greater consistency and will see the Kangaroos around the mark once again. I’ve got them pinned down as sitting in third to sixth but at their best they will be unstoppable.
Who to look out for
Aaron Black was heavily talked about for his marking ability and workrate. Playing every game last season he swapped between the second and third tall forward role and was often used as a focal point with the raw Ben Brown joining the forward line.
With the addition of Waite to the forward line expect Black to push further up the ground providing a tall leading link up coming out of defence. With a clear role he should flourish and become a difficult match-up for opposition coaches.
Needs a big year
Majak Daw comes under heavy scrutiny after being a remarkable draft story. With a six-goal breakout game in just his fourth senior appearance he showed that he is more than capable of mixing it at AFL level. With issues off the field he only managed eight games last year and appears to have dropped down the pecking order.
Ben Brown and Daniel Currie have moved ahead in the support rucking option with Brown also looking to be a lively forward and Currie providing more experience in the ruck. The addition of Waite provides another forward focal point which will allow Petrie to pinch hit in the ruck leaving all signs pointing towards it being difficult for Daw to establish himself in the best 22.
Best 22
FB: Firrito, Thompson, Hansen
HB: Dal Santo, Grima, McDonald
C: Wells, Cunnington, Gibson
HF: Harvey, Waite, Adams
FF: Thomas, Petrie, Black
R: Goldstein, Swallow, Ziebell
I: Higgins, Atley, Wright, Mullett
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