R1 2017. Hows it look?

[osaka mick]

FB. LMac Tarrant Hansen
HB. Atley Thompson Wright
C. Wells Cunnington JMac
HF. Anderson Brown Higgins
FF. Thomas Waite Wood
R. Goldstein Swallow JZ
Int. Jacobs, Gibson, Clarke, Dumont
Eme: Daw, Mullet, Garner


This is still basically without any new players (minus Clarke), so all the doom and gloom isnt as accurate as people might suggest. If we also snag a few FA or good trades, we still have depth in our high end draft picks, such as McKay, Durdin, Hibberd with another preseason under their belts, as well as potentially Black, Mountford, Wagner, Turner, EVW, & Nielson

 

[nicko74]

FB. LMac Tarrant Hansen
HB. Atley Thompson Wright
C. Wells Cunnington JMac
HF. Anderson Brown Higgins
FF. Thomas Waite Wood
R. Goldstein Swallow JZ
Int. Jacobs, Gibson, Clarke, Dumont
Eme: Daw, Mullet, Garner


This is still basically without any new players (minus Clarke), so all the doom and gloom isnt as accurate as people might suggest. If we also snag a few FA or good trades, we still have depth in our high end draft picks, such as McKay, Durdin, Hibberd with another preseason under their belts, as well as potentially Black, Mountford, Wagner, Turner, EVW, & Nielson

Still a slow midfield. Hopefully we can trade to sort that out

 

[The Nostradamus]

B: Wright Tarrant Vickers-Willis
HB: McDonald Thompson Atley
C: Wells Ziebell O'Meara
HF: Mayne Daw Higgins
F: Thomas Brown Wood
R: Goldstein Cunnington Swallow
I: Jacobs Macmillan Clarke Dumont/Garner

 

[FastLife]

Find Some Pace in the Midfield We'll be a much better team next season. Hopefully we can get some luck with the health of a younger players next season. A Full Year of Wood,Garner,Anderson,McDonald would be fantastic. Wood and McDonald are potential stars.

 

[royalblue92]

Who would be more likely to take Dal Santo's spot - Dumont, Bmac or other? Kick out's included

 

[Roosurgence]

Who would be more likely to take Dal Santo's spot - Dumont, Bmac or other? Kick out's included

BMac? LOL

Will be lucky to even be on the list.

 

[Kciza]

Who would be more likely to take Dal Santo's spot - Dumont, Bmac or other? Kick out's included

Froggy you would think. Actually a good replacement. Dumont is clean by hand and foot, and makes good decisions; much like Dal. The plus is Dumont is better at tackling and winning contested ball.

 

[tazaa]

B: Wright Tarrant Thompson
HB: McDonald Hansen MacMillan
C: Wells Omeara Higgins
HF: Anderson Waite Ziebell
F: Brown Wood Thomas
R: Goldstein Cunnington Swallow
I: Garner Dumont Gibson Jacobs
E: Clarke Daw Turner

I think we will secure a second big name on top of Omeara.
I hope it's a key defender as I don't rate Lachy as a second tall.
I also think Atley will be traded.

 

[ArjenTheGreat]

FB: Wright - Thompson - Vickers
HB: Atley - Tarrant - Wells
C: Higgins - McDonald - MacMillan
HF: Garner - Brown - Wood
F: Ziebell - Waite - Turner
R: Goldstein - Cunners - Stringer
I/C: Daw Anderson Dumont Clarke

Em : Thomas - Hibberd - Jacobs

 

[Mr north man]

B: Wright Tarrant Thompson
HB: McDonald Hansen MacMillan
C: Wells Omeara Higgins
HF: Anderson Waite Ziebell
F: Brown Wood Thomas
R: Goldstein Cunnington Swallow
I: Garner Dumont Gibson Jacobs
E: Clarke Daw Turner

I think we will secure a second big name on top of Omeara.
I hope it's a key defender as I don't rate Lachy as a second tall.
I also think Atley will be traded.

Anderson won't be in my side cut our loses delist him a plasm in the pan Hansen won't be there Waite? Gibson? zieball and Cunnington and swallow can't play all 3 in midfield? New blood and pace please as we go into year 1 of a 7 year rebuild

 

[tazaa]

Anderson won't be in my side cut our loses delist him a plasm in the pan Hansen won't be there Waite? Gibson? zieball and Cunnington and swallow can't play all 3 in midfield? New blood and pace please as we go into year 1 of a 7 year rebuild

You want new blood and pace and yet you cut Anderson?
Hansen needs to be there since Spud isn't.
Brown and Wood need Waite next year.
We're not rebuilding. We have too many players like Tarrant, MacMillan, Higgins, Ziebell, Cunnington, Golstein in their prime to rebuild.

 

[Boomerfan99]

FB: Hibberd - Thompson - Vickers-Willis
HB: Atley - Tarrant - Wells
C: Higgins - McDonald - MacMillan
HF: Garner - Brown - Wood
F: Ziebell - Waite - Turner
R: Goldstein - Cunnington - O'Meara
I/C: Daw - Anderson - Dumont - Clarke

Em : Thomas - Wright - Jacobs

You don't want Gibson in side but you have daw in there to miss shots from 10 meters out?

 

[TruRoos7]

Yep things are looking rosie, except the part your relying on a 34yr old injury prone forward, a 31yr old injury prone outside runner in wells, a ball butcher in Gibson, a speculative mid that can't get on the field due to injury o'meara. Ah but it's ok we cut out the cancer that wasn't any good in boomer (who provided nothing). Yep all looks good for our rebuild...

 

[Valian]

Yep things are looking rosie, except the part your relying on a 34yr old injury prone forward, a 31yr old injury prone outside runner in wells, a ball butcher in Gibson, a speculative mid that can't get on the field due to injury o'meara. Ah but it's ok we cut out the cancer that wasn't any good in boomer (who provided nothing). Yep all looks good for our rebuild...

doesnt look any good , theres no Boomer in there to run riot & kick 6 like he was able to do. 2017 aint gonna be pretty,MO

 

[giantroo]

Rating the young Kangaroos who will replace departing veterans

SAM LANDSBERGER, Herald Sun
August 25, 2016 7:32pm

THE dusty birth certificates at North Melbourne have given rise to a running joke for years.

From dad’s army to the AFL retirement village, the Kangas have long been depicted as footy’s senior citizen.

And the numbers don’t do the Roos any favours.

North Melbourne and Fremantle were the only clubs to enter 2016 with an average age above 25 and the Kangaroos’ Round 1 average of 124.4 games had every club covered.

It’s no surprise. With outliers like Brent Harvey and Drew Petrie jumping up and down on one end of the scales, that’s what you get.

But when you peel back the wrinkly layer of coach Brad Scott’s list, the remains surprise.

The Kangas are youthful. In fact, their rigid draft strategy has seen the club increase its number of selections in the early rounds for several years.

Last year it was four players in the top 45. In 2014 it was three in the first 30 and in 2013 North went bang, bang, bang with Luke McDonald, Trent Dumont and Ben Brown.

The cream from other clubs — Shaun Higgins, Nick Dal Santo and Jarrad Waite — came at little expense as Scott aggressively hunted a flag.

They were signed as free agents, meaning the price North paid was in dollars and game time, but not at the draft.

The spread of age at Arden St is not a problem. The question is this — is North Melbourne’s next wave any good?

The answer is unknown. Richmond’s 21 top-30 picks ranks second in the AFL and the Kangaroos are just shy with 19.

But the club’s two debutants this season is the fewest in the competition, just as its one last year was.

Ryan Clarke has impressed in his six AFL games this year.

Ryan Clarke had to wait until Dal Santo was struck down by gastro to get a game as a late change this year.

A fortnight later and Scott declared he was “one of the brightest young players in the competition”.

Clarke pocketed just North’s third Rising Star nominee in six years while the Kangas were the only club overlooked in the 50-man AFLPA under-22 squad.

Clarke looks a find.

He is a gut-runner who wins the ball at every level. Dumont looks comfortable at AFL level and forwards Ben Brown and Mason Wood have star potential.

As for the rest? Who knows. Only Kangaroo fans who venture out to Werribee games have had a look at the 2015 class — Ed Vickers-Willis, Daniel Nielson and Sam Durdin.

Last year’s prized pick — Ben McKay — needs a splash of confidence and a rise in disposals to be considered, even if twin brother Harry is being fast-tracked at Carlton.

McKay stands 199cm and 95kg, kicked three goals against Essendon and featured on the emergency list the week. He has signed a two-year contract extension in a promising sign.

Swingman Durdin was always going to take time and, in fairness, Vickers-Willis and Nielson suffered knee injuries in year one.

But the closest any of that batch has come to a debut was when Daniel Wells pulled up lame in the pre-game warm-up against Collingwood and was nearly replaced by Vickers-Willis.

Ed Vickers-Willis takes a strong mark for Werribee. Picture: Carmelo Bazzano

Key-position prospect Ben McKay at Kangaroos training. Picture: Colleen Petch

The kid with a hyphen was dubbed “Mr Fix-It” in his draft year — he could plug a hole anywhere.

Last week that position was in defence in the VFL on Western Bulldog Jake Stringer, and he was best-afield with 20 disposals, eight marks and nine tackles.

Declan Mountford was a late pick last year but played well against George Horlin-Smith recently while Mitch Hibberd mixes endurance with speed.

Chairman James Brayshaw said the Roos needed a “pretty aggressive reset” to help North win its fifth premiership.

Well, four holes just opened up in the best 22. And the replacements have already been assembled.

HIGH HOPES

North Melbourne’s “joeys” selected at the past three AFL national drafts.

2015

21 Ben McKay 0 games (swing man)

31 Ryan Clarke 6 (midfielder)

33 Mitch Hibberd 0 (half-back)

43 Corey Wagner 4 (midfielder)

60 Declan Mountford 0 (midfielder)

2014

16 Sam Durdin 0 (swing man)

25 Daniel Nielson 0 (key defender)

36 Ed Vickers-Willis 0 (key defender)

2013

8 Luke McDonald 50 (defender)

30 Trent Dumont 18 (midfielder)

47 Ben Brown 53 (key forward)

 

[TruRoos7]

doesnt look any good , theres no Boomer in there to run riot & kick 6 like he was able to do. 2017 aint gonna be pretty,MO

Just merely pointing out the team has the same flaws as the team of the past 5 years. Sure we might add a player like o'meara ( but he may never play ), we are still relying on 2 30+yr olds (with injury history) in Waite and wells to move the ball and kick goals, all this team is as listed is the return of our injured players and added a couple of young guys to take drew and dals spots.

 

[TruRoos7]

Rating the young Kangaroos who will replace departing veterans

SAM LANDSBERGER, Herald Sun
August 25, 2016 7:32pm

THE dusty birth certificates at North Melbourne have given rise to a running joke for years.

From dad’s army to the AFL retirement village, the Kangas have long been depicted as footy’s senior citizen.

And the numbers don’t do the Roos any favours.

North Melbourne and Fremantle were the only clubs to enter 2016 with an average age above 25 and the Kangaroos’ Round 1 average of 124.4 games had every club covered.

It’s no surprise. With outliers like Brent Harvey and Drew Petrie jumping up and down on one end of the scales, that’s what you get.

But when you peel back the wrinkly layer of coach Brad Scott’s list, the remains surprise.

The Kangas are youthful. In fact, their rigid draft strategy has seen the club increase its number of selections in the early rounds for several years.

Last year it was four players in the top 45. In 2014 it was three in the first 30 and in 2013 North went bang, bang, bang with Luke McDonald, Trent Dumont and Ben Brown.

The cream from other clubs — Shaun Higgins, Nick Dal Santo and Jarrad Waite — came at little expense as Scott aggressively hunted a flag.

They were signed as free agents, meaning the price North paid was in dollars and game time, but not at the draft.

The spread of age at Arden St is not a problem. The question is this — is North Melbourne’s next wave any good?

The answer is unknown. Richmond’s 21 top-30 picks ranks second in the AFL and the Kangaroos are just shy with 19.

But the club’s two debutants this season is the fewest in the competition, just as its one last year was.

Ryan Clarke has impressed in his six AFL games this year.

Ryan Clarke had to wait until Dal Santo was struck down by gastro to get a game as a late change this year.

A fortnight later and Scott declared he was “one of the brightest young players in the competition”.

Clarke pocketed just North’s third Rising Star nominee in six years while the Kangas were the only club overlooked in the 50-man AFLPA under-22 squad.

Clarke looks a find.

He is a gut-runner who wins the ball at every level. Dumont looks comfortable at AFL level and forwards Ben Brown and Mason Wood have star potential.

As for the rest? Who knows. Only Kangaroo fans who venture out to Werribee games have had a look at the 2015 class — Ed Vickers-Willis, Daniel Nielson and Sam Durdin.

Last year’s prized pick — Ben McKay — needs a splash of confidence and a rise in disposals to be considered, even if twin brother Harry is being fast-tracked at Carlton.

McKay stands 199cm and 95kg, kicked three goals against Essendon and featured on the emergency list the week. He has signed a two-year contract extension in a promising sign.

Swingman Durdin was always going to take time and, in fairness, Vickers-Willis and Nielson suffered knee injuries in year one.

But the closest any of that batch has come to a debut was when Daniel Wells pulled up lame in the pre-game warm-up against Collingwood and was nearly replaced by Vickers-Willis.

Ed Vickers-Willis takes a strong mark for Werribee. Picture: Carmelo Bazzano

Key-position prospect Ben McKay at Kangaroos training. Picture: Colleen Petch

The kid with a hyphen was dubbed “Mr Fix-It” in his draft year — he could plug a hole anywhere.

Last week that position was in defence in the VFL on Western Bulldog Jake Stringer, and he was best-afield with 20 disposals, eight marks and nine tackles.

Declan Mountford was a late pick last year but played well against George Horlin-Smith recently while Mitch Hibberd mixes endurance with speed.

Chairman James Brayshaw said the Roos needed a “pretty aggressive reset” to help North win its fifth premiership.

Well, four holes just opened up in the best 22. And the replacements have already been assembled.

HIGH HOPES

North Melbourne’s “joeys” selected at the past three AFL national drafts.

2015

21 Ben McKay 0 games (swing man)

31 Ryan Clarke 6 (midfielder)

33 Mitch Hibberd 0 (half-back)

43 Corey Wagner 4 (midfielder)

60 Declan Mountford 0 (midfielder)

2014

16 Sam Durdin 0 (swing man)

25 Daniel Nielson 0 (key defender)

36 Ed Vickers-Willis 0 (key defender)

2013

8 Luke McDonald 50 (defender)

30 Trent Dumont 18 (midfielder)

47 Ben Brown 53 (key forward)

There in lies the problem, Scott didn't give these guys a run, due to injury and other factors such as playing Ray farren and Nahas and injured players ahead of them.
Can't blame the kids for not coming on or being given a chance to shine. They weren't allowed to, Clarke was a find once he got a run, in all due respect would Mason have got a game had garner not been injured.

 

[Hearts to hearts]

There in lies the problem, Scott didn't give these guys a run, due to injury and other factors such as playing Ray farren and Nahas and injured players ahead of them.
Can't blame the kids for not coming on or being given a chance to shine. They weren't allowed to, Clarke was a find once he got a run, in all due respect would Mason have got a game had garner not been injured.

And now the club has made a radical move to fix that problem. So you'd be pretty happy about that?

 

[B4Bear]

And now the club has made a radical move to fix that problem. So you'd be pretty happy about that?

Happy? Does that fit the hate Brad Scott narrative? Nope, thus not happy.

 

[TruRoos7]

As I've stated to move dal, drew and spud on yep sure, I still think boomer had more to offer.
Whilst it's a good start to move on those players, it doesn't address our glaring deficiencies, will Brad have the balls to drop injured players, will Brad have the balls to drop underperforming players, will we draft some flog from another club that offers nothing, will we see spuds like Nahas and Ray on the list even as "experienced depth". Will this change the perception of us as a destination club. There are so many unknowns, time will tell, I wont be burning my membership over no boomer.

 

[Benno_900]

B: Wright - Tarrant - Atley
HB: Macmillan - Thompson - EVW
C: Wood - McDonald - Clarke
HF: Ziebell - Brown - Wells
F: Higgins - Majak - Waite
R: Goldstein - Cunnington - Dumont
I: Gibson - Jacobs - Swallow - Thomas

This team isn't too bad. Depth is an issue.

 

[ArjenTheGreat]

You don't want Gibson in side but you have daw in there to miss shots from 10 meters out?

I've cut the list pretty deep.

Ray, Nahas delisted
Swallow, Hansen, Gibson, Black all traded with picks for pick upgrades.

Rating the young Kangaroos who will replace departing veterans

SAM LANDSBERGER, Herald Sun
August 25, 2016 7:32pm

THE dusty birth certificates at North Melbourne have given rise to a running joke for years.

From dad’s army to the AFL retirement village, the Kangas have long been depicted as footy’s senior citizen.

And the numbers don’t do the Roos any favours.

North Melbourne and Fremantle were the only clubs to enter 2016 with an average age above 25 and the Kangaroos’ Round 1 average of 124.4 games had every club covered.

It’s no surprise. With outliers like Brent Harvey and Drew Petrie jumping up and down on one end of the scales, that’s what you get.

But when you peel back the wrinkly layer of coach Brad Scott’s list, the remains surprise.

The Kangas are youthful. In fact, their rigid draft strategy has seen the club increase its number of selections in the early rounds for several years.

Last year it was four players in the top 45. In 2014 it was three in the first 30 and in 2013 North went bang, bang, bang with Luke McDonald, Trent Dumont and Ben Brown.

The cream from other clubs — Shaun Higgins, Nick Dal Santo and Jarrad Waite — came at little expense as Scott aggressively hunted a flag.

They were signed as free agents, meaning the price North paid was in dollars and game time, but not at the draft.

The spread of age at Arden St is not a problem. The question is this — is North Melbourne’s next wave any good?

The answer is unknown. Richmond’s 21 top-30 picks ranks second in the AFL and the Kangaroos are just shy with 19.

But the club’s two debutants this season is the fewest in the competition, just as its one last year was.

Ryan Clarke has impressed in his six AFL games this year.

Ryan Clarke had to wait until Dal Santo was struck down by gastro to get a game as a late change this year.

A fortnight later and Scott declared he was “one of the brightest young players in the competition”.

Clarke pocketed just North’s third Rising Star nominee in six years while the Kangas were the only club overlooked in the 50-man AFLPA under-22 squad.

Clarke looks a find.

He is a gut-runner who wins the ball at every level. Dumont looks comfortable at AFL level and forwards Ben Brown and Mason Wood have star potential.

As for the rest? Who knows. Only Kangaroo fans who venture out to Werribee games have had a look at the 2015 class — Ed Vickers-Willis, Daniel Nielson and Sam Durdin.

Last year’s prized pick — Ben McKay — needs a splash of confidence and a rise in disposals to be considered, even if twin brother Harry is being fast-tracked at Carlton.

McKay stands 199cm and 95kg, kicked three goals against Essendon and featured on the emergency list the week. He has signed a two-year contract extension in a promising sign.

Swingman Durdin was always going to take time and, in fairness, Vickers-Willis and Nielson suffered knee injuries in year one.

But the closest any of that batch has come to a debut was when Daniel Wells pulled up lame in the pre-game warm-up against Collingwood and was nearly replaced by Vickers-Willis.

Ed Vickers-Willis takes a strong mark for Werribee. Picture: Carmelo Bazzano

Key-position prospect Ben McKay at Kangaroos training. Picture: Colleen Petch

The kid with a hyphen was dubbed “Mr Fix-It” in his draft year — he could plug a hole anywhere.

Last week that position was in defence in the VFL on Western Bulldog Jake Stringer, and he was best-afield with 20 disposals, eight marks and nine tackles.

Declan Mountford was a late pick last year but played well against George Horlin-Smith recently while Mitch Hibberd mixes endurance with speed.

Chairman James Brayshaw said the Roos needed a “pretty aggressive reset” to help North win its fifth premiership.

Well, four holes just opened up in the best 22. And the replacements have already been assembled.

HIGH HOPES

North Melbourne’s “joeys” selected at the past three AFL national drafts.

2015

21 Ben McKay 0 games (swing man)

31 Ryan Clarke 6 (midfielder)

33 Mitch Hibberd 0 (half-back)

43 Corey Wagner 4 (midfielder)

60 Declan Mountford 0 (midfielder)

2014

16 Sam Durdin 0 (swing man)

25 Daniel Nielson 0 (key defender)

36 Ed Vickers-Willis 0 (key defender)

2013

8 Luke McDonald 50 (defender)

30 Trent Dumont 18 (midfielder)

47 Ben Brown 53 (key forward)

Almost a balanced article.

Except the draft analysis doesn't go deep enough, should have gone further back to the beginning of Brads tenure.

Also no mention of Garner (already turned the tide in a final ffs), Turner (game saving smother in a semi) and Jacobs, still an inexperienced player but showed really good signs earlier this year and has turned his career around comprehensively.

 

[DrZaius]

Rating the young Kangaroos who will replace departing veterans

SAM LANDSBERGER, Herald Sun
August 25, 2016 7:32pm

THE dusty birth certificates at North Melbourne have given rise to a running joke for years.

From dad’s army to the AFL retirement village, the Kangas have long been depicted as footy’s senior citizen.

And the numbers don’t do the Roos any favours.

North Melbourne and Fremantle were the only clubs to enter 2016 with an average age above 25 and the Kangaroos’ Round 1 average of 124.4 games had every club covered.

It’s no surprise. With outliers like Brent Harvey and Drew Petrie jumping up and down on one end of the scales, that’s what you get.

But when you peel back the wrinkly layer of coach Brad Scott’s list, the remains surprise.

The Kangas are youthful. In fact, their rigid draft strategy has seen the club increase its number of selections in the early rounds for several years.

Last year it was four players in the top 45. In 2014 it was three in the first 30 and in 2013 North went bang, bang, bang with Luke McDonald, Trent Dumont and Ben Brown.

The cream from other clubs — Shaun Higgins, Nick Dal Santo and Jarrad Waite — came at little expense as Scott aggressively hunted a flag.

They were signed as free agents, meaning the price North paid was in dollars and game time, but not at the draft.

The spread of age at Arden St is not a problem. The question is this — is North Melbourne’s next wave any good?

The answer is unknown. Richmond’s 21 top-30 picks ranks second in the AFL and the Kangaroos are just shy with 19.

But the club’s two debutants this season is the fewest in the competition, just as its one last year was.

Ryan Clarke has impressed in his six AFL games this year.

Ryan Clarke had to wait until Dal Santo was struck down by gastro to get a game as a late change this year.

A fortnight later and Scott declared he was “one of the brightest young players in the competition”.

Clarke pocketed just North’s third Rising Star nominee in six years while the Kangas were the only club overlooked in the 50-man AFLPA under-22 squad.

Clarke looks a find.

He is a gut-runner who wins the ball at every level. Dumont looks comfortable at AFL level and forwards Ben Brown and Mason Wood have star potential.

As for the rest? Who knows. Only Kangaroo fans who venture out to Werribee games have had a look at the 2015 class — Ed Vickers-Willis, Daniel Nielson and Sam Durdin.

Last year’s prized pick — Ben McKay — needs a splash of confidence and a rise in disposals to be considered, even if twin brother Harry is being fast-tracked at Carlton.

McKay stands 199cm and 95kg, kicked three goals against Essendon and featured on the emergency list the week. He has signed a two-year contract extension in a promising sign.

Swingman Durdin was always going to take time and, in fairness, Vickers-Willis and Nielson suffered knee injuries in year one.

But the closest any of that batch has come to a debut was when Daniel Wells pulled up lame in the pre-game warm-up against Collingwood and was nearly replaced by Vickers-Willis.

Ed Vickers-Willis takes a strong mark for Werribee. Picture: Carmelo Bazzano

Key-position prospect Ben McKay at Kangaroos training. Picture: Colleen Petch

The kid with a hyphen was dubbed “Mr Fix-It” in his draft year — he could plug a hole anywhere.

Last week that position was in defence in the VFL on Western Bulldog Jake Stringer, and he was best-afield with 20 disposals, eight marks and nine tackles.

Declan Mountford was a late pick last year but played well against George Horlin-Smith recently while Mitch Hibberd mixes endurance with speed.

Chairman James Brayshaw said the Roos needed a “pretty aggressive reset” to help North win its fifth premiership.

Well, four holes just opened up in the best 22. And the replacements have already been assembled.

HIGH HOPES

North Melbourne’s “joeys” selected at the past three AFL national drafts.

2015

21 Ben McKay 0 games (swing man)

31 Ryan Clarke 6 (midfielder)

33 Mitch Hibberd 0 (half-back)

43 Corey Wagner 4 (midfielder)

60 Declan Mountford 0 (midfielder)

2014

16 Sam Durdin 0 (swing man)

25 Daniel Nielson 0 (key defender)

36 Ed Vickers-Willis 0 (key defender)

2013

8 Luke McDonald 50 (defender)

30 Trent Dumont 18 (midfielder)

47 Ben Brown 53 (key forward)

A positive article about our youth!?? What world are we now living in?

 

[shintemaster]

R1 2017 looks pretty damn good to me, I think the doom and gloom is massively overstated however we will clearly be substantially more vulnerable in the event of an injury run even remotely like this year. If we manage to avoid this to our prime movers that were down this year such as Goldy, Cunnington, Higgins, McDonald, Hansen, Turner, Garner, Wright & Jacobs the core will be very solid even leaving aside new additions and improvement from the already drafted next batch. I think finals is very achievable with our squad with the caveat that we are more vulnerable to injury to the senior core.

 

[Hearts to hearts]

Rating the young Kangaroos who will replace departing veterans

SAM LANDSBERGER, Herald Sun
August 25, 2016 7:32pm

THE dusty birth certificates at North Melbourne have given rise to a running joke for years.

From dad’s army to the AFL retirement village, the Kangas have long been depicted as footy’s senior citizen.

And the numbers don’t do the Roos any favours.

North Melbourne and Fremantle were the only clubs to enter 2016 with an average age above 25 and the Kangaroos’ Round 1 average of 124.4 games had every club covered.

It’s no surprise. With outliers like Brent Harvey and Drew Petrie jumping up and down on one end of the scales, that’s what you get.

But when you peel back the wrinkly layer of coach Brad Scott’s list, the remains surprise.

The Kangas are youthful. In fact, their rigid draft strategy has seen the club increase its number of selections in the early rounds for several years.

Last year it was four players in the top 45. In 2014 it was three in the first 30 and in 2013 North went bang, bang, bang with Luke McDonald, Trent Dumont and Ben Brown.

The cream from other clubs — Shaun Higgins, Nick Dal Santo and Jarrad Waite — came at little expense as Scott aggressively hunted a flag.

They were signed as free agents, meaning the price North paid was in dollars and game time, but not at the draft.

The spread of age at Arden St is not a problem. The question is this — is North Melbourne’s next wave any good?

The answer is unknown. Richmond’s 21 top-30 picks ranks second in the AFL and the Kangaroos are just shy with 19.

But the club’s two debutants this season is the fewest in the competition, just as its one last year was.

Ryan Clarke has impressed in his six AFL games this year.

Ryan Clarke had to wait until Dal Santo was struck down by gastro to get a game as a late change this year.

A fortnight later and Scott declared he was “one of the brightest young players in the competition”.

Clarke pocketed just North’s third Rising Star nominee in six years while the Kangas were the only club overlooked in the 50-man AFLPA under-22 squad.

Clarke looks a find.

He is a gut-runner who wins the ball at every level. Dumont looks comfortable at AFL level and forwards Ben Brown and Mason Wood have star potential.

As for the rest? Who knows. Only Kangaroo fans who venture out to Werribee games have had a look at the 2015 class — Ed Vickers-Willis, Daniel Nielson and Sam Durdin.

Last year’s prized pick — Ben McKay — needs a splash of confidence and a rise in disposals to be considered, even if twin brother Harry is being fast-tracked at Carlton.

McKay stands 199cm and 95kg, kicked three goals against Essendon and featured on the emergency list the week. He has signed a two-year contract extension in a promising sign.

Swingman Durdin was always going to take time and, in fairness, Vickers-Willis and Nielson suffered knee injuries in year one.

But the closest any of that batch has come to a debut was when Daniel Wells pulled up lame in the pre-game warm-up against Collingwood and was nearly replaced by Vickers-Willis.

Ed Vickers-Willis takes a strong mark for Werribee. Picture: Carmelo Bazzano

Key-position prospect Ben McKay at Kangaroos training. Picture: Colleen Petch

The kid with a hyphen was dubbed “Mr Fix-It” in his draft year — he could plug a hole anywhere.

Last week that position was in defence in the VFL on Western Bulldog Jake Stringer, and he was best-afield with 20 disposals, eight marks and nine tackles.

Declan Mountford was a late pick last year but played well against George Horlin-Smith recently while Mitch Hibberd mixes endurance with speed.

Chairman James Brayshaw said the Roos needed a “pretty aggressive reset” to help North win its fifth premiership.

Well, four holes just opened up in the best 22. And the replacements have already been assembled.

HIGH HOPES

North Melbourne’s “joeys” selected at the past three AFL national drafts.

2015

21 Ben McKay 0 games (swing man)

31 Ryan Clarke 6 (midfielder)

33 Mitch Hibberd 0 (half-back)

43 Corey Wagner 4 (midfielder)

60 Declan Mountford 0 (midfielder)

2014

16 Sam Durdin 0 (swing man)

25 Daniel Nielson 0 (key defender)

36 Ed Vickers-Willis 0 (key defender)

2013

8 Luke McDonald 50 (defender)

30 Trent Dumont 18 (midfielder)

47 Ben Brown 53 (key forward)

I can't remember the last time anyone in the media actually looked at our list and commented sensibly and knowledgably on the younger players. Good to see.