Player Watch #32: Mason Wood -

Roo Beauty

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Mason Wood is thankful for North Melbourne’s leap of faith in him

REBECCA WILLIAMS, Herald Sun
December 3, 2016 4:00pm


FORWARD Mason Wood says he is determined to repay North Melbourne’s long-term investment in him as he steps up his comeback from knee surgery.

The exciting young goalkicker this year signed four-year deal — tying him to North until the end of the 2020 season — after just 16 games.

But his 2016 campaign was cut short after eight matches when he damaged his medial ligament in North’s Round 16 loss to West Coast.

Now well advanced in his recovery, Wood, 23, is focused on stepping up his game next year and delivering a return for the Kangaroos.

“I guess it is surprising to say that after 16 games that it warrants four years, but that was something me and my manager really pushed for,’’ Wood said.

“So it was amazing to get the backing of the club at the same time to say, ‘Yeah, we’re going to put our faith in you for the next four years’, so hopefully I can repay that faith.


Mason Wood is training freely after recovering from knee surgery. Picture: Michael Klein

“Looking forward, it gives me four years to really dig in and create that spot in the forward line with a few of the other boys ... hopefully it’s longer than four years, but I’ve got four years under my belt.

“With the deal, it’s just expectations on myself more than anything. You have high expectations on yourself and it’s going to set you up for as good as performance as possible.

“I’m ready and raring to go in year one.’’

Wood and North’s first to fourth-year players this week returned from a high-altitude training camp in Utah and he said he felt as fitter than ever at the start of a pre-season.

It has been a trouble-free recovery from what was described as a “freak tackle incident’’.

“I have been itching to get back forever,” he said.

“I had a really good off-season and all that stuff. I guess I was sort of refreshed and ready to go by the end of the season after missing 10 or something weeks before the season was out, so I was ready to go.

“There have been no hiccups so it feels really, really good. Taping is probably the only difference that there’s going to be for the next couple of months.

“I haven’t noticed it at training. It hasn’t held me back and it’s not going to.’’

Following the departure of Drew Petrie, a long-term key-position fixture in North’s forward line, the 192cm Wood sees more opportunity to make his mark.

He said his running capacity and ability to play either tall or small were strengths on which he wanted to capitalise.

“It’s going to be really interesting coming into the NAB Cup to see how they want to structure the forward line,’’ Wood said.

“But the way I see it is there are a lot of blokes going for a few positions, which is the same as every other year, so you have got to make sure you are at the top of that list and be ready to be picked.

“I guess I am a little bit different to the other forwards that we have got here ... let’s say my running capacity is as good as anyone at the club and I can play a little bit taller or smaller and really just mix up that dynamic whatever way they want to go with that forward line.

“So it will be a few things that I need to work on — contested marking and that kind of thing — to make sure that I can play that taller role as well. But I guess having that ability to go either way is hopefully something that Scotty (coach Brad Scott) holds in high esteem because I think that’s my point of difference.’’
Subtle arrogance. Love it.
 

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shintemaster

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He has the bit in his teeth now. Has clearly seen the opening of space on the list - along with good form in 2016 - as an invitation to be the "gun" player of this team. Exciting. Actually, I'm more pumped to see us play next year than I was off season of 2015-16.
 

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DarkPhoenix

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Fantastic Effort from Mase, can't wait for the mid preseason time trial when they're all back into the swing of it, Gibbo and Mason will push each other to their limits.

Also great to hear Preuss leading Group 2, Two Rucks with speed and endurance on the list? Yes please.
 
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Fantastic Effort from Mase, can't wait for the mid preseason time trial when they're all back into the swing of it, Gibbo and Mason will push each other to their limits.

Also great to hear Preuss leading Group 2, Two Rucks with speed and endurance on the list? Yes please.
Agree that was a superb effort.

Been an inspired left field selection so far - how to fit him in (assuming his footy is good enough for AFL) is going to be a challenge.
 

Grogg

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Agree that was a superb effort.

Been an inspired left field selection so far - how to fit him in (assuming his footy is good enough for AFL) is going to be a challenge.
His footy will be good enough.

I'd go as far to say he is tracking at the same rate as Goldy was at the same stage.

I rate him very highly, tbh.
 
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His footy will be good enough.

I'd go as far to say he is tracking at the same rate as Goldy was at the same stage.

I rate him very highly, tbh.
That's a welcome call. His VFL numbers were very impressive this year - now a fitter unit and is size is excellent.

It would great to have pressure on Goldstein's position. I am assuming they can't play together.

 

Jasemon

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Pretty much fast becoming the most exciting player on our list. Got to contain my expectations until he starts to produce output consistently but, barring injury, he could be a superstar this guy.
 

Grogg

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That's a welcome call. His VFL numbers were very impressive this year - now a fitter unit and is size is excellent.

It would great to have pressure on Goldstein's position. I am assuming they can't play together.

Yeah no chance they take to the same field and Preuss is still 2 years away from really challenging Goldstein on the caveat that Goldy returns to his standards of 2012-2015.
 
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