It’s only preseason but ... North Melbourne may have found its new Boomer, plus other pre-season calls
http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/its...s/news-story/2f703f16e6a85644a3238d9d0bb83140
OUT: Brent Harvey. IN: Brent Harvey 2.0?
The shocking departure of the North Melbourne champion was one of the big stories of 2016 but according to former Kangaroo and now Fox Footy commentator Nick Dal Santo, the team has brought in the perfect replacement.
While former Bulldog Nathan Hrovat didn’t star in the final week of the JLT Community Series he was solid, collecting 16 disposals and five tackles in the loss to the GWS Giants.
And Dal Santo believes Hrovat can overcome the other contenders for a half-forward spot in the Roos’ best 22, which include Taylor Garner (DNP on Friday night) and Kayne Turner (three goals in a half).
“We know he’s going to be given opportunity — he’s almost a direct replacement for Brent Harvey,” Dal Santo said.
“He’s got big shoes to fill if he’s going to play that role for North Melbourne throughout the year. He’s back with his old teammate from the Western Bulldogs in Shaun Higgins and we’ve seen through the first two JLT games they work really well together.
“He’s a modern midfielder because he’s able to go up the ground as almost a halfback with that slingshot, he starts at half back and he works so hard. He works so hard forward that he’s able to contribute on the scoreboard or set it up.”
Fellow commentators Alastair Lynch and Dermott Brereton were also full of praise for Hrovat’s potential.
“(It’s) his ability to run off half back and distribute the ball — at their best North Melbourne’s forward line can be potent, when Jarrad Waite gets up and going as well, so I think he’s going to play a critical role,” Lynch said.
Brereton explained he thought he was “stiff in the back half of last year” not to play senior games for the Bulldogs, as the 22-year-old played just four games between Rounds 20 and 23 when injuries continued to take their toll.