Opinion Gilbert Gardiner's North power rankings

[Flawed Genius]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...-the-2014-season/story-fni5f986-1226830636085

THROUGHOUT the NAB Challenge SuperFooty and Fox Footy is counting down to the 2014 AFL season by taking the blowtorch to every club’s list.

We’ll list every player and rank them into one of five categories: Guns (in the elite of the competition); stars (very good players who aren’t quite superstars); foot soldiers (regulars who get the job done each week); crossroads (fringe players who are playing for their career or are yet to cement a spot in the side); and who knows (too early to make a call).

We’ve added our expert assessment to highlight the players heading up the rankings with a bullet and those who might be on the slide.

Today the microscope hones in on North Melbourne, a club out to seek retribution following a series of narrow losses last year.

The Kangaroos finished 10th on the AFL table with 10 wins and 12 losses including six by under 10 points.

The arrival of Nick Dal Santo during the off-season adds depth to a midfield that includes Daniel Wells, Brent Harvey, Jack Ziebell, Ben Cunnington and injured skipper Andrew Swallow.

Coach Brad Scott has options at both ends of the ground with Drew Petrie and All Australian full back Scott Thompson the generals.

The big question is, can the Kangaroos live up to expectations? Here is our assessment.

They grouped it into Guns, Stars, Foot Soldiers, Crossroads and Who Knows?

GUNS: Thompson, Goldstein, Harvey
STARS: Swallow, Wells, Ziebell, Petrie, Thomas, Dal Santo
FOOT SOLDIERS: Atley, Black, Bastinac, Hansen, Cunnington, Mullett, Adams, Grima, Gibson
CROSSROADS: Tarrant, MacMillan, Hine, Jacobs, MacMahon, Firrito, Tippett, Harper, Wright, Greenwood, Nahas, Currie
WHO KNOWS?: MacDonald, Daw, McKenzie, Delaney, Dumont, Curran, Wood, Wilkins, Brown, Wallace, Turner, Warren, McGenniss

 

[year of the roo]

Sorry, who's what?

 

[Flawed Genius]

Some of the more interesting little paragraphs:

Lachie Hansen
Age: 25. Games: 99. Position: Utility

It’s taken seven years, but Hansen is finally the real deal. Wasted up forward, the 197cm intercept marking machine has come into his own in defence.

Robbie Tarrant
Age: 24. Games: 38. Position: Forward
Needs to get his body right and repay the faith North has shown in him.

Jamie Macmillan
Age: 21. Games: 58. Position: Midfielder/Defender

A solid linkman out of defence, Macmillan would need to keep improving to hold his spot with the likes of Luke McDonald and Dal Santo expected to spend time in defence.

Liam Anthony
Age: 25. Games: 54. Position: Midfielder
Unfortunately for Anthony, a fully fit Kangaroos midfield doesn’t include the West Australian ball magnet.

 

[indy nile]

What's the difference between a 'Gun' and a 'Star'? Seems like a weird ranking system

 

[Daz]

Not sure what the difference is between a 'gun' and a 'star'.

EDIT: **** it, beaten.

 

[Flawed Genius]

Guns (in the elite of the competition); stars (very good players who aren’t quite superstars);

 

[Only Forwards]

One is a device for firing projectiles.

The other is a ball of gas that is so large its gravitational force causes the fusion of atoms.

 

[indy nile]

One is a device for firing projectiles.

The other is a ball of gas that is so large its gravitational force causes the fusion of atoms.

Going by that you'd assume a star to be better, I guess

 

[spurs]

From guns to superstars we have our 18

 

[Ahern2Boof]

JMac at the crossroads? lol k

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Tippett already at the crossroads and hes been at the club 5 mins.

Okay.


To be fair he was pretty accurate with some of the summations, better than most of the rubbish trotted out for these kind of articles. Seems to have at least done the leg work.

Though I can't get Gilbert Gottfried's voice out of my head while reading it.

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

He's a power ranker.

 

[Winter]

Tippett already at the crossroads and hes been at the club 5 mins.

I can understand why; he's 25 and on a 1-year rookie contract.

Thought he was far closer to the mark than most, although Wells is a gun this aint 2010.

 

[Augustine]

They are some good foot soldiers

 

[Higgins2Waite]

Agreed Winter, Wells is definitely a GUN!

Augustine just noticed your sigs for the first time, love them. Doesn't get much better than those two!!!

 

[Mav]

Wells, dual Syd Barkers
Swallow, 3 Syd Barkers
Dal Santo, tripple All Australian.

Yeah right, these guys aren't as good as Goldie. Guys a flog.

 

[Augustine]

Wells, dual Syd Barkers
Swallow, 3 Syd Barkers
Dal Santo, tripple All Australian.

Yeah right, these guys aren't as good as Goldie. Guys a flog.

While I agree with you, and Wells especially is criminally underrated, over the last three seasons Goldie has been the best player in his position in the competition.

 

[Augustine]

Agreed Winter, Wells is definitely a GUN!

Augustine just noticed your sigs for the first time, love them. Doesn't get much better than those two!!!

It absolutely doesn't get better than those two. Big game tomorrow morning though!

 

[Higgins2Waite]

It absolutely doesn't get better than those two. Big game tomorrow morning though!

Sure is. I like our chances at home (especially with Bayern missing Ribery and Schweinsteiger not 100% fit). Should take a lot of confidence from our game in Munich last year.

 

[scooby1279]

Today the microscope hones in on North Melbourne, a club out to seek retribution following a series of narrow losses last year.

The Kangaroos finished 10th on the AFL table with 10 wins and 12 losses including six by under 10 points.

PRE-SEASON INSIDER: PART II OUT THURSDAY — IF YOU MISSED PART I, CLICK HERE: THE ROOKIE AND THE VETERAN

The arrival of Nick Dal Santo during the off-season adds depth to a midfield that includes Daniel Wells, Brent Harvey, Jack Ziebell, Ben Cunnington and injured skipper Andrew Swallow.

Coach Brad Scott has options at both ends of the ground with Drew Petrie and All Australian full back Scott Thompson the generals.

The big question is, can the Kangaroos live up to expectations? Here is our assessment.

North Melbourne defender Scott Thompson at training. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Source: Getty Images



GUNS



Scott Thompson

Age: 27. Games: 112. Position: Defender



From scrappy full back to All Australian, Thompson is the real deal. The Geelong native is equally as effective against Travis Cloke as he is against a more athletic type in Jack Riewoldt or Lance Franklin. His ability to read the play and take intercept marks is elite.



Todd Goldstein

Age: 25. Games: 101. Position: Ruckman


Goldstein is one of the best in the business at giving his teammates first use of the football. A workhorse, Goldstein won the second most hit-outs of any player in the competition.

* SuperCoach special: It’s very much a case of you get what you pay for with Goldstein (114avg). A blue chip ruckman with blue collar work ethic, Goldstein — barring injury — can put up mighty numbers in 2014.



FOLLOW GILBERT GARDINER ON TWITTER: @GilbertGardiner



Brent Harvey

Age: 35. Games: 362. Position: Midfielder/Forward


Harvey is the second oldest player in the competition and yet week in week out he gets the opposition’s best stopper. The little master can influence games with a handful of possessions, watch out if he gets close to goal.

Kangaroos skipper Andrew Swallow has hit foot assessed. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Source:Getty Images



STARS



Andrew Swallow

Age: 26. Games: 146. Position: Midfielder


A clearance/pressure specialist, Swallow is doing everything right to get himself back from a ruptured Achilles. Only knock on him would be his kicking.



Daniel Wells

Age: 29. Games: 212. Position: Midfielder.


Wells has added a new string to his electric bow: consistency. Deadly by foot — especially from long range — the dashing midfielder is one of the Kangaroos’ most important players.



Jack Ziebell

Age: 22. Games: 80. Position: Midfielder.


Has all the attributes — courage, skill, polish and now fitness after dropping several kilograms during the off-season. Ziebell’s attack is second to none, but with it comes the risk of injuries/suspensions.

* SuperCoach special: Watch closely as has been on the upward trend the past three seasons. Averaged 95 last year, with skipper Andrew Swallow (Achilles) early in the season could Ziebs be a sharp improver?



Drew Petrie

Age: 30. Games: 244. Position: Forward


Petrie boasts strong hands, kicks straight and is critical to the development of Aaron Black and Robbie Tarrant. The only knock on the big right-footer must be his consistency and ability to impact against top flight competition. Petrie kicked just six of his 48 goals in 2013 against top four teams.



Lindsay Thomas

Age: 26. Games: 130. Position: Forward


Was at the crossroads just 18 months ago, now one of the best small forwards in the game. Thomas would need a repeat effort to stay with this class. Lindsay, please keep your feet!



Nick Dal Santo

Age: 29. Games: 260. Position: Midfielder


There are a handful of players in the competition who look to have time with ball in hand; Dal Santo is one of them. A classy user of the football, he should thrive in the Kangaroos midfield and across half back.

North Melbourne speedster Shaun Atley in full flight. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Source: Getty Images



FOOT SOLDIERS



Aaron Black

Age: 22. Games: 22. Position: Forward


Black is an exciting talent with supreme skills on the lead and at ground level. He will benefit from another pre-season with Petrie as his mentor.



Shaun Atley

Age: 21. Games: 61. Position: Defender


Largely responsible for the run and carry out of the Kangaroos defence, Atley’s impending move into the midfield could see his star rise even sharper. He’s one to watch.



Sam Gibson

Age: 27. Games: 35. Position: Midfielder


Elite runner who has carved a spot for himself as one of the Kangaroos’ go-to men around the stoppages, ranked ninth in the league for uncontested possessions.



Ryan Bastinac

Age: 22. Games: 79. Position: Midfielder


A blue-collar type who knows how to find space close to goal, Bastinac would be expected to shoulder more of the midfield load while skipper Andrew Swallow remains on the sidelines.



Lachie Hansen

Age: 25. Games: 99. Position: Utility


It’s taken seven years, but Hansen is finally the real deal. Wasted up forward, the 197cm intercept marking machine has come into his own in defence.



Ben Cunnington

Age: 22. Games: 74. Position: Midfielder


Has the tricks and courage to be one of the game’s best extractors. Cunnington makes up for his lack of speed with poise and supreme skills in close quarters. Loves a don’t argue.



Aaron Mullett

Age: 21. Games: 31. Position: Defender


Looks a beauty in full flight but can turn the ball over. Spent three years on the rookie list before breaking out last year, Mullett needs to add defensive running to his repertoire to take the next step.



Leigh Adams

Age: 25. Games: 82. Position: Forward


What Patch lacks in raw ability he makes up for in effort. The small forward refuses to give up and can bob up to kick crucial goals.



Nathan Grima

Age: 28. Games: 72. Position: Defender


Big tank, strong one-on-one and who could forget his first goal in league footy. Grima’s ability to blanket the opposition’s second tall provides the likes of Hansen and the Kangaroos running brigade the freedom to create.

North coach Brad Scott talking to Kangaroos forward Robbie Tarrant. Picture: Mark StewartSource: News Limited



CROSSROADS



Robbie Tarrant

Age: 24. Games: 38. Position: Forward


Needs to get his body right and repay the faith North has shown in him.



Jamie Macmillan

Age: 21. Games: 58. Position: Midfielder/Defender


A solid linkman out of defence, Macmillan would need to keep improving to hold his spot with the likes of Luke McDonald and Dal Santo expected to spend time in defence.



Scott McMahon

Age: 27. Games: 117. Position: Defender


Missed several games with an ankle problem and might struggle to keep reclaim his spot in the Kangaroos best 22.



Taylor Hine

Age: 22. Games: 23. Position: Midfielder

The shutdown specialist would need to keep developing in the role as disposal isn’t his strong suit.



Liam Anthony

Age: 25. Games: 54. Position: Midfielder


Unfortunately for Anthony, a fully fit Kangaroos midfield doesn’t include the West Australian ball magnet.



Ben Jacobs

Age: 21. Games: 33. Position: Midfielder

A high draft pick yet to announce himself on the big stage, Jacobs needs a solid season to earn his stripes. Proven ball winner at VFL level, the defender-turned-midfielder must work on his kicking efficiency.

Kangaroos Michael Firrito and Sam Wright will be looking to put their best foot forward in 2014. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Source: Getty Images



Michael Firrito

Age: 29. Games: 210. Position: Defender


A great servant of the club, Spud struggled with a knee injury last year. Now fully fit, he can’t afford too many off games as spots will be up for grabs.



Joel Tippett (rookie)

Age: 25. Games: 2. Position: Defender


Handed a lifeline by North Melbourne, the younger brother of Sydney’s Kurt will need to show plenty on the track and at VFL level to keep his spot on the list. Tippett was drafted by Brisbane in 2007 before joining Gold Coast as a rookie in 2011.



Sam Wright

Age: 23. Games: 69. Position: Utility


Rarely plays well enough for long enough to warrant regular selection. It could be make or break 2014 for the flanker expected to start the season down back.



Kieran Harper

Age: 20. Games: 40. Position: Forward

Struggled with injuries and form, needs some luck and a big year. Bright prospect who when right can be a 25-30 goal a year player.



Levi Greenwood

Age: 24. Games: 52. Position: Midfielder


Hard-nosed midfielder starved of opportunity behind Swallow, Ziebell and Cunnington.



Robin Nahas

Age: 26. Games: 83. Position: Forward


Runs like the wind, the forward pressure specialist would need Lindsay Thomas to break down to cement his place. Recruited for depth.



Daniel Currie

Age: 25. Games: 0. Position: Ruckman


Trying his heart out to break into AFL ranks, only to keep finding himself behind marquee ruckmen Todd Goldstein and Shane Mumford at Sydney. Will struggle to get games despite doing a lot of work as a forward in match simulation training.

North Melbourne forward Majak Daw in action at training. Picture: Mark Stewart Source: News Limited



WHO KNOWS?



Luke McDonald

Age: 18. Games: 0. Position: Defender


McDonald won’t be in this category long, he’s ready to go with elite skills and courage to boot. He has the confidence and game to make his mark early in the season.



Majak Daw

Age: 23. Games: 6. Position: Forward/Ruckman


Raw talent with plenty of learning to do. Daw is back training after season-ending knee surgery. Has tricks but too easily nudged under the flight of the ball against serious opposition.



Taylor Garner

Age: 20. Games: 2. Position: Midfielder

Tough as teak, the small forward is an exciting prospect who will benefit from another pre-season under his belt. Plagued by shoulder problems as a junior, the top 20 draft pick knows how to kick a goal when the opportunity arises. One to watch.



Brad McKenzie

Age: 20. Games: 12. Position: Midfielder


A precision left-footer with bright prospects. Got his chance playing games in 2013 — largely as the substitute — will be looking to take the next step.



Cameron Delaney

Age: 21. Games: 6. Position: Defender


Held his own in one AFL game in 2013 collecting 19 disposals and 12 marks. He needs injuries to strike to get regular game time.



Trent Dumont

Age: 18. Games: 0. Position: Defender

Played in Norwood’s SANFL flag as an 18-year-old. He averaged 17 disposals in 12 senior outings.



Tom Curran

Age: 20. Games: 0. Position: Utility


Likely type unable to shake nagging foot problems.



Mason Wood

Age: 20. Games: 0. Position: Forward


Needs to get his body right then train and play hard in the VFL to push for senior selection. Big tank and strong overhead are his hallmarks.

Father-son selection Luke McDonald is out to make a name for himself. Picture: Chris Scott Source:News Limited



Mitch Wilkins

Age: 19. Games: 0. Position: Defender


Creative flanker-wing type who needs as much time in the gym as he does on the park. While he wins his own ball, he needs to become more accountable.



Ben Brown

Age: 21. Games: 0. Position: Forward-Ruckman


Plenty of upside after solid VFL season, similar to Currie would need the likes of Goldstein and Majak Daw to break down to push into AFL ranks.



Eric Wallace (rookie)

Age: 25. Games: 0. Position: Ruckman


International rookie still learning the ropes in the VFL reserves.



Kayne Turner (rookie)

Age: 18. Games: 0. Position: Midfielder


A project player, what Turner lacks in size (67kg) he makes up for in his ferocious attack on the contest — needs time.



Max Warren (rookie)

Age: 21. Games: 0. Position: Defender


Warren broke his collarbone and then aggravated the injury while on the comeback trail. He needs to put in a lot of work to leapfrog the mob of flanker-type Roos.



Tim McGenniss (rookie)

Age: 20. Games: 0. Position: Midfielder


One of the best runners at the club, McGenniss put up strong numbers in his first season on the rookie list averaging 18 disposals and four tackles at VFL level.

 

[Jay-Z]

Pretty accurate I thought. I would only make a couple of changes.

GUNS: Thompson, Goldstein, Harvey, Wells
STARS: Swallow, Wells, Ziebell, Petrie, Thomas, Dal Santo
FOOT SOLDIERS: Atley, Black, Bastinac, Hansen, Cunnington, Mullett, Adams, Grima, Gibson, MacMillan
CROSSROADS: Tarrant, Hine, Jacobs, MacMahon, Firrito, Tippett, Harper, Wright, Greenwood, Nahas, Currie, MacMillan
WHO KNOWS?: MacDonald, Daw, McKenzie, Delaney, Dumont, Curran, Wood, Wilkins, Brown, Wallace, Turner, Warren, McGenniss

 

[GarnerSmash]

If the ranking is based on being league leaders in their positions then Goldy (ruck), Thompson (full back), Boomer (half forward/mid) and Thomas (small forward) are elite.

Wellsy is an elite talent but I don't think he can be classified as elite on output for the inside/outside role he plays. If he got a bit more of the footy then yes, but as it stands 21 touches a game for a gun mid is not quite up there.

 

[Artaxx]

Swallow and Wells underrated, especially Swallow.
Watched both dismantle the premiership midfield on the G last night on tape. It was a masterclass from both against the very best.

 

[Jay-Z]

If the ranking is based on being league leaders in their positions then Goldy (ruck), Thompson (full back), Boomer (half forward/mid) and Thomas (small forward) are elite.

Wellsy is an elite talent but I don't think he can be classified as elite on output for the inside/outside role he plays. If he got a bit more of the footy then yes, but as it stands 21 touches a game for a gun mid is not quite up there.

Yeah you're probably right B Tron.

Here is how he described the rankings:
Guns (in the elite of the competition);
Stars (very good players who aren’t quite superstars);
Foot soldiers (regulars who get the job done each week);
Crossroads (fringe players who are playing for their career or are yet to cement a spot in the side);
Who knows (too early to make a call).

 

[scooby1279]

If the ranking is based on being league leaders in their positions then Goldy (ruck), Thompson (full back), Boomer (half forward/mid) and Thomas (small forward) are elite.

Wellsy is an elite talent but I don't think he can be classified as elite on output for the inside/outside role he plays. If he got a bit more of the footy then yes, but as it stands 21 touches a game for a gun mid is not quite up there.

i wonder how they would rate Cyril Rioli?