Jed Anderson is the newest Kangaroo, arriving at Arden Street with pick 38 and 40, in exchange for picks 15 and 54 after three years at Hawthorn.
Anderson played 10 games for the Hawks across three seasons. Initially pre-listed by the GWS Giants, he was traded at the end of 2012 in exchange for Stephen Gilham, pick 27 and pick 63.
The youngster first drew attention in 2013, breaking into a strong Hawthorn line-up and playing six games for the year, including a qualifying final victory.
However his momentum was curtailed by an injury interrupted 2014. After contracting pneumonia in the pre-season, Anderson then injured his shoulder soon after returning to full health. It prematurely ended his season, unable to add to his senior game tally.
A budding young family occupied his time, with Anderson a father of two young boys.
“After a long day at the club, completing my rehab and doing the extras, I get to come home to my two gorgeous boys. They definitely made the tough times easier,” Anderson told The Mercury in early 2015.
An impressive 2015 pre-season was the result of a full summer on the track for Anderson. He featured strongly in Hawthorn’s NAB Cup campaign, with the highlight a 26-disposal, 10 inside 50 effort against Collingwood in Launceston.
It led to appearances in four of the first six home and away matches. Although two of them were as the starting substitute, he showed glimpses of his capabilities in each outing.
At North Melbourne, Anderson will have the ability to play either in the midfield or forward line.
Highly rated for his attack on the ball, Luke Hodge told Hawthorn’s official website Anderson was “fearless” and “you don’t want to get in his road”.
Fellow Hawk Isaac Smith labelled Anderson a “competitor” who doesn’t lose many one-on-one contests.
Jed Anderson fact file
Date of Birth: 02/02/1994
Height: 179cm
Weight: 79kg
Games: 10
Goals: 4
