B: Scott McMahon, Scott Thompson, Michael Firrito
HB: Shaun Atley, Nathan Grima, Sam Wright
C: Daniel Wells, Jack Ziebell, Ryan Bastinac
HF: Brent Harvey, Lachlan Hansen, Leigh Adams
F: Robbie Tarrant, Drew Petrie, Lindsay Thomas
Foll: Todd Goldstein, Andrew Swallow, Ben Cunnington
I/C: Sam Gibson, Kieran Harper, Ben Jacobs
Sub: Jamie Macmillan
Injury list
North's exceptional recent run with injury looks set to continue with no players currently injured. Key Roos Nathan Grima (back), Leigh Adams (shoulders), Daniel Wells (Achilles) and Jack Ziebell (knee) had to be managed through the summer, but all are now back to full fitness and have each played at least two pre-season games to prepare themselves for round one.
The big questions
- Can North make the finals with a draw where four of its five return clashes are against 2012 finalists Collingwood, Geelong, Hawthorn and Adelaide?
- Can North compete with the best teams consistently and avoid the type of thrashings Hawthorn and West Coast gave it last year?
- Can the Roos improve their defensive pressure after being ranked 13th in scores against last season?
Summer standout
Ben Cunnington has taken time to build the aerobic base required of an AFL midfielder since being taken with pick No. 5 in the 2009 NAB AFL Draft. But Cunnington made significant inroads on his fitness this summer and his standout performance in North's intra-club practice match last month suggests he's ready to play a key midfield role in 2013.
Fantasy cash cow
With North coach Brad Scott all but ruling out playing two ruckmen, Daniel Currie faces a battle for game time behind the Roos' No. 1 ruckman of the past two seasons, Todd Goldstein. But Currie is right in the mix for round one selection after a strong NAB Cup campaign and has the potential to be a reliable Fantasy point-scorer.
Sudden impact
Former Port Adelaide defender Ben Jacobs has shown solid form in his first outings for North in this year's NAB Cup. Scott has said Jacobs has things to work on in his game, but the long-kicking left-footer has the talent to slot straight into North's team in defence or the midfield.
It's crunch time for…
...Levi Greenwood. The tough midfielder was a regular in North's team from 2009-11, but fell out of favour last season and played just two of North's four pre-season games this year. Greenwood started his career at the Roos as a tight-checking run-with midfielder and might need to go back to this role to reignite his career.
Pivotal match
After an opening fixture that pits it against Collingwood, Geelong, Sydney Swans, Hawthorn and West Coast (at Patersons Stadium) in the first eight rounds, North's home clash with Adelaide in round nine looms as a must-win game. The Roos' victory over the Crows at Etihad Stadium in round 13 last season kick-started their charge into the finals, and winning this clash could do the same for them this year.
The Kangaroos will have a good year if...
… their youngsters continue to develop. Specifically, if Jack Ziebell and Ben Cunnington take a bigger load off Andrew Swallow at stoppages, Shaun Atley and Kieran Harper become more consistent line-breakers and Lachlan Hansen and Robbie Tarrant continue to support Drew Petrie in attack. Key defender Nathan Grima's ability to put his recent injury problems behind him is also vital to the Roos' finals chances.
AFL.com.au predicted ladder finish: 10th
