2009 was a year of transition for North. Dean Laidley stepped down as senior coach after a Round 12 loss to Adelaide, leaving assistant Darren Crocker to take over for the rest of the season.
Brad Scott was eventually appointed coach and had to deal with one of the club’s key position defenders wanting to leave.
Josh Gibson had played every game for North in 2009 as a defender, and 65 games since being selected in the 2003 Rookie Draft.
However with the left-footer seeking more time in the spotlight, the Kangaroos worked with Hawthorn to receive Pick 25 and 41 in return for Gibson.
It was the only trade North was involved in. There were a further eight list changes – Adam Simpson and Shannon Watt called time, while Daniel Harris, Sam Power, Matt Riggio, Jesse Smith and Michael Wundke were delisted.
With the promotion of Cruize Garlett to the senior list, it meant the Kangaroos took six live picks to the draft.
Their first was at pick 5, the highest since Lachlan Hansen at three in 2006, and the club looked towards a tough midfielder in Ben Cunnington.
The Cobden talent had caught the eye of scouts with his form at the Under 18 National Championships and TAC Cup, where he won All-Australian honours for Vic Country while also captaining the Geelong Falcons.
Cunnington would become a fan favourite because of the way he played.
“Sometimes when you are running back with the flight, you know you are going to get crunched,” Cunnington told the Herald Sun before the draft.
“But I just want that contact. I’d give up anything for the boys, and do anything to get my hands on the ball and get it out to the runners, to help them.”
Considering a plethora of midfielders had left the club that year, the recruiters picked Ryan Bastinac next at selection 21.
Bastinac had impressed with his testing at draft camp, notching an impressive beep test result which showed his elite endurance.
It had been on show during the season too as he co-captained the Dandenong Stingrays alongside Tom Scully averaging 22 disposals a game.
With two midfielders already on the way to Arden Street, the next selection was the one North had acquired in the Gibson trade.
Aaron Black was originally expected to be well gone by the time Pick 25 rolled around. In The Age’s pre-draft coverage, Emma Quayle highlighted Melbourne (Pick 11) and Carlton (Pick 12) as the most likely destinations for the West Australian.
Black had come onto the scene from nowhere, only making the decision to concentrate on football midway through the year. A talented basketballer, he was able to make the transition to the WAFL well, impressing with his performances for Peel Thunder.
North snapped up the forward and recruiters were surprised he was still available.
Pick 37 was next. The likes of Mitch Duncan and Jack Gunston had found homes; both going on to become vital parts of their respective outfits.
Jamie Macmillan was on North’s radar however the man himself wasn’t expecting to get picked up so early.
“For me, this is really my first year of playing footy at that (TAC Cup) level,” Macmillan told AFL.com.au before his name was called.
“To be honest, I’m thinking I won’t (get drafted) and I’ll aim to have a run with a club afterwards for a rookie spot.
“If I do go, it will probably be fourth or fifth round. I’ve spoken to about nine clubs so we’ll just wait and see.”
Five years on, the first four selections all appear to be successes. Cunnington, Bastinac, Black and Macmillan are all on track for fruitful careers, potentially making it only the second time the club has picked four 100+ game players in the same draft.
Pick | Player | Recruited from | Games for North |
5 | Ben Cunnington* | Geelong U18, VIC | 99* |
21 | Ryan Bastinac* | Dandenong U18, VIC | 104* |
25 | Aaron Black* | Peel Thunder, WA | 47* |
37 | Jamie Macmillan* | Oakleigh U18, VIC | 64* |
41 | Ayden Kennedy | Eastern U18, VIC | 0 |
53 | Brayden Norris | Murray U18, VIC | 0 |
80, rookie elevation | Cruize Garlett |
| 32 |
