Will it be one of the candidates below? Or will there be a surprise?
Have your say in this week's Roo Blog below!
______________________________________________
Brent Harvey
Age: 30
Debut: 1996
Games played: 264
Honours: Syd Barker Medallist 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008; premiership player 1999; All-Australian 2000, 2005, 2007, 2008; International Rules Series 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2008 (captain); EJ Whitten Medallist 1999
The case: By far the most decorated and experienced of the contenders, Harvey has come off the best season of his career – carrying Brownlow Medal favouritism for a lot of it. It had greater emphasis given he turned 30, reached the 250-game milestone and was the only Roo to earn All-Australian selection and a place in the Hall of Fame Tribute Match. He has said that he'd embrace the job if it was offered to him and the opportunity to captain Australia in the recent International Rules Series would have strengthened that desire. Given his durability, Harvey has some time left in his career and shouldn't be considered a short-term prospect.
Drew Petrie
Age: 26
Debut: 2001
Games played: 154
Honours: Runner-up Syd Barker Medal 2008; International Rules Series 2008
The case: Petrie earned his highest Syd Barker Medal placing after a season that saw him as the Roos' barometer – when he played well, the side played well. His much-lauded performance against Collingwood in round 16 was among the most complete by a big man for the season, proving his worth in the ruck and his influence on a game. His performances were littered with one-percenters. Short-listed for All-Australian selection, he was unlucky to miss out, but didn't go wanting in rapport with his teammates. Senior coach Dean Laidley endorsed Petrie as a future skipper during the season; Petrie said it was something he aspired to but voiced his support of Harvey as the next candidate.
Brady Rawlings
Age: 27
Debut: 1999
Games played: 181
Honours: Syd Barker Medal 2004, 2006; International Rules Series 2004
The case: A quiet achiever, Rawlings was the competition's best tagger in a four-year block that included two Syd Barker Medals. He enjoyed another solid year in 2008, finishing third in the count and earning life membership for 10 years' service. Rawlings' no-nonsense approach and commitment to the club has earned him the respect of his coaches and peers – an important position if he is to graduate to skipper.
Daniel Pratt
Age: 25
Debut: 2004 (2005 with North)
Games played: 84
Honours: 3rd Syd Barker Medal 2007
The case: The competition's busiest rebounding defender, Pratt has matured after a number of on-field indiscretions took the shine off his qualities as a player. He hasn't lost his hardness and is one to rally his teammates, similar to the approach of club great Glenn Archer who retired at the end of 2007. Despite making his debut with the Brisbane Lions, North is where his heart lies and – should captaincy elude him – he'll have an important support role.
Michael Firrito
Age: 24
Debut: 2003
Games played: 105
Honours: International Rules Series 2008
The case: Firrito has shown he can handle the pressure of being North's key backman after spending the early stages of his career in the middle of the ground. He seemed overwhelmed in the first half of 2008, but persevered with the support of Laidley and the match committee to register some inspiring performances. Like Pratt, Firrito is another player who has accepted challenges in the retirement of senior teammates and is a clear figure of the Roos' future.
David Hale
Age: 24
Debut: 2003
Games played: 101
Honours: Leading goalkicker 2008
The case: It was this year that Hale transformed from a promising player to a very good one, showing why he was rated so highly as a youngster. The use of Hamish McIntosh and Petrie in the ruck allowed the Queenslander to spend most of his time forward, and he became an important target – ask Geelong defenders Matthew Scarlett and Harry Taylor who had eight goals kicked on them in round 21. Hale has an obvious presence and his football smarts will only improve. A confident speaker, he was the official face of North's former relationship with the Gold Coast.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
