The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs.

Last week NMFC.com.au asked fans to pick their 22 for the opening round clash against the Crows.

With 12 players considered strong chances to be included – based on being passed fit and ready – we let our supporters decide the remaining 10.

Tall forward

Will North continue playing three tall forwards? If so, Drew Petrie and Jarrad Waite all but locked in based on their 2015 seasons, there was one vacancy remaining.

Out of five candidates, it was a fan favourite who gained the most votes.

In: Ben Brown

Small forwards

At the feet of the three talls, Shaun Higgins (if medically cleared) and Brent Harvey are locks in the 22.

After the duo, we had two spots free, with five players battling for selection. It was extremely close between three of them, indicating the depth on display.

In: Lindsay Thomas, Jed Anderson
Just missed: Taylor Garner

Midfielders

Again, assuming all were fit and ready to go, all six of Todd Goldstein, Andrew Swallow, Ben Cunnington, Jack Ziebell, Nick Dal Santo and Daniel Wells would be hard to leave out.

That meant two remaining slots for midfielders. According to your votes, the results were clear-cut, with two of the Roos' best finals' performers selected.

In: Ben Jacobs, Sam Gibson

Defenders

Considering the options on display and the Adelaide forwards to contain, the backline could have been the hardest to decide on. The mix has to be just right.

We gave you Robbie Tarrant and Scott Thompson as a start to shoulder the two key defensive slots. It meant there were five more open positions left, allowing for the tendency to play an extra defender at times.

Much like the midfield selection, your votes indicated a clear preference.

In: Shaun Atley, Jamie Macmillan, Sam Wright, Michael Firrito, Lachlan Hansen

Now with the side fully fleshed out, it appears like this, with the fans' choices in italics.

B: Sam Wright, Robbie Tarrant, Shaun Atley
HB: Jamie Macmillan, Scott Thompson, Michael Firrito
C: Nick Dal Santo, Jack Ziebell, Daniel Wells
HF: Shaun Higgins, Jarrad Waite, Brent Harvey
F: Ben Brown, Drew Petrie, Lindsay Thomas
Fol: Todd Goldstein, Andrew Swallow, Ben Cunnington
Int: Lachlan Hansen, Ben Jacobs, Sam Gibson, Jed Anderson

For the record, here’s AFL.com.au’s best 22.

B: Lachie Hansen, Scott Thompson, Shaun Atley
HB: Sam Wright, Robbie Tarrant, Jamie Macmillan
C: Daniel Wells, Jack Ziebell, Nick Dal Santo
HF: Shaun Higgins, Jarrad Waite, Brent Harvey
F: Lindsay Thomas, Drew Petrie, Ben Brown
Fol: Todd Goldstein, Andrew Swallow, Ben Cunnington
Int: Michael Firrito, Taylor Garner, Ben Jacobs, Jed Anderson

"We have made just one change to the best 22 AFL.com.au named in late November, with veteran Michael Firrito coming in for Luke McDonald. Although McDonald still shapes as a key player for the Roos over the next decade, Firrito looks a more reliable option in defence right now. Aaron Mullett's encouraging start to 2016 suggests he will also press strongly for opportunities in the Roos' backline.

"We have retained Jed Anderson on the interchange bench, but the former Hawk will need to improve on his pre-season form to keep fellow small forwards Kayne Turner and Robin Nahas out of the team. Ben Brown remains as the Roos' third tall in attack but will be vulnerable to challenges from Aaron Black, Mason Wood and Majak Daw." - Nick Bowen, AFL.com.au