North Melbourne star forward Ben Brown is optimistic that new additions and continued improvement in 2018 can lead to success for North.
“I think every club is feeling optimistic at this time of year, and we definitely are,” Brown told the media on Monday.
“We feel like we have made some good additions to our side, and we played some good footy last year, so we will be looking to capitalise on that and hit the ground running.”
Brown believes that North’s acquisitions in the trade and draft periods of 2018 will have a strong impact on the group.
“Working with new guys like Jared Polec, Aaron Hall, Dom Tyson and even some of the first-year boys has been really exciting.
“Whether they will help us take the next step, I think we need to do that as a whole team.
“Those guys will definitely help us in various areas of the ground and provide something a little bit different, which I think we were crying out for.”
As a key-forward who thrives on quality service from the midfield, the North number 50 is excited about the prospect of what North’s two new line-breakers can provide in 2019.
“Aaron Hall has got plenty of it in the match practice that we’ve done, and Jared Polec has a lethal left foot, which I’ve seen first-hand with his delivery at training.
“Having guys like that can only make a team better.”
It’s not just new recruits that will have an impact on the Roos’ fortunes, with Brown expecting the new rules to cause some changes to the game and to his role.
“It might change a little bit this year (my position) with the new rules,” he said.
“I think particularly the 6-6-6 will change things up a bit, and we’ve noticed that in our intra-club games and the games we have played so far.
“You do have to think about your role as a forward, and defenders have to change the way they play too. It’s exciting for us having to think on the run and learn the new rules.
“I definitely enjoy it (playing up the ground). I like to think my running is a part of the game that I value, so if I get up the ground more this year, then great, but I’m also happy assuming the role a bit deeper as well.”
One possibility is that Brown may be required to fulfil ruck duties more heavily in 2019, but that doesn’t bother the 26-year-old.
“I think it depends on how our side lines up. If I have to pinch-hit in the ruck, I’ve done that before, and like I said before I like getting up the ground.”
After a delayed start to the pre-season, Brown has built into full fitness at the right time.
“I just had a clean-up (surgery) on the hip,” he added.
“A lot of guys seem to have post-season surgery to tidy little things up. I’m feeling great now and back to 100 per cent.”
Ben Brown at Monday's training session.
