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Finally the time has arrived to begin the 2015 season and a heavily anticipated round one clash against the Crows.
Coming off a preliminary final appearance in 2014, a trip to Adelaide Oval represents the first opportunity for the Kangaroos to test their mettle with two new recruits.
Squads
North Melbourne
B: Luke McDonald, Scott Thompson, Michael Firrito
HB: Shaun Atley, Joel Tippett, Jamie Macmillan
C: Shaun Higgins, Jack Ziebell, Sam Gibson
HF: Daniel Wells, Jarrad Waite, Nick Dal Santo
F: Lindsay Thomas, Drew Petrie, Brent Harvey
Fol: Todd Goldstein, Ben Cunnington, Andrew Swallow
Int From: Ryan Bastinac, Ben Jacobs, Kayne Turner, Robbie Nahas, Ben Brown, Robbie Tarrant, Sam Wright
Adelaide
B: Daniel Talia, Kyle Hartigan, Kyle Cheney
HB: Rory Laird, Luke Brown, Matthew Jaensch
C: Ricky Henderson, Rory Sloane, Brodie Smith
HF: Eddie Betts, Matt Wright, Nathan Van Berlo
F: Taylor Walker, Charlie Cameron, Tom Lynch
Fol: Sam Jacobs, Patrick Dangerfield, Richard Douglas
Int From: James Podsiadly, Josh Jenkins, Mitch Grigg, David Mackay, Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Jarryd Lyons, Brodie Martin
Breaking the hoodoo
As has been commonly discussed, Round 1 hasn’t been the happiest hunting ground for North Melbourne.
Its last victory in a season-opener came way back in 2009 against Melbourne at the MCG. For the last time it defeated the Crows in Adelaide, the calendar has to flick all the way back to 2003 and a rain-soaked AAMI Stadium.
However in 2014, the Kangaroos made a habit of breaking streaks opposition clubs and venues had over them. From the defeat of Fremantle in Perth to the end of Sydney’s long unbeaten run, big victories gave the playing group confidence that was shown in the two finals performances in September.
Breaking two streaks in Round 1 this season would be the perfect start to the year.
Depth in numbers
North has a strong line-up for Sunday’s clash. Even allowing for the non-selection of Lachlan Hansen, Nathan Grima, Aaron Black and Mason Wood, there is still plenty of quality at each end of the ground.
With a full pre-season of tough training for the playing list in summer heat all building towards this moment, it will be evident how much the battle to earn a Round 1 spot has helped.
The addition of Jarrad Waite and Shaun Higgins to the side should further bolster a forward half that has the ability to pile on a heavy score in rapid time. An early teaser could quieten a passionate Adelaide Oval crowd - always one of the most important things to do when on the road.
Exposed form
Both sides faced each other in the opening game of the NAB Challenge a month ago at Port Lincoln’s Centenary Oval.
Whether North Melbourne or Adelaide showed its hand specifically in that game is yet to be seen, but there has been enough from the NAB Challenge to suggest both teams’ game style.
As Crows’ coach Phil Walsh suggested, a side (North) that makes the preliminary final isn’t going to drastically change anything, meaning the Kangaroos will likely stick to the basics that underpinned its late 2014 run.
Meanwhile, as NMFC.com.au’s Scouting Report suggested, Adelaide will likely attempt to use pressure to force North into unsure ball use, and then aim to capitalise when entering forward 50.
RELATED: Scouting Report: Adelaide
Weight of expectation
It’s arguably the first time in 15 years that a North Melbourne outfit has entered a season with an expectation to perform in the upper tier of the competition.
With experience and class across every line of the ground, there is also added depth heading into 2015 that allows flexibility in both a game style and structure.
It all shapes as an exciting ride, and the first step is on Sunday at Adelaide Oval.
