It may be hard to believe, but Round 1 is less than two months away; and with the best 22 far from settled, it’s heating up on the training track as players look to earn their spots.
With match simulations now underway, and practice games just around the corner, we’re beginning to see who’s making strong cases for a Round 1 berth.
It’s now time for you to put your best 22 together.
To get you started, here’s North Melbourne’s side from Round 23, 2018.
B: Majak Daw, Scott Thompson, Marley Williams
HB: Jamie Macmillan, Robbie Tarrant, Shaun Atley
C: Luke McDonald, Jy Simpkin, Trent Dumont
HF: Jed Anderson, Jarrad Waite, Mason Wood
F: Jack Ziebell, Ben Brown, Kayne Turner
R: Todd Goldstein, Ben Cunnington, Shaun Higgins
I: Nathan Hrovat, Paul Ahern, Ryan Clarke, Sam Write
With five experienced players arriving from other clubs, a number of familiar faces returning from injury and seven potential stars being drafted to Arden Street back in November, there are plenty of things to consider.
Here are just a few of them:
- Ben Jacobs missed played just one of the last ten matches in 2018 after suffering concussion-like symptoms. Leading last year’s Syd Barker Medal up until Round 12, Jacobs proved his value in North’s midfield, so if fit, does he make his way back in?
- Dynamic forward Taylor Garner had a standout 2017, however injuries derailed his follow up season. If the 25-year-old can put his injuries behind him, is he a lock for a spot in the forward line?
- Second-year players Luke Davies-Uniacke and Will Walker will be looking to regain their spots in the best 22 after showing glimpses of what they’re capable of in 2018. With Davies-Uniacke having a full pre-season and Walker likely to overcome his PCL injury before the season-opener, can either of these two take the next step in their careers?
- Jared Polec, Jasper Pittard, Dom Tyson and Aaron Hall all come to Arden Street with over 100 games of experience, and were targeted to bring that outside run and skill to the young North list. All have made good first impressions at the club, but will it be enough to have them making their North debuts against Fremantle on March 24?
- With the retirement of Jarrad Waite, can 2018 VFL leading goalkicker Nick Larkey be given his chance to show what he’s made of at the top level? Constantly developing his craft, is Larkey the man to fill Waite’s shoes?
- North’s back six was a highlight in season 2018, and with the development of key backs Ben McKay and Sam Durdin as well as the return of Ed Vickers-Willis from a knee injury, could we see some new faces slot in to the defence?
- The draftees have all made good impressions since arriving, rarely looking out of place amongst the veterans. Could the likes of Tarryn Thomas, Curtis Taylor or Bailey Scott be in the mix for an early call-up?
All things considered, now it’s time for you to make your best 22.
Here are the players eligible for each position:
Backline:
Majak Daw, Jasper Pittard, Declan Watson, Jamie Macmillan, Ed Vickers-Willis, Luke McDonald, Marley Williams, Sam Wright, Sam Durdin, Robbie Tarrant, Tom McKenzie, Tom Murphy, Scott Thompson, Ben McKay
Midfield:
Trent Dumont, Tarryn Thomas, Shaun Higgins, Paul Ahern, Luke McDonald, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Kyron Hayden, Jy Simpkin, Jed Anderson, Jared Polec, Jack Ziebell, Dom Tyson, Ben Cunnington, Ben Jacobs, Bailey Scott, Aaron Hall, Red Og Murphy
Forward line:
Will Walker, Tom Wilkinson, Taylor Garner, Tarryn Thomas, Shaun Atley, Nick Larkey, Nathan Hrovat, Mason Wood, Jy Simpkin, Kayne Turner, Joel Crocker, Jack Ziebell, Jed Anderson, Curtis Taylor, Cameron Zurhaar, Ben McKay, Ben Brown, Aaron Hall, Red Og Murphy, Declan Watson
Rucks:
Todd Goldstein, Tom Campbell, Tristan Xerri
