We take a look back at each player's 2019 season, starting with list numbers 1-15.
1. Majak Daw
4 VFL games | Key stats (VFL) - 6.5 disposals, 2 marks
After suffering serious hip and pelvis injuries last December, Daw’s return to footy was one of the stories of the year.
The defender managed four games in the VFL, but his season was cruelly cut short by a hamstring injury.
With Scott Thompson retiring, the Roos will be looking for Daw to play a key role in the back half.
2. Marley Williams
17 AFL games| Key stats - 16.5 disposals, 2.2 marks, 3.5 rebound 50s.
Williams has established himself as one of the Roos’ most important defenders, performing lockdown roles on some of the game’s best small forwards.
An ankle injury suffered in the Round 2 loss to the Lions kept Williams out for four weeks, but he returned to play the remaining 15 games of the season.
Prior to his injury against the Lions, the number 2 had kept Charlie Cameron quiet as the Roos led. In his absence, Cameron exploded to life and was crucial to Brisbane winning.
Williams’ strong performances earned him a new one-year deal in July.
3. Jed Anderson
17 AFL games, 2 VFL games | Key stats - 20.5 disposals, 5.5 tackles
Anderson missed the first three games of the season through injury, but his impact was immediately felt in Round 4, as North got its first win of the season against the Crows.
The number 3 is one of the Roos’ unsung heroes in the midfield, spearheading the attack on the ball, and he led the club for tackles per game (5.5) and pressure acts (22.1).
Anderson continued to develop on his ability to find the footy, averaging a career-high 20.5 disposals, and had a career-best 29 disposals against the Swans in Round 9.
One of Anderson's most underrated trait is his ability overhead, and he showed this is 2019 with two JLT Mark of the Year nominations.
"That's special from Jed Anderson."
— North Melbourne (@NMFCOfficial) July 22, 2019
Jed's big grab against the Lions has been nominated for JLT Mark of the Year!
Vote now https://t.co/CmNBF8DByz #North150 pic.twitter.com/qOLVEsu1yh
4. Shaun Higgins
17 AFL games | Key stats - 28.4 disposals, 4.8 inside 50s
Even at the age of 31, Higgins continues to excel and improve.
The 2018 All-Australian team member averaged a career-high 28.4 disposals this season, and would surely have come into consideration for the 2019 edition, had he not missed four games with a shoulder injury.
Higgins recorded 30+ disposals in 10 of his 17 outings, including two 38-disposal efforts; equalling his career-best.
Despite his mid-season injury, the number four is sure to challenge for a third consecutive Syd Barker Medal.
5. Ben Jacobs
Jacobs missed the entirety of the 2019 season as he attempted to overcome ongoing health issues.
The number 5 experienced a number of symptoms after a “whiplash” incident in Round 11 of last year, and no chances were taken with his recovery.
Jacobs is contracted until 2020, and will be keen to return.
6. Taylor Garner
9 AFL games, 7 VFL games | Key stats - 13.2 disposals, 5 goals
After not making an AFL appearance since 2017, Garner returned to the fold for North in 2019, playing 9 games.
After putting in some impressive performances for the club’s VFL team, Garner was called up the senior team for the Round 7 win over Carlton.
A club suspension saw him miss four games in the middle of the season, but he was recalled in Round 19 and finished strongly against Melbourne in Round 23.
7. Jack Ziebell
22 AFL Games | Key stats - 20.1 disposals, 4.8 tackles, 24 goals
For the second consecutive season, the North skipper played in all 22 AFL games.
Ziebell began the season in the forward role that worked so successfully for him in 2018, but with the emergence of young forwards Cam Zurhaar, Nick Larkey and Tarryn Thomas, he was able to return the midfield.
The number seven averaged over 20 disposals and a goal in 2019, highlighting his damaging ability around the ground.
Ziebell celebrated game 200 in the Round 12 win over the Suns, with 28 disposals, 2 goals and 10 tackles.
Not much better than kicking a goal in game 200!
— AFL (@AFL) June 8, 2019
Well done Jack Ziebell. #AFLSunsNorth pic.twitter.com/n8nKCpdKA0
8. Nathan Hrovat
5 AFL games, 11 VFL games | Key stats - 15.4 disposals
Hrovat hovered in between the AFL and VFL sides for most of the season, and managed five games at AFL level.
The number 8 played in the last two wins of the season, enjoying 21 disposals against the Power in Round 22.
The midfielder/small forward was advised that he wouldn’t be offered a contract for 2020.
9. Luke Davies-Uniacke
14 AFL games, 4 VFL games | Key stats - 14.9 disposals, 2.9 inside 50s, 2.4 clearances
After playing 7 games in 2018, Davies-Uniacke doubled his output in 2019, playing 14 games at AFL level.
Davies-Uniacke showed glimpses of his ability in 2019, with 26 disposals in Round 2 a career-best.
The 20-year-old ranked in the top five for Rising Star eligible players for both clearances and contested possessions.
The number 9’s season was ended prematurely as he underwent a shoulder reconstruction to have him ready for the 2020 pre-season.
10. Ben Cunnington
22 AFL games | Key stats 26.6 disposals, 15.6 contested possessions, 7.3 clearances
An unsung hero for North during his career, Cunnington’s superb performances in the midfield finally received external recognition in 2019.
Playing in every game, Cunnington recorded career-bests in disposals, clearances and contested possessions.
The number 10 had 8 games of 30+ touches, and put in some truly memorable performances, such as his 37-disposal demolition of Collingwood in Round 15.
Cunnington played his 200th game in Round 16.
The midfielder earned his first inclusion in the 40-man Virgin Australian All-Australian Squad.
Good luck tackling Ben Cunnington pic.twitter.com/7lWl8BUGmr
— North Melbourne (@NMFCOfficial) July 29, 2019
11. Luke McDonald
13 AFL games | Key stats - 14.8 disposals, 3.9 marks
An important member of the Roos’ backline in recent years, McDonald played every game in in 2017-2018.
But injury and suspension limited the defender to just 13 appearances in 2019.
McDonald’s role seemed to change to a more of a lockdown defender in 2019, as opposed to the wing and half-back role he has played in recent seasons.
His season was ended in Round 17 when he suffered a fractured leg in the dying stages of the loss to the Bombers.
12. Jy Simpkin
21 AFL games, 1 VFL game | Key stats - 18.4 disposals, 3.7 clearances, 3.4 inside 50s
After struggling for form early in the season, the highly-rated Simpkin was dropped to the VFL in Round 6.
He responded with a 33-disposal outing, and returned to the AFL with form and confidence.
The number 12 looks to have a strong future on the ball, and he recorded three 30+ disposal efforts in 2019, with 36 in Round 16 a career-high.
Simpkin played the 50th game of his career in Round 17.
Jy Simpkin picks up where he left off last week!#AFLNorthSaints pic.twitter.com/U7yPpCvtPq
— AFL (@AFL) July 7, 2019
13. Jared Polec
22 AFL games | Key stats - 23.1 disposals, 441m metres gained, 16 goals.
The Roos’ biggest-name addition over the 2019 off-season was Polec.
Polec proved an astute signing to a side needing outside run and penetrating kicking.
The number 13 played in every game, and led the Roos for metres gained and total kicks.
Polec also enjoyed the best home and away season of his career in front of goal, booting 16 majors.
Fair snag from Jared Polec against his former team!#AFLNorthLions pic.twitter.com/T1MG3BlUV4
— AFL (@AFL) March 31, 2019
14. Trent Dumont
21 AFL games | Key stats - 23.6 disposals, 4.3 marks, 19.2 pressure acts
Dumont continues to develop into one of the Roos’ most reliable performers on the wing.
The 24-year--old collected the third-most disposals, and fifth-most marks for the club in 2019.
Dumont impressed with his hard-work and pressure, and he also led North for total pressure acts.
The number 14’s 23.6 disposals per game was the highest of his career, with his 38 touches against Carlton equalling his career-best.
15. Paul Ahern
7 AFL games, 8 VFL | Key stats – 17.7 disposals, 2.9 marks, 3.3 rebound 50s
Ahern was a victim of the club’s increased midfield depth in 2019, finding opportunities hard to come by.
He was involved in the Roos’ win over Adelaide in Round 4, but was dropped to the VFL again in Round 6.
Ahern had to wait until Round 16 for another opportunity at AFL level.
From Round 19 onwards, Ahern moved to a half-back role with strong effect, collecting 26 and 27 disposals in his first two games in the backline.
A hamstring injury in the warm-up ahead of the Round 22 clash with Port Adelaide ended his season.