With the maiden AFLX competition less than a month away, it’s time to start considering who you would select in your ten-man side.

With limited stoppages and a reduced bench, pace and endurance are valuable attributes. The need to hit targets and convert in-front of goal, means that efficient ball-users are required to dominate the game and put scoreboard pressure on the opposition.

While there are many players who could perform in the new-look format, here are just a few Kangaroos NMFC Media believe could suit the format.

Shaun Higgins

With very little downtime during the game, it’s important teams retain possession to limit the physical fatigue of players. Higgins’ excellent ball-use could be a big factor in AFLX, with his silky skills minimising the amount of turnovers through the middle of the ground. His strong endurance and ability to play in the midfield and feature up forward could be a game-changer.

Jack Ziebell

With the ball constantly in play, Ziebell’s attack on the footy would be a welcome addition. Given the minimal stoppages in play, Ziebell’s ability to get the ball to the outside players while he does the dirty work on the inside would certainly help his teammates move forward. The captain’s leadership and voice on the field would help his side remain focused and structured in the dying moments of each half.

Luke Davies-Uniacke

It’d be tough to look past Luke Davies-Uniacke when selecting an AFLX team. His elite disposal, strong body and knack to kick a goal when forward gives him the ability to change the game on its head. With matches expected to be close, his calmness in late-game situations could be the difference between a win and a loss.

Luke McDonald

With the heavily reduced ground size, having a long kick out of the back-half can turn defence into offensive in an instant. McDonald’s booming, and accurate, left foot can send the ball towards the forwards and potentially set-up a shot on goal, by catching the opposition off-guard. The 22-year-old’s ability to also spend time in the midfield would be a good asset.

Jy Simpkin

Last year fans witnessed the magic Simpkin is capable of, and those electrifying moments could prove to be the difference in AFLX. Simpkin’s sharp skills and impressive turn of foot could leave defenders in the dust in what is an extremely fast-paced game.

Robbie Tarrant

Although scoring is a major part of AFLX, it’s important not to overlook the defence. Tarrant’s ability to shut down key forwards, take marks and use the ball effectively, could make him a valuable asset in defence. Tarrant recorded career-high disposals in 2017, and averaged six marks per game, proving he can play a big part of a team’s movement forward. 

Braydon Preuss

Preuss’ ability to unleash a big torpedo the length of the ground is a rare commodity, and an extremely valuable asset. His work in the ruck is constantly improving, and could cause opposition ruckmen serious headaches after another impressive pre-season.

Mason Wood

Wood’s strong hands in the marking contest, accurate disposal and impressive endurance would make him a very dangerous forward in AFLX. Wood, who is very rarely out-marked, can feature whether the ball is in the air or on the ground, and would cause large match-up issues for the opposition.

Billy Hartung

After taking out the honours in the Yo-Yo test and recording a second place finish in the two kilometre time trial, Hartung’s running ability is a dangerous asset. His speed can break the game open, while his endurance ensures that he can run-out the full 20 minutes. These attributes are ones that would benefit North’s AFLX side.

Ben Brown

There’s no looking past Brown, who finished third in last year’s Coleman Medal race. Brown’s outstanding accuracy in front of goal, coupled with his underrated speed, makes him a very dangerous player in this modified format. If the big man manages to drift higher up the ground, his long kick could result in a super-goal or two.

Shaun Atley

There’s one thing you can count on if Atley’s in your AFLX team - he’ll run, and run, and run, and run. His impressive endurance will ensure he’ll have no issue running-out the fast paced games, and Atley can also pinch-hit in the midfield if need be.

Ryan Clarke

Clarke’s speed won’t look out of place in a game of AFLX, in fact, it could be exactly what a team needs. Clarke, who has spent much of his career as a midfielder, has spent much of the pre-season developing his defensive craft, which means he could be a valuable asset.

Alex Morgan

Defender Morgan’s line-breaking ability and blistering pace could make him a handy player in the backline. Morgan’s strong tackles and commitment to defence proves that he can not only move the ball forward, but also limit the impact of an opposition forward.

Todd Goldstein

One of the game’s premiere ruckman, Todd Goldstein, would be a very valuable player in AFLX. Goldstein’s ability at the stoppages is well-known, but his greatly improved endurance will not only see him run out the games, but be a threat on a fast-break forward.

Jamie Macmillan

Macmillan’s voice in defence would be vital in the tight and chaotic situations of an AFLX match. With many scoring opportunities created from fast-breaks, his leadership will ensure the defensive structures are in place to prevent any easy scoring. His composure with the ball will also be an advantage, with the tight confines of the ground and need to move the ball both efficiently and quickly, often putting pressure on the ball carrier.   

So, who would you pick for North’s AFLX team?