With North’s 2018 season complete, North Media analyses the performance of each player by using statistics, a coach review and season highlights. Next up is Tristan Xerri.

Xerri’s season

Tristan Xerri’s first year in the royal blue and white couldn’t have gone much better.

A lifelong North supporter, the 19-year-old could hardly believe his luck when he was secured with pick 72 in last year’s NAB AFL Draft.

Fast-forward almost 12 months later and Xerri’s future looks bright, with the emerging tall committing his future to North after signing a contract extension until the end of 2020.

Despite spending some time on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury, Xerri was still able to develop his game, working in the VFL as a ruck alternative to Braydon Preuss and alongside key forward Nick Larkey.

The agile big man was terrific in the middle against more experienced, bigger bodies for Werribee, but equally as impressive in front of goal, the highlight taking an 8-mark, 3-goal haul against Richmond.

Statistics

VFL
Games: 13
Disposals: 117 (avg. 9)
Goals: 9

Season highlights

Round 6 v Richmond: 15 disposals, 8 marks, 3 goals
Round 10 v Geelong: 15 disposals, 6 marks, 3 tackles

What he said

On developing his ruck game
“My ruckwork does need some work, but that will come with time, and being around blokes like Goldy, Preuss and Will (Minson – ruck coach) will definitely help me out with that.

“Those boys are all really good around the track. If I do something good they get around me, and they give pointers where I’m going wrong.

“It gives me confidence in my game having these guys around me.”

What the coach said – Gavin Brown

“’X’ played predominately as a forward this year, but also helped ‘Preussy’ in the ruck.

“He had some standout games, one in particular was at Geelong, where he single-handedly got us back in the game. It was an outstanding performance and he showed exactly what he’s capable of.

“He actually built as the season went on. We saw some of his greatest attributes this year, which are his elite marking and contested mark as well as his ability to follow-up in the ruck at ground level.”

In the news

“A lifelong North supporter, Tristan Xerri grew up idolising Todd Goldstein. Now, he’s experiencing first-hand what makes him such a dominant ruckman.” – Read more

“First-year North Melbourne ruckman Tristan Xerri has been rewarded for his encouraging start at Arden St with a contract extension until the end of 2020.” Read more

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