When North Melbourne faces Essendon on Saturday, an old friend will likely be waiting in the Bombers’ defensive 50.
Nathan Grima was signed as a top-up player at the start of this year, and made his Essendon debut against the Swans on the weekend. Assuming the former Roo keeps his spot in the backline, he’ll match up alongside some familiar faces in the North forward line in what will no doubt be surreal for many Roos fans.
Elsewhere in the Bombers backline, Michael Hartley has proven to be an astute pick-up. Formerly on the Collingwood rookie list in 2012 and 2013, the 199cm defender then went to Coburg and was named in the 2015 VFL team of the year at centre half back.
Selected in that year’s National Draft at pick 68 by the Bombers, Hartley has played each of the last six games, often on the opposition’s number one forward.
James Gwilt often plays as a third tall defender against North and so far this year he leads Essendon for rebound 50’s. Only just behind him is former Cat James Kelly. The veteran has spent time on Lindsay Thomas in past years, and if the small forward comes back into the North side this week, the duo could again lock horns.
In the ruck, there will be a new opponent for Todd Goldstein to contend with.
Former Lion Matthew Leuenberger made the move south in last year’s trade period, eventually signing with Essendon in the free agency period.
Goldstein has enjoyed good form against the Bombers in the past, turning in one of the best individual performances of 2015 the last time the sides met – 27 disposals, 56 hit-outs, eight marks and a goal – earning him three Brownlow votes.
For North’s defenders, the number one task will still be stopping Joe Daniher. Although Essendon has struggled to hit the scoreboard this season – having scored only 417 points, the lowest in the league – Daniher still provides a tough matchup.
Mitch Brown has been his key position partner in attack. Another top up player, the former Cat has been amongst the goal kickers in each of the last four weeks. He’s also started to find the ball with more regularity – his 23 disposals against Sydney was a career high.
It will be Essendon’s first game at Etihad Stadium for 2016. Four of their previous seven have been at the MCG, while they’ve already had trips to Adelaide, Gold Coast and Sydney in 2016.