With the home and away season now in the rear view mirror, the 2015 Syd Barker Medal is now only one month away.
Buy your tickets to North Melbourne’s night of nights
While Todd Goldstein would have to be the clear favourite to take out his first best and fairest after a brilliant season, there are several other Roos who are also contenders.
Disposals
498 – Brent Harvey
478 – Ben Cunnington
443 – Sam Gibson
Clearances
154 – Ben Cunnington
108 – Jack Ziebell
107 – Andrew Swallow
Across the midfield and half forward, Harvey has had another quality season. Even allowing for his two substitute appearances, the 37-year-old has still averaged almost 23 disposals a game to lead the club.
Cunnington has lifted his clearance level from his Syd Barker Medal season of 2014, going from 5.8 all the way to 7.3 per game. He not only has the highest number at North, but also ranks fifth in the entire league.
While Cunnington has been racking up the clearances, the skipper Swallow has been a tackling machine. Even though he missed three games throughout the regular season, he still registered 142 tackles, good for third in the AFL.
Goals
39 – Drew Petrie
36 – Shaun Higgins
35 – Jarrad Waite
In his first season at Arden Street, Higgins has been a revelation. He has registered individual season-highs in goals, tackles, clearances and games played. He’s also likely to go past his personal levels for disposals and inside 50’s in Sunday’s elimination final.
He looms as the biggest threat to Goldstein’s favouritism, doubly so with the consistency of the former Bulldog. With very few quiet outings, Higgins is likely to poll well throughout the entire night.
Waite is another of North’s 2014 recruits to impress in his first year. Able to play 20 games – his best effort since 21 in 2008 – he is also on the verge of breaking a personal-high. With 35 goals, he’s only one behind the 36 he kicked in both 2005 and 2010.
One percenters
89 – Scott Thompson
76 – Robbie Tarrant
73 – Michael Firrito
The defenders listed in the one percenters have largely been the first choice key position backs during 2015.
After moving from the forward line, Tarrant entered the side in Round 3 and played every game since, the longest consecutive spell of his career.
Able to take the power forwards who have caused North so much trouble in the past, the 26-year-old has only conceded 26 goals in his 20 appearances, an excellent rate.
All of the above means there’ll be multiple players polling well, chasing Goldstein in what should be an entertaining night at the Peninsula on Central Pier at Docklands.
Join all the players and coaches to reflect on the highlights and milestones of the 2015 season, and celebrate the winner of the prestigious Syd Barker Medal on Friday October 9.
On the night, we'll also be celebrating the 400 game milestone of one of our greatest ever Shinboners, Brent 'Boomer' Harvey.
