Through the first two competitive hit-outs for North Melbourne in 2015, there have been a host of promising signs.
Even though the results are usually secondary during the pre-season, a victory over the reigning premiers in Hawthorn would have given the playing list great confidence.
Here are four takeaways from the games against the Crows and Hawks.
1. Strong finishes look to be a feature again
During the 2014 home and away season, North won 15 final terms and was the best defensive team in the competition during the period.
Even allowing for a wind advantage against Adelaide and Hawthorn – as Brad Scott joked, ‘if we can get a tail wind every week we’ll be great finishers’, the Kangaroos have kicked 10 goals to one over the last two weeks, with a 58-point advantage.
Defensively the 2014 outfit looks to have rolled over into 2015, with evidence showing particularly in the final quarter in Shepparton. The Hawks spent almost 15 minutes in their forward half; double the amount of time North had at the other end of the ground.
But the Kangaroos were able to absorb the pressure, particularly early in the term, and then counter punch late and run away with the 13 point victory.
2. Backline depth is promising
With the long-term absence of Nathan Grima, and with Lachlan Hansen still recovering from a hip injury, there has been the chance for key defenders to put their name forward for a potential Round 1 spot.
Robbie Tarrant and Joel Tippett have turned in two solid performances, against forward lines which possess quality key-position players. No opposition tall has managed more than two goals against the North defence so far. While it comes with the caveat that it still is the NAB Challenge, it is a promising sign.
3. Free agent acquisitions fitting in
The introduction of Shaun Higgins and Jarrad Waite into the best 22 was made with the theory of giving the Kangaroos additional class both through the middle and up forward.
Higgins immediately proceeded to be one of the club’s best players against Adelaide, registering 17 disposals and three goals. Likely to split his time through the middle and half forward, the former Bulldog is already ‘ready to play’, according to Scott.
Waite was another to impress, also kicking three goals against the Crows and providing a deep 50 target in limited game time against the Hawks. In his game and a half, the 31-year-old has shown what he will add to the forward structure that has been extremely potent in the last two seasons.
4. More flexibility up forward
When Waite’s arrival was initially announced, NMFC.com.au looked at how he could improve the club’s forward line even further.
RELATED: Waite: How does he fit?
It was a common sight to see Waite as the deepest forward against Adelaide; when Drew Petrie has been inside the 50 it’s been rare for anyone other than him to be in a similar position over the last few seasons.
Waite bringing another quality contested mark into the forward setup allows Petrie to roam with much more freedom than before, while still keeping the basic principles that has allowed North to kick some extremely high scores under Brad Scott.
If Petrie is needed as a second ruckman the forward-line will be able to keep functioning smoothly, and of course if the two are in the 50 simultaneously they’d be favoured to get their hands on an incoming delivery.
North finishes its pre-season campaign on Saturday March 21 against Richmond at Etihad Stadium. The game begins at 1:10pm EDST.
