Former AFL power forwards Jonathan Brown and Brendan Fevola believe Jarrad Waite will bring class and experience to North’s reconfigured front half this season.
Waite, who turns 32 on Wednesday, joined the Kangaroos on a two-year deal via free agency after spending 13 years at Carlton.
Brown said the addition of Waite will help ease the workload on fellow tall Drew Petrie.
“It’s good for North Melbourne – it’s one of the areas that they certainly would’ve looked to upgrade and help Petrie (with) especially,” Brown told NMFC.com.au.
"I saw a few of Jarrad's games last year and I was probably surprised that Carlton let him leave."
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While Waite has experienced his share of injuries over his 184-game career, Brown said the Roos made the right call to “roll the dice” on the former Blue.
“When he’s out there, he’s been a very good player – he’s dynamic, he can kick a big bag of goals (and) he’s got a bit of X-factor about him so he seems young enough,” he said.
But the Lions’ triple premiership player said Waite will need to remain disciplined on the field.
“He’s been suspended a few times so if he can wipe that thing out of his game, I think it’s a good thing,” he said.
Fevola, who played alongside Waite at Visy Park over the course of 11 years, said his former teammate made the right decision to part ways with the Blues.
“He was getting a bit stale at Carlton and I think a change will be great for him,” Fevola said.
“‘Waitey’s’ got a massive engine, he’s probably one of the fittest half-forwards, centre half-forwards going around so if he can get up the ground with ‘Dal’ (Nick Dal Santo) and Jack Ziebell hitting him up, I think he’ll be a great target for them (the Kangaroos).”
The dual Coleman medallist said he hopes Waite will be able to improve his accuracy in front of goal after registering 27 goals and 17 behinds in his 16 appearances last season.
“Hopefully he kicks straight because sometimes he gets the yips but I think he’ll be a great acquisition for them,” he said.