North coach Brad Scott says midfielder Trent Dumont’s inclusion in the Roos’ extended 25-man squad for Sunday’s clash against Geelong is a reward for his pre-season form.
The 19-year-old was named among North Ballarat’s best players in the VFL last weekend, accumulating 15 touches, four clearances and four tackles in the second term, before finishing with 25 disposals and 11 tackles.
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Scott said he is confident Dumont will replicate his early-season performances should he be given the nod to face the Cats.
"We’re coming into the stage of the year where tough inside midfielders are required and he’s a good chance to come in and complement our midfield, with (Daniel) Wells not coming back and (Nick) Dal Santo being away," Scott told NMFC.com.au on Thursday.
"He’s a natural footballer, he’s a tough inside midfielder who can win his own ball and he’s a fierce tackler.
"He knows how to read the play and he’s worked really hard in the pre-season to get an opportunity."
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Defender Jamie Macmillan has been named after missing the past two matches with Achilles soreness.
Scott said the 23-year-old is in line to return for the clash against Geelong.
"He’s been medically cleared to play, so he’s an important player for us and he’ll come back into the side," Scott said.
"He fits into the Wells category, where we didn’t pick him last week because he wasn’t 100 per cent, but he trained really well today."
Wells, who was substituted out at half-time in round two against the Brisbane Lions with a left Achilles injury, will miss another week.
"We’re not going to play him until he is absolutely 100 per cent," Scott said.
"He’s not far off but he’s not quite there."
Scott said midfielder Jack Ziebell will be given every opportunity to prove his fitness after completing the club’s main training session on Thursday.
"He feels really good, he feels like he doesn’t have any symptoms at all," he said.
"We just got to tick off the lung function tests and make sure that the bruise he had last week is fully resolved, and if it’s fully resolved … then we’ll clear him to play."
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"A natural footballer"
“He knows how to read the play and he’s worked really hard in the pre-season to get an opportunity.”