The departure of Levi Greenwood leaves a question over how North Melbourne will set up in the centre of the ground next season.

As one of North’s most prominent inside midfielders in terms of quantity of centre square involvements and clearances, the left footer’s absence will create plenty of opportunity for those at Arden Street in 2015.

There are two distinct options that the coaching staff and match committee will likely consider over the summer.

Keeping the same midfield rotations

Retaining the status quo from 2014 will mean placing another player in Greenwood’s role for 2015. From the players currently on North’s list, two stand out (listed in no particular order).

Trent Dumont

In his first season at the Kangaroos, Dumont consistently stood out at VFL level for North Ballarat. Playing predominantly on the inside, the South Australian quickly became one of the Roosters’ most important cogs in the midfield.

Already possessing clean hands in close, the right footer also improved his fitness base over the course of the season. It resulted in a noticeable upgrade in Dumont’s ability to get to more contests, keeping him in the game for longer periods.

Pick 30 in the 2013 National Draft, Dumont had various stints playing forward. Fortunate to have a strong contested and overhead mark for his size, the added dimension to his game would allow greater flexibility through the North midfield.

Ben Jacobs

Although Jacobs’ role in the second half of 2014 was to play off half-back, the left footer has shown his capability when playing as an inside midfielder.

His first five games for North Ballarat, all in the role of a midfielder, yielded an incredible disposal average of 37. The streak included taking the scalp of Hawthorn premiership star Will Langford, a player Jacobs won 19 possessions on in a half.

Jacobs showed glimpses of what he could do in the role in early substitute appearances, but ultimately the first-choice midfield proved too strong to break into. A second consecutive full pre-season could be just the tonic he needs to make the spot his own.

Changing the midfield rotations

At times this season, North was exposed on the outside for run and carry. With Greenwood’s departure, the potential is there to correct the midfield balance – if there is a need.

The arrival of Shaun Higgins gives the Kangaroos the chance to change the balance. The former Bulldog has top-quality foot skills and has the ability to thrive playing in a side aiming for a finals run.

Ryan Bastinac had a quieter 2014 but he too may thrive on the added responsibility. Asked to play more of an outside role, his contested possession numbers dipped, but he’s more than capable of rounding out his game.

A full season from each of Andrew Swallow, Jack Ziebell and Ben Cunnington would make this choice much easier for the coaching staff. The trio would likely be the mainstays of North’s contested possession and allow the rest of the midfield to run free and cause havoc on the outside.

Wildcard: Draft selections

On face value, expecting a draft pick to come into a top-four side and immediately contribute is a longshot, at best.

However at this stage in 2013, very few people would have predicted that a 20-year-old Tasmanian selected at Pick 47 would play a big part in winning an Elimination Final. Or that an 18 year old, arriving via the Rookie Draft at 67 kilograms, would play all three of the side’s finals.

Whichever way the North Melbourne coaching staff decides to go, they have a multitude of options to work through over the summer on the training track.