Firrito's welcome return
Remarkably, Michael Firrito is one of just eight current North players to have tasted success against Sydney.
Remarkably, Firrito is one of just eight current Kangaroos' to have tasted success against Sydney.
Two of that group (Nick Dal Santo and Robin Nahas) have come from opposition clubs, while Leigh Adams, Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Andrew Swallow, Daniel Wells and Firrito were in the side that took the points way back in Round 6, 2007 at Etihad Stadium.
To put things in perspective, Adams was playing just his second game, Swallow was yet to win a Syd Barker Medal and Brent Harvey was ‘only’ 28 with just over 200 games to his name.
No doubt desperate to prove himself, not only to help North turn the tables against the Swans but also to win back his spot permanently, Firrito is the only inclusion to the team that defeated Port Adelaide.
The defender racked up 31 disposals and pulled down 8 marks in Werribee’s Round 1 fixture, and comes in to provide extra cover in the absence of Jamie Macmillan (broken leg).
Liam Anthony was talked up as a possible inclusion during the week by Brad Scott, but will have to continue his good form at VFL level to press for a call-up.
Nahas and key back Joel Tippett have been named alongside Anthony as emergencies, with at least one of the trio to sit out North Ballarat’s match tomorrow as travelling emergency.
After coming in as a late inclusion against the Power, Ben Jacobs has retained his spot, while Daniel Currie and Todd Goldstein are set to share the ruck duties for another week.
Backs A.Mullett 41 N.Grima 17 N.Dal Santo 15
Half Backs S.Atley 18 S.Thompson 16 L.Greenwood 24
Centreline S.Gibson 43 R.Bastinac 3 B.Jacobs 5
Half Forwards L.Thomas 12 A.Black 35 B.Cunnington 10
Forwards D.Currie 1 D.Petrie 20 L.Hansen 6
Followers T.Goldstein 22 D.Wells 8 B.Harvey 29
Interchange B.McKenzie 2 M.Firrito 11 L.Adams 13 L.McDonald 21
Emergencies L.Anthony 4 R.Nahas 28 J.Tippett 36
In: M.Firrito
Out: J.Macmillan (Leg)