As the Round 8 bye approaches, it’s time to reflect.

NMFC.com.au looks at the first seven rounds, focusing on five of North’s standout performers.

#6: Lachlan Hansen

Settled in the defensive half, the newly re-signed Roo has gone from strength to strength in 2014. Able to play as a third tall alongside Scott Thompson and Nathan Grima, Hansen has still only conceded five goals to his direct opponent through the first seven rounds.

Hansen has been terrific in three games (Round 2, 3, 7), with another two (Round 4, 6) performances among the best.

Highlights

- 30 disposals, 17 marks in Round 7
- 20 disposals, 10 marks in Round 2
- Leads North in intercept marks (15, sixth in AFL)
- Averaging 8.3 marks per game

#10: Ben Cunnington

In the absence of Andrew Swallow and interrupted presence of Jack Ziebell, Cunnington has taken another step forward. He has been North’s premiere inside midfielder so far in 2014.

It’s fair to assume the coaches will have been mightily pleased with Cunnington’s performances inside during the first seven rounds. At this stage of the season, Cunnington has every chance of being on a five-game vote streak in the Syd Barker Medal.

Highlights

- 30 disposals, 11 clearances, 10 tackles in Round 4
- 28 disposals, 10 clearances in Round 5
- Leads North in clearances (52, third in AFL)
- Averaging 24.6 disposals per game

#15: Nick Dal Santo

The big-name addition to North has fitted in seamlessly, impressing in almost every game so far this season. His polish both inside and outside the pack has been an invaluable presence to the team.

Importantly, Dal Santo has been able to stand up even in North’s three losses. He is averaging almost 23 possessions when the Kangaroos have gone down to their opponents. In wins he’s averaged over 29, an impressive figure that could see him near the top of the Syd Barker voting at his new club at this early stage of the season.

Highlights

- Leads North in disposals (186)
- 26 disposals, 10 clearances in Round 7
- 28 disposals, 6 clearances, 6 rebound 50’s in Round 4
- Averaging 26.6 disposals per game

#29: Brent Harvey

At almost 36 years old, Harvey is every chance to enter as favourite for the 2014 Syd Barker Medal if he continues his current vein of form throughout the season. It would be a club record fifth best and fairest for the veteran.

Not only could Harvey be at the top of the Syd Barker Medal after Round 7, the 369-game veteran may be in Brownlow Medal contention at the same time.

Undoubtedly one of the best players on the field in the wins against the Bulldogs, Port Adelaide and Fremantle, ‘Boomer’ has again defied his age to be one of the Kangaroos’ most damaging players.

Highlights

- 25 disposals, 3 goals in Round 2
- 29 disposals in Round 6
- Leads North in total score involvements (59, ninth in AFL)
- Averaging 17.1 uncontested possessions per game (highest since 2006)

#43: Sam Gibson

Perhaps the most underrated player on North Melbourne’s list, Gibson continues to play his role for the team every week. After an uncharacteristically quiet start to the season, the winger has collected more than 20 disposals every week since Round 1.

Four of the last six games have reaped 30 or more possessions, and his tireless work-ethic is starting to win the same respect from outside the club that he has within. A three-game goal kicking streak has capped off his strong run of form.

Highlights

- 33 disposals, 5 inside 50’s in Round 3
- 31 disposals, 2 goals in Round 6
- Averaging 26.3 disposals per game (career-high)

Scott Thompson could consider himself unlucky not to be included in the list; however his one-game suspension and Travis Cloke’s four goals in Round 5 leaves the All-Australian just behind the lead pack heading into the bye.

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