1. Interstate form
One of the factors which hampered North’s success in 2013 was its failure to win on the road.
Just the one victory from seven interstate games was highlighted by a lack of offensive flow. Normally such a high scoring team, the Roos only cracked 100 points on one occasion.
Perhaps this is the key to resolving the trouble. If North can look comfortable going forward against the reigning premiers at Aurora Stadium, it will be a good sign for 2014.
2. Six day break
Short breaks are tough for any team to manage and considering North’s first instance of it happens in its first two competitive games of the year, it will most likely take a toll.
In the upcoming home and away season, North is greeted with some important games on the back end of a six day break.
They are:
- Collingwood in Round 5
- Geelong in Round 10
- Adelaide in Round 13 (in Adelaide)
- Brisbane in Round 15 (in Brisbane)
- Hawthorn in Round 16
- Carlton in Round 18
The general fitness of the group comes into focus towards the end of these games as the short break begins to be a factor.
It was a promising sign towards the end of the game in Ballarat with North finishing strongly. Ryan Bastinac even mentioned post-game he saw no-one cramping. Much of the same will be a welcome sight towards the end of Friday’s game, even if the result isn’t ideal.
3. Goldstein’s ruck time
From a team perspective, the final quarters were the most discussed topic externally. However from an individual viewpoint, Todd Goldstein’s time in the ruck had a focus placed on it.
There is no doubt North is a better side when Goldstein is doing the majority of the rucking. At Aurora Stadium, Daniel Currie and Majak Daw will be in the 26-man team, offering Goldstein a chance to rest either on the bench or forward.
Will the presence of Currie and Daw allow Goldstein to run out the game better? Or does the reduced ruck time have the opposite effect on the number 22, and restrict him from getting into a rhythm at contests around the ground?
Either way it is an intriguing subplot, and could influence the key forward structure during the season.
Squads
NORTH MELBOURNE
1. Daniel Currie, 2. Brad McKenzie, 3. Ryan Bastinac, 5. Ben Jacobs, 6. Lachlan Hansen, 7. Jack Ziebell, 8. Daniel Wells, 10. Ben Cunnington, 12. Lindsay Thomas, 14. Trent Dumont, 15. Nick Dal Santo, 16. Scott Thompson, 18. Shaun Atley, 19. Sam Wright, 20. Drew Petrie, 21. Luke McDonald, 22. Todd Goldstein, 27. Taylor Garner, 28. Robin Nahas, 29. Brent Harvey, 31. Cam Delaney, 34. Jamie MacMillan, 35. Aaron Black, 36, Joel Tippett, 38. Majak Daw, 41.Aaron Mullett, 42. Scott McMahon, 43. Sam Gibson, 44. Max Warren
HAWTHORN
2. Jarryd Roughead, 3. Jordan Lewis, 4. Matt Suckling, 5. Sam MITCHELL, 6. Josh Gibson, 7. Ben McEvoy 9.Shaun Burgoyne, 10. Bradley Hill, 12. Brad Sewell, 13. Kyle Cheney, 15. Luke Hodge, 16. Isaac Smith 18. Jonathon Ceglar, 19. Jack Gunston, 20. David Hale, 21. Ben Ross, 22. Luke Breust, 23. Tim O'Brien, 26. Liam Shiels, 29. Will Langford, 30. Luke Lowden, 31. Angus Litherland, 32. Jonathan Simpkin, 33. Cyril Rioli, 35. Sam Grimley, 36. Derick Wanganeen, 38. Mitch Hallahan, 39. Alex Woodward, 46. Kurt Heatherley
