Intro and honourable mentions
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
#5: Drew Petrie
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Time at North: 2001-
Games: 244*
Goals: 309*
One of only two Roos who have played in every season since the start of the millennium, Petrie has played every key position on the ground in his 13 year career.
While he has always been an important player, Petrie’s talent may have been obscured from view slightly by the early years. His versatility led to fluctuating raw stats but he was almost always one of the first selected.
Consider this: since 2003 and excluding an injury ravaged 2010, Petrie has only missed three games, with one of them due to suspension. It’s an incredible feat when the toll exacted on a KPP’s body regularly sees it breaking down as a career progresses.
Settled as a key forward under Brad Scott, Petrie has averaged close to two and a half goals per game in the last three seasons, providing invaluable support to the young key forwards making their way in the AFL.
Very few key forwards around the league have polled more Brownlow votes than Petrie in each of the last three years, showing his stature across the league.
#4: Adam Simpson
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Time at North: 2000-2009 (Debut: 1995)
Games from 2000: 216
Goals from 2000: 48
Syd Barker Medalist in 2002, club captain from 2004 to 2009 and retiring while still playing at a high level, Simpson left a lasting mark on North Melbourne in his time at the club.
Simpson had at least 10 disposals in every single one of his 216 games from 2000, showing his consistency. Between 2000 and 2009, Simpson was second in the AFL in clearances, third in disposals and fourth in contested possessions.
While the former captain never won any style points for his play, his reliability and leadership made for a tough opponent to play against. One of Simpson’s greatest games came at Simonds Stadium against Geelong in 2007. North was the underdog, yet 41 disposals, 10 clearances and a goal from the midfielder led the Roos to an upset win.
Courageous to the end, Simpson played his last game with a torn calf muscle, an injury which would have kept the majority of players out for multiple weeks. He still collected 20 disposals, more than most of the other 43 players on the ground.
#3: Daniel Wells
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Time at North: 2003-
Games: 212*
Goals: 141*
North’s highest ever National Draft selection, the number three ranking in this list shows Wells has gone a long way towards repaying the faith shown in him.
Two-time Syd Barker Medalist, Wells has electrified supporters with his play over 11 years at Aegis Park, and it started early. In just his second year he kicked a game-winning goal against Carlton and earned goal of the year against Fremantle at Patersons Stadium.
Resisting the lure of returning home to Western Australia to make his name as a Roo, on his day Wells can tear a game apart in a quarter. It’s a common statement from the coaching staff that 15-20 disposals from Wells is worth just as much as 30-35 from almost anyone else.
At number three, Wells is quite similar to number two. However while Wells can swing games, the person above him did it on a few more occasions, which gives him the nod.
#2: Shannon Grant
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Time at North: 2000-2008 (Debut: 1995, Sydney)
Games from 2000: 194
Goals from 2000: 240
Many a memorable win through the 2000’s has its roots thanks in large part to a quality Shannon Grant performance.
There’s Round 1, 2002 v Port Adelaide with 20 disposals and 3 goals. Round 11, 2003 v Richmond with 21 disposals and 3 goals. Round 2, 2005 v Sydney with 15 disposals and 3 goals. Round 3, 2005 against St Kilda with 21 disposals and 4 goals. The list goes on and on.
Playing either through the middle or forward, Grant’s ability to play much taller than 180cm caused all sorts of mismatches North would regularly exploit. If a small defender was on Grant, the left footer would use his aerial ability. But then if a bigger defender came Grant’s way, the advantage would switch to the ground ball.
Grant changing games on a more regular basis than Wells gave him the edge for number two.
#1: Brent Harvey
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Time at North: 2000- (Debut: 1996)
Games from 2000: 298*
Goals from 2000: 363*
Was there ever any doubt who number one would be?
Arguably in the top three of all time Shinboners, let alone this list, Harvey has been an irreplaceable part of North Melbourne since 2000 (and prior).
Either through the midfield or in the forward 50, Harvey’s combination of speed and precise disposal makes him almost impossible to shut out of a game. It’s a rare sight to see a kick inside 50 by Harvey end in an opposition possession.
Harvey has been in the top two at the club for score assists in every year except 2004 and 2009 in the last decade, all while still managing to average more than a goal a game himself. He has also collected more than 500 disposals in eight separate seasons since 2000.
The number 29 has also polled Brownlow votes in every year since 2000 (since 1998 to be exact) and has more votes than anyone else in North history.
Final standings
Honourable mentions: Leigh Harding, David Hale, Hamish McIntosh, Jack Ziebell, Nathan Thompson.
20 – Troy Makepeace
19 – Jess Sinclair
18 – Todd Goldstein
17 – Anthony Stevens
16 – Saverio Rocca
15 – Lindsay Thomas
14 – Daniel Harris
13 – Leigh Colbert
12 – Scott Thompson
11 – David King
10 – Corey Jones
9 – Michael Firrito
8 – Andrew Swallow
7 – Brady Rawlings
6 – Glenn Archer
5 – Drew Petrie
4 – Adam Simpson
3 – Daniel Wells
2 – Shannon Grant
1 – Brent Harvey
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