While North Melbourne awaits its finals fate over the weekend, its Werribee-affiliated players have the perfect chance to audition for a senior spot with a high-stakes VFL outing on Sunday. The Tigers will take on Essendon in an Elimination Final.

Daniel Currie was named in the bests to round out the home and away season, and considering the Bombers will be missing David Hille, the opportunity is there for the big man to make the centre square his own.

The target of the majority of his ruck-work will most likely be either Jordie Gysberts or Tim McGenniss. The latter has been a revelation in recent weeks, improving his game to the point where he restricted promising Pies’ youngster Kyle Martin to 10 disposals, while collecting 18 himself last week.

At full-back, Ayden Kennedy may find himself with the difficult task of manning Joe Daniher.

When Essendon’s AFL side faced North in Round 21, the highly-touted forward showed his potential, troubling Luke Delaney on occasions.

Kennedy has shown glimpses of his talent this season, without finding a sustained run of form. Against Daniher he’ll have to be switched on from siren to siren to neutralise the attacking threat.

Elsewhere in Werribee’s defensive 50, Cory Dell’Olio looms as the likely match-up for Taylor Hine. Since returning to the VFL, the first-year Roo has been unable to recapture the stellar defensive form which led to his senior call-up, but an important assignment in a big game could be the tonic needed to get things rolling again.

By his own admission, it’s been a disappointing year for Kieran Harper, but he and Ben Speight will look to provide the spark in the forward half.

Werribee v Essendon
Sunday 1st September
North Port Oval, 2:10pm EST
Live on ABC TV

North Melbourne listed players (possible)

- Daniel Currie
- Levi Greenwood
- Jordie Gysberts
- Kieran Harper
- Taylor Hine
- Ayden Kennedy
- Tim McGenniss
- Scott McMahon
- Will Sierakowski
- Ben Speight