If ever there’s been a player more deserving of a senior call-up, Daniel Currie could be the man. But while Todd Goldstein continues to perform at senior level, he just has to bide his time in the VFL.  

The Roos’ back-up ruckman has taken all before him in 2013, registering his fourth best-on-ground performance in Werribee’s win over the Northern Blues.

“He did a good job. He had 30-odd hit-outs on a tough day for the big blokes,” development coach John Lamont said of Currie’s efforts on Sunday.

Realistically, it’s going to be tough for Currie to break into the North Melbourne side this year, but the club’s coaching staff can be confident there’s a ready-made big man waiting in the wings.

With 12 disposals and 6 marks to go with a number of hit-outs, Currie was terrific in the Tigers’ 48-point victory.

“He’s keeping Goldy honest. People forget Cuzza got injured. He broke his thumb, missed four weeks, hurt his heel and missed a couple of weeks. They came at key times,” Lamont added.

“He just needs to continue to work hard and do everything right.”

Currie combined in the midfield with Jordan Gysberts, who will take plenty out of his 22-possession game.

Arguably the game-breaker in the first half, he drifted out of the game thereafter.

“Werribee’s had a few games where they haven’t started well, and it’s cost them dearly, so to have Gys go out and have 17 possessions in two quarters is really pleasing.

“He probably didn’t penetrate the game as much as he would have liked, but he won some clearances, and definitely got involved.  Because of his first half, the opposition was more accountable after the main break.

“We’ll (the coaching staff) have to have a good chat with him and work through what the opposition do, how they shut him down and what he did to try and work through it.”

Assigned the role on highly-touted Blues’ midfielder Kane Lucas, rookie Tim McGenniss (16 disposals, 4 tackles) was up to the challenge.

“He shut him (Lucas) right out of the game. He kept him to about 10 touches and had an impact himself,” Lamont added.

“He’s (McGenniss) had a good year. He’s continuing each week to improve and take steps forward in a variety of roles.”

An eight-goal third quarter was the catalyst in the big win, but it was the work down the other end of the field that set the tone.

Michael Firrito (18 disposals, 5 marks) and Scott McMahon were instrumental in defence, ably assisted by Ayden Kennedy (10 disposals).

“They (Firrito and McMahon) both showed their experience. They were steady and kept things in control for much of the day.  It’s what you want to see from those older blokes when they go back to the VFL.  They look like AFL defenders playing in the VFL.”

McMahon (17 disposals, 7 marks) drew particular praise from Lamont.  

“His attitude has been good. He’s playing well enough that if there’s a role there at AFL level, I’m more than happy for him to step up and play.”

Meanwhile, Kieran Harper booted two goals and banged the ball inside 50 on three occasions, while Taylor Hine had a tough day at the office in his first VFL outing for five months assigned to David Ellard.

“It was a good learning day for Taylor,” Lamont said.

“He played through the midfield and whilst he probably got outpointed overall, he would have learnt a bit.

“His attitude was good coming back from the AFL.  He wouldn’t have had the game he would have liked, but he hasn’t let himself down at all, and he’ll come back from that.”