During North Melbourne’s bye week, NMFC.com.au catches up with the assistant coaches to get their thoughts on every player on the club's list.

Following Tuesday's look at the midfielders, today Brett Allison discusses the forwards.

Related content: The defenders | The midfielders

Leigh Adams
11 senior games, 5 goals
“Patch has been a bit up and down this season. He’s been getting a bit more attention from opposition teams, getting some recognition that he was flying under the radar in seasons gone by.

“He’s starting to get his work rate back up to the level it needs to be in the last fortnight. We play him in a really specific role as a high half-forward, who impacts at stoppages and then works back in the forward line as it transitions.

“His in and under work and stoppage work around the forward line has been his best attribute so far this season."

Aaron Black
7 senior games, 17 goals
“Blacky’s been a pleasing addition to the side. We’ve always seen the talent that he’s had.

“He’s as strong in the air as he is at ground level, so that makes him really hard to match up on for opposition teams.

“He’s worked really hard on his fitness over the last pre-season as well and that’s transferred into his play. His reaction time to the defensive side of play is an area for him to keep working on.

“His tackling is really good but he can react slowly at times which doesn’t give him the chance to tackle.”

“We’re really happy to have him in the side because we had been trying to get him in for a while.”

Tom Curran
“When Tom gets back his first priority would be to complete as much pre-season work as possible. He hasn’t been able to do one since he came here so fitness levels would be the main thing to get right.

“His strength work will be on, if not ahead of schedule because that’s about all he’s able to do while the foot is healing.

“Until he can put his foot on the ground properly again, it will be a delicate balancing act strengthening his upper body."

Majak Daw
6 senior games, 9 goals
“We can certainly see that he can do some special things. Athletically and skill wise he’s suited to the game no problem, and that’s not what is going to hold him back.

“His game sense and knowing what he has to do based on where the ball is on the ground is next. Defensively, it’s just reaction time to cover off and find a man when the opposition takes possession of the ball.”

Taylor Garner
“Taylor needs to work on his fitness levels. As a first year player, it’s not unexpected.

“He can impact the game at VFL level and he’s looked comfortable there at times but at the moment he can’t do it for long enough."

Kieran Harper
3 senior games, 0 goals
“For Harps it’s about consistency and being able to impact the game for four quarters. We see the brilliant stuff he can do and we know he’s going to be an important player for us going forward.

“The small mid-forward role is not an easy role to play. The ball is directed to the taller forwards most of the time so you’re relying on spilt marks or crumbs on the ground. Then you’ve got to be in the right place at the right time to make it happen. Some days you can’t get near it and then a week later you’re doing exactly the same thing and the ball won’t leave you alone."

Brent Harvey
5 senior games, 8 goals
“His ball use and run and carry is always of the highest quality. The main area of his game to keep thinking about is his defensive side.

“He’s really working his way through taggers well this season. I don’t see that as a problem for Harvey since he’s been back playing.

“It’s about his intent and going in to win the ball. When that’s going well he’s the complete player for us.”

Drew Petrie
11 senior games, 25 goals
“When our players have no option on, they know they can bang the ball long and they’ll get a contest from him. He’s our beacon, our biggest and strongest key forward.

“Sometimes he gets wrapped up a little by opposition defenders so it’s about being able to keep moving to prevent that.

“It can be a tough balancing act between being that key forward in the contest and still moving enough to stop the key defender from locking him up.”

Cam Richardson
“Richo has been contributing well for North Ballarat playing as a forward. He’s been kicking goals and playing his role as he works his way back to full fitness.”

Robbie Tarrant
3 senior games, 5 goals

“We just need to get Robbie right. We know what he can do when he’s in the side.

"His work rate is second to none in terms of being able to lead and present over the whole game."

Lindsay Thomas
11 senior games, 35 goals
“Lindsay put a lot of work into improving his fitness and work rate over pre-season. The pleasing part is not only has he got himself fit but he’s been able to transfer it into the game. He’s been able to get himself to more contests and he’s getting rewards for it.

“Some players are really good runners if you tell them to run two kilometres, but put them in a game and they don’t seem to run. There’s a mental side to that but the pleasing part for Lindsay is transferring it to game day.

“The easy part for forwards to forget is the defensive side of their game. When Lindsay’s on he’s as good as there is in hassling the opposition and forcing them to make rushed decisions. It’s about making the defensive side of the game the foundation.

“If the defensive side of his game is spot on it’s amazing how many times he gets involved because of it.”

Eric Wallace
“He’s a very smart individual and he picks things up very quickly. He learns something new each week with the little idiosyncrasies of the game, his positioning and how to play when the ball is in the air.

“He’s making gradual improvements every week. The way he goes about it with his thirst for knowledge is a credit to him.”

– Josh Drummond

Mason Wood
“Mason is one who is a strong runner already and his endurance levels are pretty good. That’s his strength.

“He’s a good running, leading player at VFL level. He’s probably closer to playing AFL football than he thinks.

“The defensive side of his game is going to be the next part to work on, without the football at AFL level – he may get away with some things at VFL level but that’s the next area.

“He presents well and takes marks on the lead. At the moment, pack marking is not what he does; he’ll give an honest contest but he’s a first year player who needs to put a few kilos on in the gym before improving that side of his game.

“He’s probably more along the lines of a Stewart Crameri (Essendon) type, rather than a clunking, marking Drew Petrie type."

Sam Wright
10 senior games, 5 goals
“Sam could still be anywhere and everywhere depending on what the team needs in any given week. His versatility has been his strength, playing in all areas of the ground.

“For Sam it’s all about taking his opportunities in front of goal. He’s had some chances to kick goals and impact the scoreboard but hasn’t nailed those shots.

“He’s a natural forward, which is why we use him in that defensive role. We know that he’s disciplined enough to shut down the opposition’s creative playmaker, but he still has those natural tendencies to present and get used. It makes those players accountable because they can’t drop off Wright."