Lindsay Thomas will be looking for a bag of goals against Port Adelaide on Saturday night after being recalled for the Roos' final match of the season.
The number 12 was the obvious replacement for the retiring Shannon Watt after a dominant performance at VFL level on Sunday. Thomas had 32 possessions and kicked three goals for North Ballarat in its win over Bendigo.
The number 12 was the obvious replacement for the retiring Shannon Watt after a dominant performance at VFL level on Sunday. Thomas had 32 possessions and kicked three goals for North Ballarat in its win over Bendigo.
Despite some impressive performances from North’s VFL aligned players including Corey Jones with five goals and Sam Power with 27 possessions and two majors, caretaker coach Darren Crocker has elected to keep a winning combination together with several players getting another chance to impress at senior level.
Alan Obst will play his fifth match for North Melbourne following a solid performance against the Saints. Obst was pivotal in defence in the final term, only days after being promoted from the Kangaroos’ rookie list.
Out of favour since early in the season, Josh Smith looks to have been given a chance to redeem himself in the final two matches. The 23 year-old had 14 possessions and took five marks last week in his first AFL match since Round 4, while fellow forward Aaron Edwards stamped his claim for a contract renewal with 12 possessions and two important goals.
Midfielder Cruize Garlett had the most effective game of his career against the ladder leaders. The West Australian had 20 possessions against St Kilda and showed off the defensive side of his game with eight tackles to make the most of his opportunity.
Ed Lower may not have had the numbers of some of North's other midfielders, but his hardness around the packs was evident in the dying minutes of a hotly contested match. Lower laid four tackles to go with 10 possessions to earn himself another crack at the highest level.
North Melbourne supporters in Adelaide are reminded that the Roos' will hold an open training session at AAMI Stadium on Friday from 2.50pm. Entry is via Gate 9.
North Melbourne Vs Port Adelaide, Round 22
Saturday, August 29, AAMI Stadium, 7.10pm
B: Josh Gibson (38) Scott Thompson (16) Levi Greenwood (24)
HB: Ed Lower (2) Nathan Grima (17) Alan Obst (40)
C: Liam Anthony (44) Michael Firrito (11) Scott McMahon (42)
HF: Leigh Adams (13) Lachie Hansen (6) Brent Harvey (29)
F: Josh Smith (18) Drew Petrie (20) Matt Campbell (33)
R: Hamish McIntosh (1) Cruize Garlett (32) Brady Rawlings (3)
INT: Andrew Swallow (9) Lindsay Thomas (12) Todd Goldstein (22) Aaron Edwards (27)
EMERG: Sam Power (5) Daniel Pratt (30) Sam Wright (37)
IN: Lindsay Thomas
OUT: Shannon Watt
