No more wishing Wells
The re-signing of Daniel Wells was met by a huge cheer from his teammates
TUESDAY morning. Another North Melbourne media opportunity.
The weekly open sessions are popular with the throng of footy writers and reporters, and rightfully so. The Roos always have something to say.
But there was a bigger buzz today, and it purred when those who had filed in were asked to step out momentarily while the players were addressed.
Most knew what was in store, thanks to the suggestions of a Monday night TV program, but given the importance of this announcement many craved hard word.
Drew Petrie, always beaming, made a beeline for the room and soon followed the perennially unassuming Daniel Wells, who may have wondered what all of the fuss was about.
Again the door closed, with initial silence broken by applause and cheering. Even hooting.
The merriment would return once the formalities were over.
As the media was invited back in, club chief Eugene Arocca looked far more disposed than his player, and so too did every other contributor to Sunday's win over Carlton.
Most lined the walls, some nestled around the forum. Others bantered across the group or spoke between themselves. The remainder were glued to the stage like model schoolchildren.
As the murmur faded, it was apparent what Wells means to North. And will continue to.
On this occasion, wearing blue and white for two more years, and captain Adam Simpson would later acknowledge that rapport:
"Daniel's got such a great character. He displays great leadership, very humble, I think [everyone] realises that, but he's a great club person."
Wells spoke quietly, almost without confidence, but a balance was struck with the presence of Arocca – a common denominator at each major notice of recent months.
This was another that would end any uncertainty.
Petrie, McIntosh, Firrito, Pratt, Rawlings and Jones have signed on in recent months and, despite the impetus of those, each was followed by a common question.
'Where's Wells at?'
For what the midfielder represents to Roos supporters, cast no further back than the success of the last six weeks.
A run of wins to go with six crucial performances from a man many feared would return to Perth at the end of this season.
He's never flagged a departure but, for a 17-year-old indigenous boy who made the move east at the end of 2002, the threat was always there. Now he's serving as mentor to Lindsay Thomas and Matt Campbell, who may follow this lead before the end of the month.
And hype around potential will soon be consigned as Wells, senior player, moves to make brilliance his norm.
Asked whether he felt his best football was ahead of him, his reply was simple.
"I think so, yeah. I hope so."
"So do we," Arocca chimed in with a laugh, speaking on behalf of more than 34,000 members and everyone else riding the contagious momentum of the club from Arden Street.