But just where will the 29-year-old fit in at Aegis Park?
There’s no doubting given his recent form, abilities and experience, he’ll be one of the first picked come Round 1 but will it be as a rebounding defender or will he slot straight into the midfield alongside the likes of Daniel Wells, Ben Cunnington and Jack Ziebell?
Just how will Dal Santo affect the makeup of the North side?
When you consider the North 22 for the final round against Collingwood and the players who missed out, the club’s depth is apparent.
B: Lachlan Hansen, Luke Delaney, Aaron Mullett
HB: Ryan Bastinac, Michael Firrito, Shaun Atley
C: Sam Wright, Daniel Wells, Sam Gibson
HF: Jamie Macmillan, Robbie Tarrant, Brent Harvey
F: Lindsay Thomas, Drew Petrie, Aaron Black
Fol: Todd Goldstein, Ben Cunnington, Jack Ziebell
Int: Brad McKenzie, Ben Jacobs, Taylor Garner, Will Sierakowski (delisted)
Did not play: (senior-listed - number order) Daniel Currie, Liam Anthony, Andrew Swallow, Leigh Adams, Scott Thompson, Nathan Grima, Kieran Harper, Levi Greenwood, Taylor Hine, Tom Curran, Cameron Delaney, Mason Wood, Mitch Wilkins, Majak Daw, Scott McMahon.
Dal Santo was used regularly behind the ball for the Saints and another experienced head would strengthen the Kangaroos’ defence. Last week, he acknowledged a need to add more strings to his bow and mentioned playing more off half-back and needing to kick goals when pushing forward.
Shaun Atley and Aaron Mullett have established themselves across half-back and won’t be easily replaced, even by a player of Dal Santo’s calibre.
Perhaps a move on-ball for Atley, now with three years’ experience, could be on the cards. With all the physical traits of an elite midfielder including exhilarating pace and outstanding endurance, his biggest challenge is finding consistency over four quarters.
Luke Delaney is out following his defection to St Kilda and Scott Thompson is a lock to return after an All-Australian season. Nathan Grima is more than capable, as is Scott McMahon despite falling out of favour, while North will no doubt be looking to get games into Cameron Delaney. Meanwhile Jamie Macmillan is a consistent role player in the back half.
But they all can’t fit in. Can Thompson, Grima, Hansen and Firrito play in the same side?
Then there’s Luke McDonald. He’s enjoyed senior experience at VFL level and wouldn’t look out of place.
The midfield brigade looks established and is only going to improve with more games for Ziebell, Cunnington and Bastinac, but pressure will surely come from those underneath.
Taylor Hine had a promising first season as a tagger, Liam Anthony is a proven performer and tough nut Levi Greenwood was unlucky not to play more.
Ben Jacobs had a promising end to the year with a string of appearances, while Sam Gibson secured his spot on a wing. Andrew Swallow may miss the start, but as captain and the most influential player at the club in the last five years, he will win back his spot.
Todd Goldstein had a dominant season in the ruck, but it was only six months ago Daniel Currie was agonizingly close to a Round 1 debut. Re-signed for another year, he’ll have a point to prove.
The polish of Dal Santo on the ball could allow Brent Harvey to spend more time forward, where the competition for spots will be equally as competitive.
Look at Majak Daw. Not many players who’ve lined up for six games have enjoyed as much fanfare, but after a six goal haul in his fourth outing, how can anyone be surprised? He’ll be battling it out with Robbie Tarrant, Drew Petrie and Aaron Black for a spot in the three-pronged attack. Second-year youngster Mason Wood also looked more than capable in a key-post before injury struck, while Tom Curran has had a wretched run of luck.
Alternatively, the addition of Leigh Tudor as senior assistant coach could lead to a smaller, more defensive-minded front six.
Taylor Garner is a tackling machine with x-factor. Leigh Adams will be in line to gain his spot back. Throw Kieran Harper into the mix after a year to forget and the best small-forward in the competition Lindsay Thomas and there’s reason for excitement.
Somewhat of a specialist substitute, Brad McKenzie adds something every team needs desperately, precision ball use. Like Atley, he simply needs to run out games better.
Of course, a fully fit, healthy list to choose from come the first round is unlikely, but let’s envisage that is the case. Who is in the best 22 and where does Dal Santo play?
Have your say below.
To make things easier, here is the full list of players currently on North’s senior list:
Nick Dal Santo, Luke McDonald, 1. Daniel Currie, 2. Brad McKenzie, 3. Ryan Bastinac, 4. Liam Anthony, 5. Ben Jacobs, 6. Lachlan Hansen, 7. Jack Ziebell, 8. Daniel Wells, 9. Andrew Swallow, 10. Ben Cunnington, 11. Michael Firrito, 12. Lindsay Thomas, 13. Leigh Adams, 16. Scott Thompson, 17. Nathan Grima, 18. Shaun Atley, 19. Sam Wright, 20. Drew Petrie, 22. Todd Goldstein, 23. Kieran Harper, 24. Levi Greenwood, 25. Robbie Tarrant, 26. Taylor Hine, 27. Taylor Garner, 29. Brent Harvey, 30. Tom Curran, 31. Cameron Delaney, 32. Mason Wood, 33. Mitch Wilkins, 34. Jamie Macmillan, 35. Aaron Black, 38. Majak Daw, 41. Aaron Mullett, 42. Scott McMahon, 43. Sam Gibson
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