Another scorching Melbourne day couldn’t deter the North Melbourne squad from partaking in an intense session full of match-sense drills and AFLX.
Heading onto Arden St just after 10am with the mercury already climbing past 26 degrees, the players began with a light warm-up jog in the morning sun.
Gordon Narrier and Braydon Preuss warm up in the Melbourne sun.
The players followed up their light-run with some interval sprints and ball work.
Declan Mountford escapes his Marley Williams shaped shadow.
Cricket season is coming to a close, but that didn’t stop the Roos’ stars taking to the slips.
Match-sense drills and simulations were the order of the day, and once warmed up the boys split into two groups, adding a sense of friendly rivalry to the session.
Defense coach Josh Drummond briefs the white team before the first of the match-sense.
Despite the heat, the session was full of intensity, and there were some intriguing contests, none more so than in the ruck.
Todd Goldstein and Braydon Preuss went head to head from the get-go, with the fierce battle too close to call.
The pair pushing each other all the way can only be good for the Roos’ prospects for the season.
Braydon Preuss and Tood Goldstein in one of many closely-fought contests.
In the midfield, Ben Cunnington was impressive as ever at the stoppages, finding plenty of the ball and showing his determination and tenacity in the contest.
Ben Cunnington looks to find a target after winning the ball.
Jy Simpkin has been increasing his involvement with the midfielders, and again looked comfortable in the role.
Jy Simpkin finds Luke McDonald with a handball - while looking the other way.
Following the match-sense drills, the group split into four teams as the coaches marked out the rectangular AFLX field.
With the inaugural tournament just over a week away, the time was now players to put their hand up for the tournament.
In the first game, Billy Hartung was one of the standouts, with his supreme fitness and running ability seemingly a perfect fit for the modified format.
Hartung often found himself with plenty of space and his ability to burst forward was a real danger.
Billy Hartung often found himself with plenty of space in the AFLX simulation.
While much has been made of Braydon Preuss and his ability to kick long in the format, Cameron Zurhaar’s accurate long-kicks could also see him in the frame for selection.
On more than one occasion Zurhaar backed himself to take on the ‘Zooper Goal’ attempt, with the kick on target more often than not.
Cam Zurhaar winds up and kicks one his three 'Zooper Goals'.
The thought of a fit Mason Wood is enough to excite any North fan, and his promising pre-season continues to put him in good stead for round 1.
The athletic forward was again on the end of plenty of good work from the midfield brigade.
Mason Wood takes a strong grab despite pressure from Robbie Tarrant.
Although he has only returned from injury in recent weeks, Marley Williams hasn’t a beat, popping up around the ground in the AFLX mini-game.
Marley Williams kicks a major while the new game clock counts down.
