A new coach and 13 new players through the doors at Arden St meant that 2021 was always billed as a year of development for North Melbourne.
Key players such as Robbie Tarrant, Luke McDonald, Trent Dumont, Jed Anderson, Jared Polec and Aidan Corr have all been sidelined for the majority of the season, allowing opportunity for the Roos' youth.
David Noble has repeatedly acknowledged the importance of his young players being exposed to important roles on some of the game’s best players, and this exposure is sure to hold the Roos in good stead in the future.
The numbers tell the story; as of Round 8, North has fielded 16 players aged 23 or younger, with just three of those players, Jy Simpkin (81), Jaidyn Stephenson (62) and Cam Zurhaar (51), having more than 50 games’ experience.
Tarryn Thomas (34 games) is one of those players who has taken on more responsibility, and is enjoying an increase in his output, as he spends time across both the midfield and forward-line.
His disposals (14.5), marks (3.8) and inside 50s (3.4) are all career-bests, as is his average of a goal per game.
Luke Davies-Uniacke (36 games) is another whose numbers have increased in 2021.
With career-high possession numbers (18.8), marks (4.5) and inside 50s (4.8), he’s relishing more game time at the coalface.
11 of the 16 players aged 23 or younger have lined up in less than 23 games, about the length of one AFL season.
In the absence of Tarrant and Corr, Ben McKay is rapidly becoming one of North’s most important defenders, with some brilliant early season performances on some of the most dangerous key-forwards in the competition.
His numbers suggest that he is developing into one of the best young key-defenders in the AFL, sitting sixth in the competition for spoils and having the fifth-highest disposal efficiency among key defenders (min 5 games played).
The best part? Remarkably, he’s only 23 games into his career.
Jack Mahony (18 games) ranks in the top 10 among rising stars for tackles, contested possessions and marks inside 50s.
Having joined from other clubs in recent seasons, Aiden Bonar (19 games), Lachie Young (16 games) and Atu Bosenavulagi (6 games) have all gained valuable experience in the Roos’ backline.
North’s draft class of 2020 has made an instant impact, with its top three selections of Will Phillips, Tom Powell and Charlie Lazzaro having debuted already.
Powell’s start to life in the AFL has been nothing short of immense.
The number 24 ranks in the top 10 for rising stars in the following categories: disposals, kicks, handballs, effective disposals, tackles, inside 50s, goal assists, marks, clearances, score involvements, rebound 50s and intercepts.
Despite not receiving a nomination yet, he is one of the favourites to take out the NAB Rising Star award at season’s end.
While it’s hard to ignore the current ladder position and win-loss record, it’s important to acknowledge the invaluable experience North’s youth are being afforded in 2021, and the improvements on show each week.
