Since the bye, North Melbourne has strung together a strong run of form, with the Roos well and truly lifting their game in the second half of the season.
A draw with GWS, followed by a tight loss to Brisbane still leaves North searching for its first win since the break, and David Noble may look to tweak the side ahead of this weekend’s clash with Gold Coast.
North Media takes a look at who is in the mix.
Will Phillips put together an arguably best on ground performance in North’s VFL win over Coburg, with the first-year player showcasing his inside midfield ability.
Phillips exploded with 30 disposals, 9 clearances, 7 tackles and 19 contested possessions as he imposed himself in a midfield battle filled with more experienced bodies.
With Todd Goldstein winning 53 hitouts against Brisbane in Round 14, Phillips could come into the side and take full advantage of the silver service the veteran ruck offers the senior side.
Eddie Ford continues to push for his first call up to the AFL side, with the young forward capable of filling a number of roles in the front half of the ground.
Kicking two goals from 17 disposals against Coburg, Ford impressed just as much with his contested work higher up the ground as he did with his contested marking and his goal kicking.
If he continues in his current vein of form, it will only get more and more difficult to leave him out of the senior side.
North’s VFL defensive stocks were bolstered by the return of Kyron Hayden, as the young defender returned from a hamstring injury to play his first competitive football since Round 5.
Hayden looked sharp and completed his defensive responsibilities to a high standard, however the match committee may want him to spend more time at VFL level to prove his fitness.
Joining Hayden in the back line was Atu Bosenavulagi, whose intercept marking throughout the game proved key to North getting the result against a strong Coburg outfit.
Finishing with 17 disposals, Bosenavulagi also reminded fans of his quality with the ball going forward, taking part in key passages of play and kicking a goal of his own.
Connor Menadue shifted forward for the first time in North colours after playing the bulk of this season as a defender, and he repaid the faith shown in him by VFL coach Leigh Adams.
Menadue finished with two goals including a smartly taken snap from the left pocket, while his defensive nous kept the pressure on Coburg’s defence all game long.
His run and drive up the wing also proved crucial in the sealing goal with less than a minute to go in one of his best performances in North colours to date.
Tom Campbell suffered an ankle knock in the first quarter, however the veteran ruck was still able to inject his quality and experience into the game to help lead his side to victory.
Winning the ruck battle with 29 hitouts, Campbell still managed to finish with 21 disposals and a smartly taken goal, while also finishing with 5 marks and 4 tackles.
Much like Tristan Xerri was pushing Campbell for a spot in the senior side, Campbell is well and truly pushing back.
Patrick Walker had no issues finding the football in the back line and on the wing in the VFL, with the young defender amassing 25 disposals and 10 marks in an efficient performance.
Walker’s full array of kicking skills were on show over the course of the game as he found target after target to help set his side up for multiple successful forays forward.
