SANFL 2019 season preview: Premier North Adelaide to let footy do the talking

North Adelaide coach Josh Carr is devoting as little time dwelling on last season’s premiership success as he is to the fallout from the 19th man controversy that will see the Roosters start the season four points in arrears.

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North Adelaide is devoting as little time dwelling on last season’s premiership success as it is to the fallout from the 19th man controversy.

The Roosters’ stunning transformation from wooden spooner to champion was tempered by the four-point deduction they carry into their first flag defence in 27 years.

But coach Josh Carr refuses to focus on the expectations of his side or its punishment for fielding an extra player for four minutes in its preliminary final win.

North Adelaide captain Max Thring gets his kick away from Jared Petrenko and Nick Hayes during the preliminary final. Picture SARAH REED

“You get reminded from people, especially supporters, about what the flag meant to the football club,” said Carr, entering his fourth season at the helm. “But, at the same time, we don’t see ourselves as defending the premiership or anything like that, we just see ourselves chasing the same cup as everyone else.

“We touched on it (point deduction) at the start of pre-season ... just to remind the boys we have to be better and we have to improve. But that was the only message because we can’t afford to let that creep into our minds and let the pressure build up.

“It’s just about us taking care of our own football and letting that do the talking.”

North recovered from a 10-goal Round 1 loss to Central District to win nine of its next 10 matches on its march to an unlikely premiership decider triumph over Norwood.

Carr backed his charges to display similar resilience this season, despite losing five flag-winning players to the AFL system.

Youngsters Connor Rozee and Boyd Woodcock were drafted by Port Adelaide, while Jordon Sweet (Western Bulldogs) and Callum Wilkie and Robbie Young (St Kilda) also departed.

In comes small forward Jake Neade, following 66 games and 55 goals in six seasons at the Power, along with Ben Jarman, who has returned to the club after being delisted by the Crows.

North Adelaide players celebrate after winning last year’s grand final at Adelaide Oval. Picture SARAH REED

Carr expects big things from triple Northern Areas Mail Medal winner Campbell Coombe, back at Prospect after four years with Crystal Brook. Keith recruit Bill Laurie has also impressed in pre-season, as he links up with his cousin, Roosters captain Max Thring.

“It’s great we can show we can develop these players and they can go on and get drafted,” former Port and Fremantle midfielder Carr said.

“As far as replacing those players goes we’ve done OK but time will tell how well. Jake is a really smart footballer and his AFL experience is going to really help. We’ve also got some good young guys coming through from last year who played in a reserves flag and they can step up.”

North will get an early reminder of its contentious finals victory over Woodville-West Torrens when it meets the Eagles at Woodville Oval in its season-opener.

Carr, the second-longest serving mentor in the competition after Central District veteran Roy Laird, welcomed the test of his progress and his team’s maturity.

“Each year I feel like I’m improving,” Carr, 38, said. “I’m confident but at the same time I still know I’ve got a lot to learn.

“At the start of last year, people obviously saw us as the 10th-ranked side and we won the flag. You can’t underestimate anyone and we know that come Round 1, it’s a clean slate.”

Ex- Port Adelaide small forward Jake Neade after signing with North Adelaide. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Martin

GUN RECRUIT

Jake Neade has bounced back from being delisted by Port Adelaide to demonstrate his class and leadership in his first pre-season at Prospect. The small forward, who tallied 66 games and 55 goals in six years with the Power, will need all his experience to fill the void left by five Roosters premiership players lost to AFL clubs.

ONE TO WATCH

His name might be similar to a former Test cricket captain but midfielder Bill Laurie has made a positive impression ahead of his debut SANFL campaign. A cousin of club captain Max Thring, he helped Keith to last year’s Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League grand final, playing under ex-Roosters gun and fellow family member George Thring.

RISING STAR

North's Jared Deep under pressure from Glenelg's Marlon Motlop last season. Picture: Tom Huntley

Half-forward Jared Deep is one of an exciting crop of youngsters expected to make their mark at league level this season. Deep, 20, shone in North’s reserves flag triumph last year and is tipped to step up alongside talented Keanu Miller, 22, Frank Szekely, 19, and Mason Neagle, 18.

BIG OFF-SEASON

Brock Castree featured in every match of the Roosters’ march to an unlikely premiership. But he has refused to rest on his laurels, burning up the track in pre-season. Young gun Dakota Nixon will hope to shake off a niggling knee injury to feature in Round 1, after also catching the eye of North coaching staff with a big effort over summer.

2018 SEASON RECALL

Premier

Best & fairest: 1 Callum Wilkie, 2 Aidan Tropiano, 3 Mitch Clisby

Leading goalkicker: Lewis Hender 42