Every North Melbourne player rated: Where is the list at ahead of huge rebuild?
It was nothing short of a horror year for North Melbourne. With the club now entering a full scale rebuild, we rate all 44 players on the 2020 list, look at their contracts and ask the tough questions.
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North Melbourne is officially in a rebuild.
And despite the club delisting 11 players on Friday, the cuts are only just beginning.
What does the future hold for Ben Brown and Shaun Higgins? Are any other veterans gettable in a trade?
Plus, where are the kids at? Is there enough young talent on the list to give fans hope?
Glenn McFarlane looks at where every single player on the 2020 list is at and what their future holds.
RATING THE KANGAROOS
1. Majak Daw. Age: 29. Games: 54. Status: Delisted.
Footy can be cruel sometimes. Daw gave us one of 2020’s most inspiring moments in Round 9 when he kicked a goal in his AFL comeback after 706 days. Now he has been delisted after playing only four games this year – all in a non-preferred role forward. Would a rival club take a punt on the 29-year-old as a rookie and put him back in defence?
2. Marley Williams. Age: 27. Games: 128 games. Status: Delisted.
No surprise to see the defender among 11 players delisted on Friday, given he fell out of selection favour several times this year. Managed only eight games in 2020 – his lowest return since his debut year at Collingwood in 2012.
3. Jed Anderson. Age: 26. Games 78 games. Status: Out of contract.
A huge positive in a forgettable season. Took his game to a new level and showed a desperation that seemed in short supply at the club. A wrecking ball who tackles as if his life depended on it. Deserves a good new deal going forward.
4. Shaun Higgins. Age: 32. Games: 237. Status: Contracted until the end of 2021.
Knocked back an offer to join the Cats last off-season and is likely to attract attention again at trade time. Maintained his strong form this year, but the decision to play him at times on the wing rather than the midfield – where he won two best and fairests – was puzzling. Has plenty of good footy left in him.
5. Ben Jacobs. Age: 28. Games: 90. Status: Delisted.
One of the AFL’s best stoppers in his prime, ongoing health and concussion issues meant Jacobs hasn’t played since Round 16, 2018. He remained in the Queensland hub, but never returned to serious training. Was delisted on Friday. His health is more important than footy right now.
6. Taylor Garner. Age: 26. Games: 45. Status: Out of contract.
Had a strong pre-season, realising his position at the club might come down to the final season of his contract. But a hamstring stopped him from making a meaningful impact in 2020. Returned for the final two games, but has only played 11 games in the past two seasons. Line ball for next year.
7. Jack Ziebell. Age: 29. Games: 218. Status: Contracted until the end of 2021.
There is no doubting his commitment or desire, but the skipper needs some luck with his body. Injured in Round 1 then sidelined with a hamstring injury, Ziebell could manage only eight games this year. Needs continuity to impact games like other inspirational captains as his confidence has taken a hit. Does he play forward next year? Or can he push back into the midfield?
8. Bailey Scott. Age: 20. Games; 17. Status: Contracted until the end of 2022.
The Kangaroos showed how much this rising star means to them by recently locking him away for three more seasons. He took significant steps this year, particularly with his composure under pressure, and looks to play a big part of the club’s future.
9. Luke Davies-Uniacke. Age: 21. Games: 30. Status: Contracted until the end of 2021.
Suffered a groin issue earlier this year which might come from a desire to build his running capacity. But LDU’s return in the second half of the season indicated he is more at ease with the speed of the game now. Has a significant upside.
10. Ben Cunnington. Age: 29. Games: 212. Status: Contracted until the end of 2022.
Cunnington was challenged by his body for the first time this year and it impacted severely on the team. Managed only three games in 2020. Must get on top of his back issues as the Kangaroos have an alarming record without the man seen as their barometer.
11. Luke McDonald. Age: 25. Games: 126. Status: Contracted until the end of 2021.
Has taken his game – and beard – to new levels. Will likely vie with Todd Goldstein and Jy Simpkin for the Syd Barker Medal. His ranking points this year increased a staggering 53%. Was used as a tagger on Toby Greene, Marcus Bontempelli and Dylan Shiel, but also as a rebound defender. Cleaned up his disposal skills too.
12. Jy Simpkin. Age: 22. Games: 73. Status: Contracted until the end of 2022.
Has fast become the elite midfielder the Kangaroos believed he would be. He was critical in the few wins earlier in the season but also fought hard against the wave in the club’s bleak back end. Averaged more than 20 disposals, and still looks as if he has an extra level to go.
13. Jared Polec. Age: 27. Games: 141. Status: Contracted until the end of 2023.
Is destined to find a fourth club if a deal can be arranged with a suitor where North Melbourne would have to pay a large portion of his salary. Still has three years to run on a lucrative five-year deal that has blown up in the Kangaroos’ face. The coach lost patience with his lack of defensive pressure, dropping him on a few occasions. Won his way back late in the season, but must find a new home if he wants to play regular senior footy.
14. Trent Dumont. Age: 25. Games: 99. Status: Contracted until the end of 2021.
Continues to fly under the radar without getting the kudos he deserves. Has been one of his club’s most consistent performers this year, winning more time in the middle in the absence of Cunnington. Increased his Champion Data ranking points by 22%.
15. Paul Ahern. Age: 24. Games: 24. Status: Delisted.
He was always in trouble when he played only six games for the season with minimal impact. Just didn’t win enough of the ball when his chances came.
16. Aiden Bonar. Age: 21. Games: 12. Status: Contracted until the end of 2021.
Still needs to show he can cut it at the elite level after a modest first season at North Melbourne. A shoulder injury in Round 11 didn’t help his cause. Has talent, but his total of five matches wasn’t the return he wanted. Big season coming up next year.
17. Jasper Pittard. Age: 29. Games: 159 games. Status: Delisted.
From the leadership group to delisted … it’s been one hell of a year for Pittard. He looked to have turned his career around after a strong first season at the Kangaroos last year that saw him added to the leadership group. But he found himself out of favour with the selectors. His brain fade against Carlton – and Marc Murphy – wouldn’t have helped his cause.
18. Shaun Atley. Age: 28. Games: 214. Status: Contracted until the end of 2021.
As a 200-game player, Atley must make a bigger impact. The Kangaroos need him to be an Adam Saad or Zac Williams line-breaking half back, but he doesn’t win enough of the ball to hurt the opposition. When he gets it, he doesn’t use it well enough. Must lift his intensity.
19. Josh Walker. Age: 27. Games: 102. Status: Contracted until the end of 2021.
Triggered a one-year extension after a standout season in defence, with a few cameos down forward. A competitor who has developed a good rapport with Robbie Tarrant and Ben McKay. Led the way with contested marks and looks as if he finally believes he deserves to be playing at the level. Great value for money.
20. Nick Larkey. Age: 22. Games: 29. Status: Contracted until the end of 2021.
Struggled to make a serious impact this season but in fairness he has had excuses. Playing in the Kangaroos’ forward line without a key anchor such as Ben Brown proved challenging. He was smashed at times by the best defenders and had some issues with his body. Can learn from his experiences and emerge stronger.
21. Dom Tyson. Age: 27. Games: 110 games. Status: Contracted until end of 2021.
Three games in two seasons … it has been a recruiting bust for the Kangaroos so far. Survives the cull because he has a year remaining on his well-paid deal. Would need a significant turnaround in fortunes to force his way back into the side. Had some calf troubles this season.
22. Todd Goldstein. Age: 32. Games: 250. Status: Contracted until the end of 2022.
This might have been Goldstein’s finest year, even allowing for a shortened COVID-19 season. Remained loyal at the end of last season and thank goodness he did! Is in the running for the best and fairest and All-Australian honours. He’s a star.
23. Ben McKay. Age: 22. Games: 15. Status: Contracted until the end of 2021.
It’s taken some time, but we are starting to see why the Kangaroos maintained faith in the key position defender after an injury-prone start to his career. His one-on-one contested work is underrated and he is growing in confidence. Embraces the challenge of playing on the game’s best forwards.
24. Sam Durdin. Age: 24. Games: 22. Status: Delisted.
Is on the move after managing only three games for the season, including a five-disposal performance in the final round. His career was impacted by numerous injuries.
25. Robbie Tarrant. Age: 31. Games: 164. Status: Contracted until the end of 2021.
The North Melbourne backline was under siege all season and he did as much as he could to stem some of the pain. Wasn’t quite as impactful as he has been in other seasons, but the circumstances were different. Provided a strong leadership role and seemed to enjoy working with – and tutoring – Ben McKay in his AFL infancy.
26. Tarryn Thomas. Age: 20. Games: 26. Status: Contracted until the end of 2022.
Was a massive loss for the Kangaroos when his season ended with a syndesmosis injury in Round 6. The Roos sorely missed his class and X-factor. The club did the right thing by playing the long game with this young star and hopefully it will pay dividends next year.
27. Will Walker. Age: 21. Games: 6. Status: Out of contract.
Has had little luck with injury, restricting him to two games this year, and six overall. A PCL tear and knee-related issues date back to the end of 2018 and he suffered a hamstring strain against the Lions this year which effectively ended his 2020 campaign.
28. Kayne Turner. Age: 24. Games: 79. Status: Out of contract.
A wipeout season for Turner, who suffered a sesamoid fracture in the ball of his foot in the pre-season series. The club opted against surgery in the hope he could return late in the season, but that never eventuated. Survived the first cut but would still be nervous.
30. Charlie Comben. Age: 19. Games: Nil. Status: Contracted until the end of 2021.
Had a small fracture in his back which meant he was taken along slowly in his rehabilitation. Showed promise in the pre-season. The club holds high hopes for him, particularly because his aggressive style of footy is something that Rhyce Shaw craves.
31. Curtis Taylor. Age: 20. Games: 11. Status: Out of contract.
Won a Rising Star nomination in Round 5 off the back of the hard work he did in the pre-season in improving his defensive aspects. Looked a handy contributor in the first half of the season with his two goal performance against the Bulldogs his best game.
32. Mason Wood. Age: 27. Games: 65. Status: Delisted.
Promised so much a few years ago, but never reached his potential. Ran out of chances after just three goals from his eight games this season. No surprise to see him delisted on Friday.
33. Ed Vickers-Willis. Age: 24. Games: 21. Status: Out of contract.
Another Kangaroo who has been cruelled by injuries in recent years, limiting the chances to showcase his wares. Managed six games late in the season and finished the final round with 18 disposals.
34. Jamie Macmillan. Age: 28. Games: 167. Status: Delisted.
Veteran who left the hub with the club’s blessing in August to return to Melbourne for the birth of his first child. Played 10 games this season, but couldn’t do enough to win a new deal. Was delisted on Friday, but said the club had given him “an unbelievable ride” over 11 years.
35. Jack Mahoney. Age: 18. Games: 10. Status: Contracted until the end of 2021.
Promising signs from the teenager in his debut season. Was crunched in a tackle from Levi Greenwood in the clash with the Pies, but was plucky enough to head back into the next contest. A small forward who looks to have a good future.
36. Joel Crocker. Age: 20. Games: nil. Status: Delisted.
In a year where North Melbourne was smashed by injuries, stretching their playing resources, Crocker couldn’t break into the team. Was also delisted on Friday.
37. Kyron Hayden. Age: 21. Games: 9. Status: Out of contract.
Looks to have done enough to be retained. Was a part of a sickening collision with Richmond’s Tom Lynch and teammate Ben McKay in Round 7. Showed some positive signs before a knee injury ended his season.
38. Tristan Xerri. Age: 21. Games: 4. Status: Contracted until the end of 2022.
Has been rewarded with a new deal following promising signs in his four games. The Roos believe he will continue to improve when he tastes more senior footy.
39. Flynn Perez. Age: 19. Games: 3. Status: Contracted until the end of 2021.
Shaw calls him “a competitive beast” and those are attributes in short supply at the moment. Still finding his feet, but looks OK. Had 15 disposals in the final round.
40. Tom Murphy. Age: 22. Games: 9. Status: Delisted.
Struggled to string games together and could only manage 10 disposals in his last game against the Eagles. Another player who was delisted on Friday.
41. Matt McGuinness. Age: 20. Games: Nil. Status: Out of contract.
The category B-list rookie is seen as a project player. The Roos will have to decide if the tall, athletic Tasmanian is worth persisting with in the long-term.
42. Tom Campbell. Age: 28. Games: 45. Status: Contracted until the end of 2021
A back-up ruckman considered insurance for Todd Goldstein. The Kangaroos used Campbell as a forward at times but without much success. Still has a year to run on his contract, but 2021 looms as make-or-break.
43. Aaron Hall. Age: 29. Games: 124. Status: Contracted until the end of 2021.
Still has a year to run on his deal. Must boost his competitive edge and his overall impact if he wants to be a part of this team going forward.
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44. Cameron Zurhaar. Age: 22. Games: 44. Status: Contracted until the end of 2022.
A solid but unspectacular season. He won the club goal kicking award with 17 goals – the lowest leading tally in North Melbourne’s VFL-AFL history. Just lacked the same bash-and-crash, killer instinct that defined him in 2019. In fairness, it was tough playing in the Kangaroos’ attack in 2020.
46. Lachlan Hosie. Age: 23. Games: 5. Status: Delisted.
Got his call-up to make his AFL debut in Round 10 against Geelong. Booted three goals in his five games, but the club has opted against keeping him.
50. Ben Brown. Age: 27. Games: 130 games. Status: Out of contract
He and the club will explore their options in the trade period. Having kicked more than 60 goals in his previous three seasons, he could manage only nine from eight games this year. Shaw lost faith in him at times when he was dropped, and a knee surgery brought an end to his season. Watch this space.
Originally published as Every North Melbourne player rated: Where is the list at ahead of huge rebuild?