North Melbourne season 2025 preview: Matthew Forrest breaks down where the Roos sit
North Melbourne were one of the busiest clubs in the off-season, but one particular call will be heavily scrutinised this year. MATT FORREST names the Roos’ best side, his burning question and more.
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There’s so much on the line for the Kangaroos in 2025.
They don’t need to radically rise up the ladder, but another bottom-two year will have huge ramifications.
Will Luke Davies-Uniacke say enough is enough? Will it have been worth bringing in Matt Whitlock instead of pick 1 or 2?
Matthew Forrest analyses where the Kangaroos are at, where they’re headed and everything in between.
SURPRISE PACKET OF 2024
When the genetics of a player includes one of the club’s greatest ever, expectations are usually pretty high. But Jackson Archer’s 2024 campaign was one where he became a consistent senior footballer and enamoured Roos fans who remembered the good old days of the Shinboner of the Century, Glenn Archer. The 21-year-old played 15 games for the season, and while his stats were not outstanding (averaged 9.9 disposals, 2.5 tackles per game), he was the side’s most consistent small defender in a backline unit that constantly struggled throughout 2024. He was a great story of 2024 and North Melbourne fans would be excited with his development.
Son of a gun, Jackson Archer is the third Shinboner to earn a @Telstra AFL Rising Star nomination this season! â
— AFL (@AFL) August 5, 2024
Full details: https://t.co/FHGlswKXiHpic.twitter.com/7P1An1pFaX
INS AND OUTS
IN: Caleb Daniel (trade, Western Bulldogs), Jack Darling (trade, West Coast), Jacob Konstanty (trade, Sydney), Finn O’Sullivan (No.2 draft pick), Luke Parker (trade, Sydney), River Stevens (No.67 draft pick, father-son), Luke Urquhart (No.57 draft pick), Matt Whitlock (No.27 draft pick)
OUT: Blake Drury (delisted), Hamish Free (delisted), Hugh Greenwood (retired), Charlie Lazzaro (delisted), Bigoa Nyuon (delisted), Tyler Sellers (delisted), Liam Shiels (retired), Jaidyn Stephenson (retired), Curtis Taylor (delisted), Tarryn Thomas (sacked)
2025 BEST TEAM
WHO’S PLAYING FOR A CONTRACT?
He is arguably the AFL’s biggest free agency name this season, and all eyes will be on how Luke Davies-Uniacke perceives the rebuild at the Roos to be going. He has constantly stated he wants to remain at Arden Street, however he is in no rush to sign a long-term extension.
Xerri âž¡ï¸ LDU
— AFL (@AFL) August 3, 2024
It's a beautiful sight.#AFLNorthTigerspic.twitter.com/1GTN9bcj0p
The midfielder is expected to be waiting until mid-season to see how the club is going, and whether there is the promise of playing finals in the near future. If he is on the move, St Kilda is expected to be very interested, however he would be a wanted man at nearly every club in the league.
LAST YEAR IN CONTRACT
Aidan Corr, Brynn Teakle, Callum Coleman-Jones, Cooper Harvey, Darcy Tucker, Eddie Ford, Finnbar Maley, Geordie Payne, Jacob Konstanty, Josh Goater, Kallan Dawson, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Luke Parker, Miller Bergman, Robbie Hansen Jnr, Toby Pink, Will Phillips.
POSITION THAT NEEDS TO BE FILLED AND WHO CAN FILL IT?
Much has been spoken about the Kangas’ key defensive stocks and experience, and they brought in Jack Darling, Luke Parker and Caleb Daniel to answer some of those queries. But the club’s key defensive depth was a concern last year and that will continue into 2025. Corr and Comben look set to start the year as the key duo, but Wil Dawson will likely get his chance to solidify a senior spot as the year goes on. Kallan Dawson is also a low ceiling option.
BURNING QUESTION
Will North Melbourne regret trading its 2025 first rounder? The live trade at the end of the first round raised plenty of question marks, with North Melbourne sacrificing its future first rounder to bring in Matt Whitlock. Having no top pick in 2025 will make fans nervous, mortgaging the future on the assumption that the key utility they drafted will turn into a star. So North Melbourne fans will be hopeful the pick doesn’t turn into a top four selection. Melbourne won 11 games in 2024 and finished with the No.5 selection.
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