Ultimate player ratings: Glenn McFarlane and Jon Ralph rate every North Melbourne player

There are still a lot of question marks hanging over the North Melbourne list. But there’s absolutely no doubt about one thing – the talent. We look at the emerging A-graders at the Roos.

Ultimate Player ratings: North Melbourne

Can Cam Zurhaar take his game to the next level (and prove his loyalty following his spat with former teammate Jason Horne-Francis) or is he Ben McKay 2.0?

And will Tarryn Thomas be wearing the same colours next season or has he already got one foot out of the Arden St door?

These discussion points might have escaped the radar for many as we cast our eyes over the Kangaroos’ cache of young talent and the potential A-graders who are doing their best to lift this club out of the doldrums.

But both points will be very much in the minds of North Melbourne powerbrokers as they head into season 2024 hoping this is going to be the year that swings the pendulum.

Criteria: Prediction of their 2024 performance based on their 2023 season, expected improvement and role in their side.

Zurhaar is a good player. But he could be much more than that!

He turns 26 this season and is entering the final year of his current deal, a contract that he signed in late 2022 after attracting plenty of interest from Essendon and co.

His good mate Nick Larkey signed a long-term deal to stay. Now the Kangaroos will be hoping that Zurhaar does the same, especially given his social media joust with Horne-Francis when he quit the Roos after only one season to return to Adelaide.

There is no reason to think that Zurhaar is on the move, but there would be multiple suitors - as there for Ben McKay last year before he agreed to join Essendon - if he shows any inclination to leave.

Surely, the Roos will hope the forward/burst midfielder will stay loyal to the club and make himself open to a new long-term deal early in the season.

Can Cameron Zurhaar get the best out of himself at North Melbourne? Picture: Michael Klein

He is not the wrecking ball he often threatens to be, but he is still at the pointy end of the Kangaroos’ 2024 rating. He has the capacity to make an even bigger impact and go from a good player to a star.

Thomas’ future at the club is every bit as intriguing. He had to front an AFL integrity meeting this year over fresh allegations of “inappropriate behaviour” which has seen him training away from the main group.

He too is in the final year of a contract, with rival clubs also likely to look at him in the coming months.

Some of his teammates think he has the capacity to be the Kangaroos’ best player, if he can knuckle down - and recommit.

The Roos have a lot to look forward to.

But Alastair Clarkson’s task of getting this club back to the finals will be easier if he can get Zurhaar and Thomas to sign on the dotted line - and get the absolute best out of themselves.

Originally published as Ultimate player ratings: Glenn McFarlane and Jon Ralph rate every North Melbourne player