North Melbourne captain Andrew Swallow says Kangaroos can bounce back quickly
NORTH Melbourne captain Andrew Swallow is confident the Kangaroos won’t slide dramatically down the ladder next year.
Nrth Melb
Don't miss out on the headlines from Nrth Melb. Followed categories will be added to My News.
NORTH Melbourne captain Andrew Swallow is confident the Kangaroos won’t slide dramatically down the ladder next year, saying the core senior group and a band of youngsters can withstand the loss of four club greats.
While admitting it was a “sad day” to see the last club games for Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Michael Firrito and Nick Dal Santo, Swallow believes the “energy and enthusiasm” of the club’s young players might mean this is more of a “reset” rather than a complete list rebuild.
BIG MOVE: KANGAROOS SWEAT ON WELLS DECISION
CHANGING TIMES: SCOTT REFLECTS ON DEPARTING ROOS’ LEGACY
“It’s a sad day, but we look to a new era now and (we will) get a bit of youth in the team,” Swallow said. “I am sure in the next couple of weeks we will start to get excited about what the future holds.
“Once we get past the initial sadness of losing those guys, there will be a bit of excitement with another group of young kids. They always bring a new level of energy and enthusiasm.”
Swallow says the Kangaroos still possess enough experienced players to lead the next step in the club’s evolution and keep them competitive while at the same time regenerating the group.
“The core of our team is pretty strong,” he explained. “’Goldy’ (Todd Goldstein) is 27 or 28, Jack (Ziebell) and Ben Cunnington are 25. Big Ben Brown is a young fellow.
“We have got a lot of key positions (already) taken, it is just adding a couple of other players, and I think we can do that. That’s one of the positives about having so many injuries this year, we got to blood a few guys who wouldn’t have played — Ryan Clarke ... Corey Wagner was emergency (on Saturday night). They have got some bright futures.”
Swallow said the emotion in farewelling the four Kangaroos veterans was something he had not experienced before, saying they had all made massive contributions to the club.
MATCH REPORT: FIERY ROOS NO MATCH FOR EDDIE, CROWS
BAD LOSS: CRUEL WAY FOR KANGA STARS TO BOW OUT
“I just feel like we let the boys down,” he said. “It was always going to be tough coming across (to Adelaide), but the realisation that for most of these guys, it is probably going to be their last game they ever run out for.”
He said he hadn’t thought about Harvey potentially playing at another club next season, but said regardless of whether that happens, “he is always going to be a Kangaroo at heart.”
Originally published as North Melbourne captain Andrew Swallow says Kangaroos can bounce back quickly
Best 23s: How trade period changed every club
Trade period is behind us and the clear winners and losers have emerged. How will every club’s best 23 look for 2025 after the exchange period? FIND OUT HERE
Clubs in tight tusstle for Bombers’ pick 9
North Melbourne has made a play for Essendon’s pick 9 in an attempt to bring Dan Houston to the club, but JON RALPH reports another club is set to swoop as the Bombers brace for an early bid on Isaac Kako.