Season review: North Melbourne was the big surprise of 2018
NORTH Melbourne was the surprise packets of 2018 with the development of its youngsters helping to exceed expectations, and adding some quality midfielders could make the Roos great, Chris Cavanagh writes.
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IF you were a North Melbourne supporter, the 2018 season would have left a taste of satisfaction in your mouth.
Many tipped the Roos to finish last on the ladder.
Former Richmond coach Terry Wallace even said over the summer they had the worst list in the competition.
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But the “Shinboner Spirit” shone through, throughout the year, and the Roos exceeded all expectations to double their 2017 wins tally to 12 and finish ninth.
And a lot of that came on the back of the development of youngsters, which paints the picture of a bright future ahead.
TRADE TABLE
The Kangaroos have made no secret of their desire to add another quality midfielder to their mix.
They missed out on Dustin Martin and Josh Kelly last trade period but look very much in the frame to secure Port Adelaide’s Jared Polec this time around, potentially alongside West Coast’s Andrew Gaff.
Ruckman Braydon Preuss has attracted outside interest despite having a contract until 2020 after not being picked for an AFL game this year.
Key forward Nick Larkey is also under contract for 2019 but has similarly lacked opportunity, kicking 41 goals from 17 VFL games but failing to earn AFL selection this year.
DRAFT STRATEGY
The draft will largely depend on the trade period for the Kangaroos, with Port likely to ask North for its first-round pick in exchange for Jared Polec.
The Kangaroos are also keen on classy Tasmanian midfielder Tarryn Thomas, who is eligible to be drafted via the club’s next generation academy.
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
* Defting expectations to finishing ninth.
* Claiming big scalps, including wins against finalists West Coast (40 points), Greater Western Sydney (43 points), Sydney (2 points) and Hawthorn (28 points).
* Forward Ben Brown finishing second behind Richmond’s Jack Riewoldt in the Coleman Medal race with 61 goals, backing up from 63 goals in 2017.
ROBBO’S TAKE
Beat Hawthorn, Sydney, GWS and West Coast in winning 12 games, but still didn’t make the eight. External expectation was low — and wrong — and internal expectation will be to play finals in 2019. Maybe would’ve this year if fun forward Ben Brown didn’t hurt his hip in the run home. He’s already had an operation.
WHO WINS B&F
Hard to go past Shaun Higgins, who won last year and earned All-Australian selection for the first time this year.
NEXT YEAR’S GOAL
While key forward Jarrad Waite’s retirement is a big loss, the Roos think they can take another step and return to finals, especially if they secure a star during the trade period.
Six of their losses this season came by 17 points or less, so a September berth was not far off.
WHAT YEAR SHOULD YOU BOOK YOUR GRAND FINAL TICKETS?
Hold fire, but it would not be crazy to suggest the Roos can challenge within the next few years if their youth continues to develop.
Originally published as Season review: North Melbourne was the big surprise of 2018
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