Eight reasons to be excited about North Melbourne in 2020

Will Rhyce Shaw’s rejuvenation continue into his full-time coaching term? From the exciting young guns at Arden St to a highly-rated midfield, here’s eight reasons North fans should be dreaming big for 2020.

Was it a false dawn or the start of something special?

North Melbourne experienced a mid-season surge after Rhyce Shaw took over from Brad Scott as coach, generating optimism about the club’s prospects for 2020.

The Roos held Todd Goldstein and Shaun Higgins after interest from rival clubs and brought in first-round draftee Aiden Bonar from GWS.

Just how far can Shaw take North this year? Here’s eight reasons Roos fans should dare to dream.

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1. FRESH APPROACH

If you do the ladder for the last 13 rounds of 2019, North Melbourne comes out sixth. Much of that was thanks to the rejuvenation under new coach Rhyce Shaw, who was in charge for 12 of those games after he took the reigns from Brad Scott after Round 10. Shaw has since earned a three-year deal as permanent senior coach, having built strong relationships not only with the playing group but throughout the entire club. Shaw unveiled his set of unconditional rules and team standards and showed off a game plan that was built on brutal attack on the footy and the man. The Kangaroos appear in good hands to take a leap forward in 2020.

North Melbourne was all smiles for much of the second half of 2019 under Rhyce Shaw. Picture: Michael Klein.

2. SIXTH-BEST LIST

They haven’t finished in the top six on the ladder since 2014, but the Kangaroos have been rated as having the sixth-best list by Champion Data entering 2020. North Melbourne sits above Geelong, Port Adelaide, Essendon and even the Brisbane Lions in the rankings, which are based purely on individual player talent. That bodes well for both the immediate and long-term future. While not as widely celebrated as some stars at other clubs, North has genuine A-Grade talent in Shaun Higgins, Ben Cunnington, Todd Goldstein and Robbie Tarrant. It also has a host of developing young players on the improve.

3. THIRD-BEST MIDFIELD

Think Collingwood has a star-studded midfield? North Melbourne’s engine room is better, according to Champion Data. The Kangaroos’ midfield rates at No. 3 for pure individual talent, behind only the Lions and Western Bulldogs. Higgins, Cunnington, Trent Dumont and Jared Polec lead the charge and all averaged more than 23 disposals per game last season. Higgins rated elite for score involvements and score assists, Cunnington ranked fifth in the league for contested possessions, Dumont rated elite for pressure and tackles and Polec was elite for average goals.

Midfield bull Ben Cunnington is one of the key cogs in a highly-rated Roos midfield.

4. MAJAK DAW

What a story it will be if key defender Majak Daw returns to the field in 2020. The 28-year-old suffered serious hip and pelvic injuries after a fall from the Bolte Bridge last December and missed the entire 2019 AFL season. But Daw has returned to fitness after a setback with a hamstring injury late in the season and has been training strongly as he vies to make a Round 1 return. Daw is one of just three North Melbourne players who are rated elite by Champion Data, alongside Goldstein and Cunnington. In 2018 he averaged 12 disposals, 2.9 intercept marks and 5.4 spoils per match. If Daw can return to full health and form, the Kangaroos’ backline will be significantly stronger.

5. AIDEN BONAR

Greater Western Sydney selected Aiden Bonar with pick No. 11 in the 2017 national draft. Two years later, the Kangaroos secured the midfielder for an exchange of future third and fourth-round picks. Bonar managed just six AFL games for the Giants and struggled to break into a strong onball brigade. North Melbourne has high hopes for him and views the 20-year-old as a dynamic and athletic player who can offer great flexibility with his ability to play through the midfield and also forward.

Big-bodied midfielder Aiden Bonar has crossed to Arden St from GWS.

6. LIST PROFILE

North Melbourne’s list is in the prime hitting zone to be a finals contender in 2020. Its age and experience profiles are each worth a tick. North will start next season with an average list age of 24.1 years, raking the seventh-oldest in the competition. In terms of experience, the list has an average of 65.1 games per player, ranked ninth. The Kangaroos have rejuvenated their list since Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Michael Firrito and Nick Dal Santo were all tipped out at the end of 2016.

7. RISING STARS

While Carlton’s Sam Walsh took out the top honour, North Melbourne had the most Rising Star nominations of any side last season with four. Bailey Scott, Cameron Zurhaar, Tarryn Thomas and Nick Larkey all received nominations in a strong indication the future looks bright. Scott played only four games but looked impressive through the midfield. Zurhaar emerged as a high-pressure and goalkicking forward and played 19 matches. Thomas kicked 16 goals from 20 games in his debut campaign and Larkey booted 26 goals from 17 in just his third season.

8. LEADERSHIP CHANGES

It’s not just the senior coach who has changed at North Melbourne. The club’s whole leadership hierarchy has undergone a dramatic overhaul as it fervently chases its first premiership in two decades. Ben Amarfio has been installed as the new chief executive, former Roo Brady Rawlings has taken over as the new general manager of football and former Champion Data guru Glenn Luff has been elevated to list manager. North Melbourne chairman Ben Buckley has said “we exist to play in premierships” and hopes the changes will help drive that.

CHAMPION DATA SAYS

North Melbourne’s list is rated as the sixth best in the competition, which will surprise many. It’s boosted by the quality it boasts in its midfield group, with the second-best ruck and midfield combination in the AFL — Goldstein and Cunnington are rated elite while Jed Anderson and Higgins are above average.

HOW YOUR CLUB IS TRACKING

2015: 4th — 13W, 9L, PF

2016: 8th — 12W, 10L, EF

2017: 15th — 6W, 16L

2018: 9th — 12W, 10L

2019: 10th — 10W, 12L

TAB ODDS

Premiership: $34

Top 8: $3

Top 4: $8

Originally published as Eight reasons to be excited about North Melbourne in 2020