North Melbourne hands AFL debuts to Colby McKercher and Zane Duursma

North Melbourne’s prized top draft picks will both play against GWS, with one set for a tricky assignment against a star-studded forward line.

North Melbourne does not have an obvious match-up for Toby Greene without co-captain Luke McDonald, who is set to miss the round 1 clash. Picture: Michael Willson / Getty Images

North Melbourne fans will not have to wait to see the Roos’ top draft picks in action, with Colby McKercher and Zane Duursma both confirmed starters against GWS on Saturday.

The second and fourth picks in last year’s draft have been backed to make an immediate impact at the senior level, with McKercher set for a baptism of fire against the star-studded attack of the new premiership favourites.

The left-footer is expected to slot into an inexperienced backline likely to be without co-captain Luke McDonald, who coach Alastair Clarkson suggested could be held back for another week to ensure he has recovered from a hamstring tendon injury.

McDonald or Aidan Corr, who is also in doubt with an ankle injury, would have been the preferred candidates to take Greene, with the responsibility possibly falling to 11-gamer Josh Goater unless one of McKercher, Harry Sheezel or Blues recruit Zac Fisher is given a surprise lockdown role.

Pick No.2 and pick No.4.

Lifetimes in the making.

👥#Kangas

— North Melbourne FC (@NMFCOfficial) March 12, 2024

It comes after GWS piled on 114 points in a convincing win over Collingwood despite Greene only contributing one goal.

Clarkson said trying to stymie the Giants’ forward line would be a difficult task but would provide a good indication of how far the Kangaroos had progressed in his second off-season at the helm.

“Toby kicked one I think … for Toby Greene to have lower impact on that game than what he usually would have yet they still beat the reigning premier by five goals,” Clarkson said.

“Maynard did a pretty good job keeping Toby out of the game for the bulk of the game, but then three or four others pop up … that’s utopia for a coach, when you’ve got that.

“We need to find out a way to try and negate that, probably the best way is just to ensure they don’t have the supply … at the very least, we’ll get a really, really good feel for where we’re at as a club.”

North Melbourne does not have an obvious match-up for Toby Greene without co-captain Luke McDonald, who is set to miss the round 1 clash. Picture: Michael Willson / Getty Images

Star full-forward Nick Larkey is set to lead the Roos for the first time in the absence of McDonald and Simpkin, who Clarkson was hopeful could play round 2 if he was cleared by doctors.

“It automatically triggered a set of protocols based on three concussions within 12 months – (Simpkin) goes into a set of protocols now that are different to just the normal ones, so that’s really up to the AFL and the medicos to determine, but we’re hopeful in terms of the way he’s feeling and all that sort of stuff, we’re hopeful he’ll be available for the next round,” Clarkson said.

“He’s feeling really positive, he’s recovered as well as we could possibly hope for, and he’s really just bound by the protocols now in terms of when you can return to play.”

Clarkson said McDonald’s history of severe hamstring injuries was why the Roos wouldn’t rush him back despite pressure on their defence.

“He’s coming off a pretty severe hamstring tendon injury which he’s had before,” he said.

“It’s the second time he’s had to recover from this type of injury, both surgical repairs … for the most part (two practice games) is OK – for the majority of players, for someone who’s been through what he’s been, we’re not certain but we’ll probably err on the side of giving him another week or two to get himself fully right.”

Originally published as North Melbourne hands AFL debuts to Colby McKercher and Zane Duursma