Northern Knights finalises its list ahead of the 2022 NAB League Boys season

The Northern Knights will have several famous faces running around in 2022 with a host of father-son and brothers of AFL guns in its squad.

Sons and brothers of guns dominate the Northern Knights NAB League Boys list for 2022.

Several famous faces are in the mix this season, which kicks off on Saturday with the Knights facing Sydney at Highgate Reserve.

North Melbourne legend Brent Harvey’s son Cooper will look to press his hopes of being selected as a father-on this season, while Darcy Hogg – son of Carlton premiership star Matthew – and Charlie Naish – son of Chris and brother to Patrick – is also on the list.

Meanwhile, Ben Quaynor – brother of Collingwood young gun Isaac – and Nate Caddy – nephew of Richmond’s Josh – are also looking to press their claims.

Harvey made his senior football debut for North Heidelberg last season, playing alongside his illustrious father and uncle Shane.

While Kangaroos fans are hoping to see a Harvey in the blue and white soon, it’s another Harvey – no relation – that looks the top-end talent.

Returning Knight Joel Fitzgerald. Picture: Steve Tanner

Returning Knight Sam Grant. Picture: Steve Tanner

Fitzroy junior Dane Harvey, as well as Darcy Edmends, are the two Knights products in the first-take Vic Metro hub.

Harvey has drawn comparisons to former Knight, Essendon’s Nik Cox, as a 195cm wingman with excellent skills, while Edmends is also a smooth-moving wingman with a good overhead mark at 180cm.

Knight coach Leigh Clarke said it was hard to predict draft talent after two seasons ruined by COVID.

“If the draft was held today, (Harvey and Edmends) would be, but given the broken nature of the last 18 months, two years,” he said.

“We’re confident in adding to that (Vic Metro hub) list once the boys get a chance to show what they can do.

“We’re really encouraged by how the boys have prepared themselves and the amount of work they do away from our program.

“That’s one of the positives we can take away from the COVID lockdowns, they’ve learnt to be really self sufficient.”

Clarke is also bullish about the talents of Will Green, who played Dowling Shield for Northcote this season, and Matt Ryan who was identified playing local footy at Whittlesea.

The Knights have several 19-year-olds returning after being overlooked in the draft.

Owen Mulady will captain the club this season after playing nine games in 2021 and averaging 16 disposals, three marks and three tackles.

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AFL Draft Combine invitees Joel Fitzgerald and Anthony Caminiti return as does Patrick Dozzi and Sam Grant, while 2020 draft contender Liam Kolar had his 2021 season wiped out by injury and will get an opportunity as a 20-year-old.

Clarke was looking forward to seeing how his players fared against a club-run academy such as Sydney.

“It will be a huge challenge for us, that’s a state run program and they’re really well prepared,” he said.

“We’re looking forward to getting a real indication of how our boys look compared to the rest of the country first up.”

NORTHERN KNIGHTS NAB LEAGUE SQUAD 2022

Zane Anderson (Whittlesea)

Noah Barnes (North Heidelberg)

Felix Bell (Research)

Aidan Biddle (Eltham)

Brock Binion (Montmorency)

Nate Caddy (Yarrambat)

Anthony Caminiti (Heidelberg)

Aviela Choka (Eltham)

Jack Chubb (Montmorency)

Charlie Connell-Tobin (Ivanhoe)

Aleksandr D’Arro (Yarrambat)

Patrick Dozzi (Montmorency)

Darcy Edmends (Heidelberg)

Joel Fitzgerald (Whittlesea)

Archie Franklin (Ivanhoe)

Jude Georgievski (Epping)

Samuel Grant (Old Carey)

William Green (Northcote)

Benjamin Ham (Eltham)

Josh Hamilton (Eltham)

Cooper Harvey (North Heidelberg)

Dane Harvey (Fitzroy)

Darcy Hogg (Heidelberg)

Deacon Kalpakis (South Morang)

Liam Kolar (Bundoora)

Christian Mardini (South Morang)

Jason McCormick (Eltham)

Jack McInerney (Heidelberg)

Rohan McKenzie (Ivanhoe)

Owen Mulady (Park Orchards)

James Nadalin (Heidelberg)

Charlie Naish (Ivanhoe)

Jacob Naismith (Bundoora)

Fletcher Parkinson (Montmorency)

Benjamin Quaynor (East Doncaster)

Laird Ramshaw (Fitzroy)

Nathan Raphael (Research)

Flynn Riley (Montmorency)

Jack Rossimel (Park Orchards)

Matthew Ryan (Whittlesea)

Jarred Seiter (Montmorency)

Issac Taylor (Fitzroy)

Jonathan Tomasiello (Heidelberg)

William Tsitsis (Macleod)