AFL 2022: North Melbourne list analysis, top free agency targets analysed
North Melbourne’s list is under the microscope after another disappointing season. Who do the Kangaroos need to sign at the end of the year?
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North Melbourne made savage cuts to the list two years ago, and is now feeling the pain as rivals blow the Kangas away on a weekly basis.
According to Champion Data, the Roos have no elite players and only three above average players – Todd Goldstein, Cameron Zurhaar and Aaron Hall – based on their individual position and output this season.
Forecasting forward, the biggest worry is whether the face of the rebuild, No.1 pick Jason Horne-Francis will stay beyond 2023, but the problems don’t stop there.
The big call to take Will Phillips over Logan McDonald was a head-scratcher at the time, Hugh Greenwood’s move hasn’t worked, Goldstein and Luke McDonald remain two of the club’s best players, and the development of some of the team’s youngsters has been questioned, aside from Luke Davies-Uniacke and Tristan Xerri.
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Tarryn Thomas was dropped to the twos, Callum Coleman-Jones hasn’t had an impact yet, Jaidyn Stephenson has gone backwards, and departed pair Trent Dumont (Port Adelaide) and Mason Wood (St Kilda) are playing decent footy elsewhere.
Sam Durdin, after getting the chop from the Roos, has also got another golden chance at Carlton, and they traded the pick which Melbourne used to land Kysaiah Pickett.
Yes, Ben Cunnington’s absence has hurt, but how on earth did the Roos lose heart-and-soul defender Robbie Tarrant to Richmond?
Clearly, there have been a few slip-ups in this rebuild, and the scoreboard hasn’t lied in 2022.
North has played the fourth least experienced and third-youngest team on average this year, but looks headed for another wooden spoon.
Where are the green shoots? They have been hard to find over the first half of the season, which makes the next three months critical. The club supports coach David Noble, for now.
Who’s out of contract?
CAMERON ZURHAAR
Zurhaar is in no rush to pen a new deal and will clearly have suitors at season’s end if there isn’t an attractive offer from North on the table.
In a starved forward line, the 24-year-old has still had a decent year, bagging 15 majors from 10 games. His team-lifting physicality and toughness is his signature.
Holding the whip hand in negotiations.
JED ANDERSON
There was a significant delay on his last deal in 2020 when he recommitted for another two seasons in November.
He started this season behind the eight ball after taking time to meet the club’s vaccination requirements, but his form has improved as his fitness has increased this season.
Provides important protection and hardness around the ball.
AARON HALL
Back in the team against Greater Western Sydney last Sunday, when he had 19 possessions in another loss.
Turns 32 at the end of the season, which makes him vulnerable even though he has shown he can still win plenty of the footy, averaging 27 touches across his first four games.
North will hope a younger midfielder will be good enough to take his regular position for 2023.
The free agents
TODD GOLDSTEIN
Why didn’t he make the move to Geelong when the Cats made a strong pitch three years ago?
He’s loyal as they come, Goldstein, but it would be a huge call to knock the Cats back this time if they put another offer to him in the exchange period.
Has performed solidly as ever this season and the stripes might become hoops for 2023.
BEN CUNNINGTON
Can’t wait to see the jet onballer get back out on the park in his comeback from testicular cancer.
He’s a hugely popular teammate at Arden St and if he is keen to go around again next year, as expected, North will undoubtedly sign him up.
There will be a big roar upon his return.
KAYNE TURNER
Playing a bit-part role for the Kangaroos as a tagger and defensive forward. Been counted on for his team-first attitude. Has done well to play 100 games after he was drafted straight out of high school in the Brad Scott era.
Who should the Kangaroos target?
North Melbourne needs more good players in every area, but wants to keep its top draft picks to inject more elite young talent.
It makes free agents such as Daniel McStay (Brisbane), Karl Amon (Port Adelaide) and Angus Brayshaw (Melbourne) attractive propositions to help support all the youngsters, without giving away an early pick. But the problem is these types would much rather head to a premiership contender.
The Kangaroos are keeping their eyes open to mature-age talents across the country this year despite massive list cuts two years ago. Perhaps they cut too hard.
Other non-free agent targets may include Paddy Dow (Carlton), Joel Smith (Melbourne), Aaron Francis (Essendon) and Quinton Narkle (Geelong), but they would be more role-playing acquisitions.
Who’s in danger of leaving?
JASON HORNE-FRANCIS
It is one of the biggest list management stories in the game that top pick Horne-Francis appears vulnerable to a poaching raid from Adelaide and Port Adelaide.
The South Australian has shown exciting glimpses but there is concern over his body language, his attitude towards senior teammates and the fact he failed to tell the club he was going back home to Adelaide for Mother’s Day.
Perhaps it’s just immaturity, but the Roos would prefer it to be less visible on the field.
No doubt he will be a star player, but this season hasn’t gone to plan. Is he happy?
The Crows and Power will be licking their lips as they whistle down the street with a wheelbarrow full of cash in an attempt to prise him out.
TODD GOLDSTEIN
As mentioned above, Goldstein will finish high up in the Roos’ best-and-fairest and likely weigh up interest from Geelong.
The Roos re-signed Tristan Xerri, who would take over as the No.1 ruckman, with Callum Coleman-Jones in support. Goldstein, 33, has proven to be incredibly durable over his excellent 286-game career.
The Roos need young ruckman Jacob Edwards to kick-on.
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