George Wardlaw happy to fly the flag for ‘Northball’ after Round 2 Rising Star nomination

George Wardlaw is happy to keep flying the ‘Northball’ flag as the Roos keep building. And he says he won’t be North Melbourne’s only Rising Star this year.

George Wardlaw has been recognised at the Round 3 Rising Star. Picture: Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

The spokesman for North Melbourne’s buzzy gamestyle name ‘Northball’, George Wardlaw, is happy to be an ambassador for the term if the Roos continue to show signs of its electric play.

Wardlaw’s Roos led by 32 points at one stage against Fremantle on Saturday, showing all the dare that has been associated with the ‘Bazball’-like term Northball since the young midfielder himself put it on the agenda in February.

The rugged midfielder was a key part of North Melbourne’s strong half – before Fremantle mowed them down in the third quarter – and finished the game with 23 disposals, five clearances, four tackles and a goal.

It was enough for Wardlaw to earn his second rising star nomination, after first being tapped in round 13 last season.

Roos coach Alastair Clarkson played down the term Northball in the weeks after Wardlaw’s proclamation, and other Roos players have laughed that it has caught on, but Wardlaw himself was happy to keep pushing it.

The term is used inside Arden Street as a catch-all for how players should attack when North Melbourne has possession, a common part of game planning in most AFL clubs.

George Wardlaw has been recognised at the Round 3 Rising Star. Picture: Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

“I don’t know why (it has been played down). Even Clarko trying to shut it down, I don’t know what is wrong with it,” Wardlaw said.

“They should just embrace it.

“I suppose I have to (lead the charge) at this point. If the brand behind Northball is what we produced in that first half, then I would be happy to fly the flag.”

Already renowned for his work on the inside, Wardlaw has been trying to find a balance in his game and on Saturday had 10 contested and 13 uncontested possessions.

In one chain in the second quarter, he collected three disposals and hit up co-captain Jy Simpkin inside-50, setting up a goal.

“Just finding a balance, that is really important for me,” he said.

“That play probably sums it up pretty well. Being able to get forward, get handball receives and use my kicking ability to find targets. As well as winning the ball on the inside and feeding it out.”

Wardlaw has been flying the flag for the Roos’ style of play in 2024, which he’s dubbed ‘Northball’. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Wardlaw said he was unaware a player could get nominated for the rising star in two separate years but denied he was in any way ahead of draftee teammates Colby McKercher and Zane Duursma, who have both been tipped among early favourites for the award.

“Colby has had a brilliant pre-season and an awesome start to the season so in many ways, I think he is ahead of me,” he said.

“He will get one (a nomination) very shortly no doubt and also Duursma, who was a chance this week.”

Wardlaw saw good mate Harry Sheezel ink a giant new contract recently until the end of 2030 and said while he hasn’t had any talks about extending beyond his current deal – that expires in 2026 – he wants to stick around at Arden Street.

“I hope to be at the club for as long as I can,” he said.