AFL 2025: North Melbourne will hold George Wardlaw back for at least another week

While it was “enormously tempting” to select a young Roo after his return from injury, he is set for at least another week proving his case.

North Melbourne will hold young midfielder George Wardlaw back for “at least another week” despite a strong showing in the VFL last Sunday.

Wardlaw made his return from pre-season injury through the twos last week and collected 21 disposals in a strong win over Sydney’s affiliate.

With the VFL playing its annual clash against the SANFL as part of Gather Round this weekend, Wardlaw will further build his fitness in a North Melbourne intra-club.

Coach Alastair Clarkson admitted he was tempted to pick Wardlaw but thought another week away from senior footy would have him primed to perform upon return.

“It’s enormously tempting because he played really well in his return game last week but we just think he needs another week of game conditioning,” Clarkson said.

“Our VFL team has a bye this week, but they’re going to play a bit of an internal scratch match. He’ll get some more game conditioning.

“We can control and monitor that a bit better. He’s such an important player for us, we want to make sure he’s not just ready to play, he’s ready to perform.

“We think with at least another week that will give him the best chance to do that.”

George Wardlaw is still at least another week away from returning to North Melbourne’s senior side. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Fellow young gun Zane Duursma also made a strong showing in the same VFL match last Sunday, kicking two goals from 18 possessions.

Clarkson said Duursma was “right in the mix” as star ball winner Luke Davies-Uniacke recovered from the knock he received late against the Swans.

“He’s (Duursma) had a pretty interrupted summer but his last six or eight weeks have been really strong,” he said.

“We’ll confirm our side in the next couple of hours but he played really well last week.

“LDU (Davies-Uniacke) just got a knock in the game last week. We’re very, very confident he will get to the line, but we just need to make sure we’re balancing all those things up by Saturday when we play.”