North Melbourne pre-season: Chris Cavanagh’s notes from latest training session
Nick Larkey, Jack Darling and Harry Sheezel? North Melbourne has given a hint one of its biggest talents could be used as an attacking weapon in 2025. See full track notes here.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
North Melbourne completed some match simulation on Thursday morning as preparations ramp up for season 2025.
Here’s the latest from the track:
GOATER SETBACK
North Melbourne defender Josh Goater has suffered a setback, just weeks after stepping up his training.
Goater began match simulation on Thursday but didn’t finish it and was spotted with ice on his hamstring after leaving the ground.
The club confirmed that Goater was booked for scans on Thursday afternoon to determine the severity of the injury.
The setback came less than three weeks after the Kangaroos detailed plans to begin integrating Goater back into match simulation, having been “cautious about ramping him up too quickly”.
Goater suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in North Melbourne’s opening match of 2024.
RISING RUCK
A giant ruckman entering his second season is the talk of track watchers at Arden Street.
Taylor Goad – who measures 207cm – was again eye-catching during two quarters of match simulation on Thursday, going head-to-head with No. 1 ruckman Tristan Xerri.
The No. 20 pick in the 2023 national draft, Goad is still just 19 years old but competed strongly against the more experienced Xerri – and even beat him on multiple occasions.
Despite his size, Goad is incredibly athletic, has good foot skills and showed that he can compete well at ground level as well as in the air.
The South Australian product kicked one goal for the seconds’ team, but could find himself in the firsts in the not-too-distant future if he keeps up his rapid development.
RIGHT RECRUITS
The Kangaroos have long been looking to add some senior experience to their young playing list and look to have hit the nail on the head during the trade and free agency period last year.
There’s no doubt that Luke Parker and Caleb Daniel will make a difference this season, with both having been among the top performers on the track on Thursday.
Parker started forward and kicked an early goal for the stronger team, but also played some significant minutes onball where he was able to show his toughness, cleanliness and footy smarts around the contest.
Daniel spent most of his time off halfback and was generally clean with his disposal, including when he pushed up the ground and hit targets going inside-50.
Teammates regularly looked to get the ball into Daniel’s hands when he was nearby, funnelling the footy through him.
Former West Coast forward Jack Darling joined Nick Larkey in the forward line and kicked one goal from a set shot in the first quarter, after being hit by Daniel on the lead.
DELIGHTFUL DRAFTEES
The Kangaroos’ No. 2 draft pick from last year does not look like he will take long to find his feet at AFL level.
Finn O’Sullivan spent most of his time on a wing during match simulation and showed how clean he is around the contest.
He also laid some crunching tackles, having long been known for the defensive side of his game as much as his X-Factor with ball in hand.
O’Sullivan sat out drills in the second half of training, having a kick of the footy on the sidelines as he is carefully managed following an injury-interrupted draft year in 2024.
However, the word out of North Melbourne is that he is firmly on track to make his AFL debut in round 1.
The club’s No. 27 draft pick from last year, Matt Whitlock, was also impressive playing in defence for the second’s team, competing well and taking some nice marks.
MAGNET MOVES
Some players found themselves in different positions to what they are used to as Kangaroos’ coaches weigh up potential moves this year.
Zane Duursma spent time on a wing for the seconds’ team but pushed forward to snap one goal from the pocket in the second quarter.
Colby McKercher played his usual halfback position as well as spending some time across half-forward.
Harry Sheezel spent most of his time as a deep forward, a role he played late last season after previously being used as a rebounding defender.
SLOPPY SKILLS
It is only early February, but some of North Melbourne’s ball use was of slight concern.
While the intensity of training was good, there were plenty of missed targets going forward and overuse of the footy at times.
That connection piece between the midfield and forward line was also a major issue last year, with the Kangaroos ranking dead last for scores per inside-50.
Alastair Clarkson’s side can’t afford to be so wasteful again if it is to climb the ladder this season.
MISSING IN ACTION
Defender Griffin Logue (wrist) missed the match simulation, instead doing some running on the sidelines.
Fellow backman Zac Fisher is on light duties after battling a minor hamstring issue at training on Tuesday, which is not expected to have a major impact on his preparations for the year ahead.
Brayden George (knee) did some light skills work away from the main group but expects to be fit for VFL selection in round 1.
Wil Dawson (shoulder) and Aidan Corr (finger) are also working their way back from injury, while Callum Coleman-Jones (Achilles) will not be available until mid-season.
George Wardlaw had a smile on his face watching training from the sidelines, after his high-grade hamstring strain last week which will sideline the gun midfielder for 10-12 weeks.
Originally published as North Melbourne pre-season: Chris Cavanagh’s notes from latest training session
Gutted ex-Eagles boss calls for change after Hunter death
Former Eagles boss Dalton Gooding has revealed he pushed for a club-controlled funding program for former stars during his time at West Coast, in the wake of the tragic death of Adam Hunter.
AFL flags pre-season changes to help end concussion epidemic
Pre-season has long been considered a danger period for concussions in the AFL, and changes could soon be coming at your club every summer.