2019 Team Preview – North Melbourne

(Written & Created By Roo Bloke)

 

Before I go through each of the lines, I’ll give you this brief summary. Similar to North’s 2019 prospects, it could be a huge year for the club but it could be a stinker. Of all 18 clubs North has arguably one of the widest range of possible finishing positions.

Before the mathematician’s jump all over me saying all clubs have equal likelihood of finishing first through last, sit down, relax … you know what I mean. North could be good, could be alright and could stink. That variance stems from a lot of our players who are generally well priced with no lofty price tags but for many there comes some element of risk.

 

DEFENDERS

Lock and Load: Look, to be honest, there’s no one for this category. What an underwhelming start to the article!

Feeling Lucky: Highlighting the lack of lock and load types at North, there is an abundance of low 400K and 300K defenders in the blue and white stripes. Macmillan ($440,200) and McDonald ($362,200) have both burnt me in the past. They’re so inconsistent! With North’s new additions over the off season I see these two more and more as role players. If Pittard ($365,700) can get back to his 2016 form where he averaged 91.4 he’ll be a good get at that price. Probably someone to strongly monitor in the various news sources across the next six weeks.

Money Maker: With Daw missing for the foreseeable future and Scotty Thompson suspended for R1 there’s a spot or two for a tall defender in the North set up. Durdin ($202,300) and McKay ($123,900) will be vying for these spots and with the news that North has signed McKay for a longer contract you’d suspect he might get a decent run at it this year. But he’s a key position player so even if he’s named round one I’d only pick him if there’s no other options. We’re all well aware that key defenders aren’t that sexy in SuperCoach.

 

MIDFIELDERS

Lock and Load: Set starting positions should suit North’s midifield. Higgins ($560,200) is our most expensive mid and he’s a jet. With increased space at centre square contests you’d expect to see him turn on the after burners and hit Benny Brown lace out plenty of times across the season. At that price I’m strongly considering starting with him. Many of you will still have Higgins on your ‘Never Again’ list. Throw that aside, he’s a refreshed man and he’s a consistent elite mid these days. Seriously people, consider Higgo.

Feeling Lucky: As for the other North mids, a whole bunch of them are awkwardly priced. Polec ($513,000), Dumont ($452,800), Tyson ($411,00), Hall ($389,200) and Ahern ($375,100) are all more likely than not to increase in value but they’re not top 10 mids so you won’t want them in your final line ups come the pointy end of the season. Those trades are always the most awkward to mastermind. Of these players, Hall has the greatest up side and could jump enough in value to either end up being an elite scoring mid or more likely at least generate enough moolah to make the trade to an elite premium worth it. Hall is one I’m considering.

Money Maker: LDU or Davies-Uniacke ($197,500) for those that weren’t on SuperCoach forums or social media last season hits us again at a similar price as last year. It’d take a brave (or foolish) coach to go with him again last year. I just can’t recommend him when there’s Tarryn Thomas ($175,000). As an aside, I feel he’ll always get the full name treatment from commentators. Tarryn Thomas is 23.5K cheaper than LDU and the wraps on him are massive. You’ve probably already picked him but if you haven’t get back onto the team picker and change that team. Get him in. Just watch Brad Scott though as he can be quite shifty and keep North’s rookies back.

There’s a bunch of other cheap North mids around the 102K mark but with Hall, Polec, Pittard, Tyson and Tarryn Thomas all new to the club there’s unlikely to be a spot for them unless the injury stick hits a few North players.

 

RUCKS

Lock and Load: Goldstein ($548,000) was back to career best form in 2018 with his output rivalling his AA year a few years earlier. It just happens that in those few years Gawn and Grundy have taken rucking to a new level and with set starting positions they’re likely to be at the pointy end of SC scoring again this season. Gawn and Grundy are super likely to outscore Goldy across the season but with a salary cap there’ll be coaches that are keen to save coin at R2 to spend on other lines. If that’s you, Goldy could be your man. He’ll have a good midfield unit at his feet, he gets involved around the ground, he often drifts forward to snag a goal, with Preuss gone his JS is better than ever and with Daw out injured his ruck back up is rejected Bulldog Tom Campbell. There’s a strong case for having Goldy. A very strong case.

Feeling Lucky: Nothing to see here.

Money Maker: Campbell ($264,400) is a bit expensive for some as a ruck option, particularly for the coaches that favour R3 as a Freo/WCE dud ruck to give plenty of captaincy loophole options. Campbell is likely to play and here’s why. Plan A in 2018 was Daw switch into the ruck as our bit part ruckman covering for Goldy when he needed a brief rest. Let’s move to Plan B which would be Brown move into the ruck with Waite playing as the lone big fella down in the 50. Well, Waite’s gone so I can’t see that happening. Plan C? Plan C will likely be Campbell playing as a decoy forward and a bit in the ruck. Scott tried this with Preuss and the forward craft didn’t happen for Preuss but Scott may go down this line again. If he can earn some 70s, he’d make 100K across the first half of the season before trading him out. I’d suggest looking elsewhere but it could potentially work as a left field theory.

 

FORWARDS

Lock and Load: I love the way Ziebell ($458,500) and Brown ($451,100) go about it, and I think they’ll have decent years, but I can’t see them being top 10 forwards so they’re a no for me.

Feeling Lucky: North’s forward SC options read as a list of underachievers or players with potential depending on how you see life. Atley ($364,700) and Wood ($363,300) have been in the system a while now and whilst they regularly look like they could take that next step my view of them has stabilised and I feel like they are what they are and not anything more. Turner ($274,100) simply doesn’t touch the footy enough to be SC relevant. IF, BIG IF, Garner ($254,600) ever gets his body right he could/should be a good player for North from the glimpses we’ve seen. I’m avoiding all of the above as they’re simply not SC relevant.

Money Maker: The major interest down here is all the cheap DPP options. Unfortunately I can’t see any of them getting too much game time but if you’re looking for a non-playing option, either now or later in the season to allow one of your big money players to swing across the lines there’s a player for you here. Xerri ($123,900) is RUCK/FWD, Crocker ($117,300) is DEF/FWD, Taylor ($117,300) is MID/FWD as is Hayden (102,400) MID/FWD.

 

In summary, here’s my top 5 North SC candidates for 2019………….

 1. Tarryn Thomas

2. Higgins

3. Hall

4. Goldstein

5. Pittard

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