Last Year
Although North Melbourne managed to make the finals series in 2008, they were the only team in the 8 to have a percentage lower than 100%. In fact, even Richmond (9th) and Brisbane (10th) had higher percentages than the Roos (7th). This was mainly due to the unstable forward line that the Roos were faced with. They started the season in a topsy turvy manner, winning a couple then losing a couple, even managing to get a draw against Sydney in round 6. Captain Adam Simpson and Vice-captain Brent Harvey shared the high disposal count for the Roos regardless of the result. It wasn’t until round 15 when they started to hit consistency when they won their first of what was to become a six win streak. Unfortunately they lost the last three of the season to finish 7th on the ladder, after looking like top 4 prospects. It seemed to be very much a season of “what could have been” after they bowed out in the first round of the finals to Sydney by 35 points.
Backline
In 2008 the backline looked pretty solid for most of the year. Daniel Pratt was consistent all year round with Michael Firrito and Shannon Watt also important. Josh Gibson had his best season yet adding 20 games to take his career total to 43, and looks set to hit 50 games this year. Watt and Firrito seemed to alternate ups and downs, but even their downs were not too bad.
Midfield
Led by Skipper Adam Simpson and Vice Brent Harvey the midfield showed it was capable of carving up the opposition. Each player was frequently on the Roos best list and dominated the teams possessions. With backup from the likes of Brady Rawlings, Sam Power, Andrew Swallow and Daniel Wells when this midfield is firing, it sure is firing.
Forwards
Probably needed some improvement in 2008. With Petrie and Hale rotating through the ruck, the Roos really needed someone else to play tall forward. Corey Jones and Shannon Grant were there but when they only averaged 1.7 and 1.4 goals a game respectively you see the problem. Supporting the tall forwards were the two exciting young small forwards, Lindsay Thomas and Matt Campbell who each only averaged 1.4 goals a game. Nathan Thompson struggled with an injury mid season but still managed to average almost 2 goals a game in 15 games, the best in the side. We often saw Brent Harvey push forward and kick goals and even he managed just over a goal a game. David Hale was the leading goal kicker for the year with only 37.
Rucks
When he was playing McIntosh was good, but then he did his ACL and the role was split between David Hale and Drew Petrie. Petrie flourished in the second half of the season in many people’s eyes. Showing he was able to play ruck and still kick goals. Youngster Todd Goldstein had a crack in three games, and averaged 9 hitouts, but is still young.
Summary/Expected Finish
All in all, North Melbourne need to find some sort of consistency in their forward line this year. Brent Harvey is now captain after Adam Simpson handed over the reins. Pratt would be wanting to back up last year with another good one in 2009, where as Firrito and Watt probably need to become more consistent. Josh Gibson looks like a good addition, and will break the 50 game mark this season if he continues to improve on last season. Hopefully McIntosh can stay injury free and allow one of Petrie or Hale to stay forward as a tall target. As Hale was leading goal kicker last year I would think he would be first choice. Thomas and Campbell need to stand up and kick more goals more consistently; it’s hard being a small forward so you need to work hard to keep your place. The hole left by the departure of 300 game veteran forward Shannon Grant will be noticed. The midfield needs to continue moving the ball well into the forward 50 and that just needs to be met with forwards who convert. This will take heaps of pressure off the backline. Young draftees Liam Anthony and Jack Ziebell are attracting a lot of attention for round 1 selection, and each looked good in the NAB Cup. Harvey needs to have another stellar year to follow up from last year, I might even be as bold as to say he needs to have a brownlow year. His first year as captain needs to be one where he leads by example. Especially with the two draftees being Midfielders, Harvey could be the perfect role model to mold these two young players into the future for North Melbourne. The Roos play Melbourne, the Bulldogs, Hawthorn, Richmond, Port Adelaide, Brisbane and St Kilda twice in 2009. Three of those were in the top four in 2008, Brisbane was 10th, Port was 13th and Melbourne was 16th.
5th – 7th
Best 22
FB: Daniel Pratt, Josh Gibson, Shannon Watt
HB: Michael Firrito, Leigh Harding, Scott McMahon
C: Adam Simpson, Daniel Wells, Daniel Harris
HF: Matt Campbell, Drew Petrie, Lindsay Thomas
FF: Corey Jones, David Hale, Jack Ziebell
Fol: Hamish McIntosh, Brady Rawlings, Brent Harvey
Int: Sam Power, Gavin Urquhart, Lachlan Hanson, Scott D. Thompson
Tags: 2009 Previews
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