NORTH Melbourne will use the NAB Challenge to trial run-with players, with Sam Gibson a contender as the club searches for a tagger to complement its growing midfield.
The Kangaroos have been unable to develop a regular senior tagger in recent seasons, only occasionally opting to use someone in the shutdown role.
Now departed midfielder Levi Greenwood played the role for a short period, while Luke McDonald and Ryan Bastinac shape as other options for North coach Brad Scott this year.
Bastinac, Higgins and McDonald to step up: Scott
While pleased with the growing onball depth at his disposal, Scott said even the best teams used a run-with specialist and the Kangaroos would be trying to find one before round one.
"We're really looking to develop some players in that role and without giving too much away, we've trained a couple of guys in that role this pre-season," he told Radio Sport National.
"It doesn't matter how good your midfield is, and Hawthorn's a good example, you still use a shutdown tagger at times.
"We're trialling a few guys in that role and we'll use the NAB Challenge to further trial a few guys. We definitely need to find that type of player to complement the midfield."
Scott keen on leadership handover at North
Scott said Gibson, who played every game last season and ranked No.2 at the Kangaroos for disposals, had the potential to fill the tagger role at Arden Street.
"When you look for a player who can play a shutdown player, (Fremantle tagger) Ryan Crowley is a very disciplined player but he's also got great endurance," the coach said.
"So you're looking at players who have got the discipline, the endurance and the concentration to be able to play that role.
"When you talk about those qualities you think of Sam Gibson … and he has played that role in the past."
Bastinac was squeezed out of a prominent midfield role last year with the addition of Nick Dal Santo and Greenwood's development, but Scott said he would have more opportunities in 2015.
"In retrospect we played him out of position a little bit, but that was because there were other players going better at the time," Scott said.
"With Levi moving on that presents another opportunity for Ryan.
"He's a quality player and a really hard worker.
"He's had a terrific pre-season so we'll certainly give Ryan an opportunity to step up and I think hell take that opportunity."
Kangaroos to trial taggers in NAB Challenge
Sam Gibson a chance to be North's run-with specialist, coach says
