Gibson did an excellent job on Franklin in the Kangaroos’ semi-final win over the Hawks last year, and the 24-year-old again performed well when the Hawks narrowly defeated North in round three this season – although Franklin kicked five majors that day.
“Gibbo has played on him (Franklin) the last two times and I probably cannot see any reason why he won’t play on him again for the majority of the time,” Laidley said at Arden St on Friday morning.
“Shannon Watt might get a go and Spud (Michael Firrito) might get a go … we have brought in a bit of extra height down there so hopefully that will help.
“Look, he averages eight or nine shots on goal, you’ve just got to hope he kicks 2.7 rather than 7.2.”
Laidley said the decision to turn over six players (two were injured) from the side that was beaten by Fremantle reflected the team’s poor showing on the road last week.
“We probably could have made eight (changes),” Laidley said.
“(Matt) Riggio and (Ed) Lower were not too flash interstate last week but we thought their form in the previous month was pretty good.”
However, Laidley said North Melbourne had shown that it could compete against the best sides in Melbourne this year and would approach Saturday’s match with a simple philosophy
“You have just got to focus on winning the contested footy,” he said.
“It is a pretty simple game. As long as we go hard at the football, win enough football and put enough pressure on I think you are a show in any game of football.”
He said such an attitude had kept North in the ballpark against top sides Geelong [lost by 13 points], the Western Bulldogs (won by three points), Collingwood (won by seven points) and Sydney (drawn).
“Keeping it simple like that should hold us in good stead,” Laidley said.
He also said the club wasn’t expecting miracles from returning duo Shannon Grant [rested] and Corey Jones [foot injury].
“Just to play their role in the side, that’s all we ask,” Laidley said.
“We don’t ask them to go out and kick five or six goals, we don’t ask them to get 30 possessions.
“If they can play a selfless brand of football I think that is all we can ask.”
