Coach: Brad Scott
Captain: Brent Harvey
Finished 2009: 13th (seven wins, 14 losses, one draw)
Best and fairest: Andrew Swallow
Leading goalkicker: Drew Petrie (27 goals)
Leading possession winner: Adam Simpson (442)
NEW PERSONNEL
On-field: Ben Cunnington, Ryan Bastinac, Aaron Black, Jamie Macmillan, Ayden Kennedy, Brayden Norris (NAB AFL Draft), Majak Daw, Matthew Scott (NAB AFL Rookie Draft)
Off-field: Brad Scott (senior coach), Shane Watson (backline coach), Brett Allison (forward line coach), Jon Haines (player development manager), Jason Lappin (development coach), Glenn Archer (backline coach, part-time)
BEST 22
B: Michael Firrito, Scott Thompson, Brady Rawlings
HB: Scott McMahon, Nathan Grima, Daniel Pratt
C: Daniel Wells, Jack Ziebell, Leigh Harding
HF: Matt Campbell, Drew Petrie, Brent Harvey
F: Ben Warren, David Hale, Lindsay Thomas
Foll: Hamish McIntosh, Liam Anthony, Andrew Swallow
I/C: Todd Goldstein, Lachlan Hansen, Levi Greenwood, Corey Jones
MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER
A proven match-winner, Drew Petrie is dependable at worst. He will again play forward, but can still offer as much as the first-choice ruckman and key defenders in those positions too. If North is any chance of pushing for finals, Petrie will need to kick 50 goals. Covering his suspension for rounds one and two will be a headache.
UP AND COMER
After four games in his debut season, Sam Wright has emerged as a favourite of new coach Brad Scott. The pre-season competition has suggested the 19-year-old is being groomed as a running half-back who could put some early selection pressure on Daniel Pratt. Wright’s ball use is very good, as is his rapport with Jack Ziebell.
NEEDS A BIG YEAR
Make no mistake, Corey Jones is North’s best forward when his form is up. The first half of the season will determine whether the 29-year-old can revisit his output of 2007 and 2008 (46 and 33 goals), even though Ben Warren will have the selectors’ early backing. Jones is out of contract at season’s end and understands the challenge that awaits him.
CHANGING TACK
North’s NAB Cup victory over Geelong was built on Brad Scott’s new attacking game plan and the suffocating defensive pressure of his midfielders and small forwards. The midfield rotation of Matt Campbell, Lindsay Thomas, Levi Greenwood, Cruize Garlett, Ben Ross, Leigh Adams, Gavin Urquhart and Ed Lower should allow Scott to preserve that for most of the season.
Daniel Wells, Brent Harvey, Leigh Harding and Jack Ziebell will spend some time forward, while Michael Firrito has returned to defence and David Hale should be given more ruck duties to increase his impact on games.
Scott’s words and actions to this stage have pointed to greater opportunities for North’s younger, low-profile players.
INJURY LIST
Ben Cunnington (foot) - test
Nathan Grima (finger) - test
Ayden Kennedy (hamstring) - test
Ed Lower (leg) - 6-8 weeks
Alan Obst (quad) - indefinite
WHAT THE CLUB SAYS
"We're pretty happy with where the list is at from an injury perspective and we're continually building our conditioning base.
"The NAB Cup's given our supporters and members a bit of a glimpse of what the side may look like. There's enough there to suggest there'll be some freshness about it but also a few of the old heads around to steer the ship." - senior assistant coach Darren Crocker
CRYSTAL BALL
North will carry the emotion and energy that comes with a new coach and has the perfect test in its first two games: a road trip to Adelaide followed by a clash with grand finalist St Kilda. Inexperience will bring inconsistency but the club should expect 10 wins and be heartened by a 10th-place finish.
SEASON OPENER
March 28 v Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
