2008 AFL Team Predictions - North Melbourne Kangaroos

[Borak]

North Melbourne Football Club.

Best Team Line Up

FB Pratt---------Firrito--------Gibson
HB Watt---------Petrie--------Smith
C Wells-------Simpson-----Rawlings
HF Jones--------Edwards-------Grant
FF Thomas-----Thompson ----McMahon

Rucks McIntosh----Harvey------Harris

Bench: Swallow, Lower, Hale, Sinclair

Emergency: Leigh Brown, Lach Hansen, R Tarrent, Greenwood

2008 Predictions

Most Goals: N Thompson / Corey Jones
Most Possessions: Brent Harvey
Most Marks: Drew Petrie

Potential Step Up Year: Daniel Wells, Aaron Edwards
Dreamteam Smokies: J Smith, D Wells, E Lower
Most Brownlow Votes: Wells / Harvey
Rising Star: Lachlan Hansen

General Comments: It was an outstanding 2007, one in which I really enjoyed. We played attacking, entertaining football and got rewarded for it. I think the most amazing thing about it was that we had our super star FF injured and Wells out or ineffective with injury for most the season.
Despite popular belief we relied a lot on our younger/mid core players last season and we have a very young list. Beside Harvey we didn’t rely on any of our older players. Sinclair now starts off the bench while Grant and a poor 2007 and needs to be better in 08 or he won’t get a game. Simpson isn’t effective as perhaps previous seasons but is very important in his leadership and courage.
Fact: The north side was younger than the one which beat Hawthorn in the semi final.

Predicted Final Ladder Position: 2 à 6: Realistically we should be improving from last season. It was interesting to see we had more money put on us than any other side to win the NAB cup, perhaps we’re getting a bit more recognition these days (Plus we need the money and may be taking it more seriously than other teams). I, however, am happy flying under the radar and look forward to another great year

Keys To Moving Up The Ladder: Intensity – our football club and game style thrives on putting teams under pressure and forcing them to make mistakes or react under pressure. Whenever teams lose to North Melbourne they come up with the “we played badly” – I wonder why ..........

[Snatcher01]

You barrack for the worst club in Australia.

[Borak]

Originally Posted by Snatcher01

You barrack for the worst club in Australia.

Actually, my club finished 3rd. So technically we're currently the third best club in Australia.

[ravadongon]

Nice write-up Borak. I think North will finish a similar position to last year (4-8th).

What are your thoughts on Urquhart (heard he had a strong pre-season), Davies (likewise) and Scott D. Thompson?

[Borak]

Originally Posted by ravadongon

Nice write-up Borak. I think North will finish a similar position to last year (4-8th).

What are your thoughts on Urquhart (heard he had a strong pre-season), Davies (likewise) and Scott D. Thompson?

I actually think we'll drop from last year and finish around 6th, but you never know really.

I really like Urquhart - exactly the type of player that i think should be given a shot in our midfield. He will most likely play around 5 or so games this season i would think (but hopefully more). The problem is when we have the likes of Harris, Simpson and Rawlings in the midfield, they are all outstanding players in their own right who can win the ball but the disposal just isn't good enough. In the pre-season game V the doggies we turned it over way too often. I think that's why Laidley is so keen for Wells to be 100% because we need quality outside running midfielders who can deliver the ball to a forward. IMO that's exactly what Urquhart is, has beautiful disposal and his hand balling is really impressive as well, always manages to find players in space.

There were big raps for Scott Thompson in our few games so far this season. Apparantly looks very comfortable at afl level as a ready made third tall defender. A few roos fans are calling for him to replace Watt or atleast challenge him for a place in the side but i can't see it happening. The best thing about the North side is our defence, make no mistake about it. Petrie at CHB with Firrito, Gibson and Pratt taking the main defenders. That really only leaves two places on the half back flank. If one of our defenders gets injured i think S.Thompson might get a call to the team but before then i can't see it happening.

To be honest i really don't know much about Davies. I doubt if he'll make many appearences. Leigh Adam has been excellent and will be fighting for a spot in the 22 along with Lower, Sam Power, Leigh Brown, Campbell/Thomas, Leigh harding and Hansen. The one thing we have more than ever this year is some decent depth. I would probably say Davies would be behind nearly all those players to get a spot in the team and only Lower, Hansen and one of Thomas/Campbell would be really pushing for selection come round one. (Although knowing Laidley Power will be in the side )

[Roos (L)]

Originally Posted by Borak

Actually, my club finished 3rd. So technically we're currently the third best club in Australia.

i thought we finished 4th?
or have a been telling everyone the wrong thing??

[Borak]

Originally Posted by Roos (L)

i thought we finished 4th?
or have a been telling everyone the wrong thing??

We finished fourth at the end of the home and away season but because we got further than the eagles in the finals we ended up finishing third.

[Roos (L)]

oh i get it.
thanks.
how do you reckon we'll go this year?
im hoping top four again. or better.
xx

[Borak]

Originally Posted by Roos (L)

oh i get it.
thanks.
how do you reckon we'll go this year?
im hoping top four again. or better.
xx

grrrr, just wrote a whole post and it stuffed up... ah well here it goes again.

I reckon that a lot of the season comes down to luck. When i say luck i mean things such as injuries, whether teams are in/out of form and if teams you are playing have anything to play for. If things go our way i certainly wouldn't put another top 4 finish out of the question.

I'm very happy with our backline and reasonably happy with the forward line, especially the way Edwards has been performing in the pre-season. He WILL be a star. My only slight concern is the midfield actually. If Simpson, Harris and Rawlings are all on the ground at the same time it means we are gonna struggle to hit targets. Too often have i seen those players turn the ball over. Simpson actually isn't that bad, is way too harshly criticised, i'de say Rawlings is probably one of the worst in the afl as far as kicking the ball is concerned. We really need our outside running midfielders to be the ones delivering the ball into the forward line (Wells, Smith even Uruquat if he gets time).

Btw welcome to the site, great to have another North man on board

[Roos (L)]

I can’t stand Rawlings. He can’t kick at all. And makes really bad decisions when it comes to whom to pass to.
You’d think he’d know what team he plays for.
I’ll agree with you on Edwards. Watching him last year, I didn’t actually see the practice match though it was only in cranny
and me in emerald (only 30 minutes away if you didn’t know).
I like swallow, don’t know why but I can see him going places. If only he’ll get more time on.
Its good Thomson is back hopefully that will shake things up a bit with the forward line.

Thanks its good to be on. Im planning on learning so much more about footy then I do now.