North Melbourne players competed in two 15-minute periods of match sim at their Arden Street home on Friday morning
North Melbourne players competed in two 15-minute periods of match sim at their Arden Street home on Friday morning, as practice matches against AFL opposition quickly approach.
Premier ruck Tristan Xerri lined up alongside Jy Simpkin, Harry Sheezel and Luke Parker at the first centre ball-up, with George Wardlaw, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Luke Urquhart and emerging tall Taylor Goad as the opposing quartet.
Finn O’Sullivan matched up on Robert Hansen jnr in one early wing battle, with Bailey Scott going against Dylan Stephens on the other wing.
It was Stephens who slotted the opening goal of the morning, coolly nailing a long-range effort on the run from distance.
As he did throughout his rookie season, O’Sullivan showcased his strong overheard marking ability, rising for a good grab as an outlet option in the early minutes. He rotated through the centre, as did Tom Powell who started several stoppages at centre half-forward.
Moments after Stephens’ opener, Paul Curtis intercepted a Sheezel inboard kick down the other and found Zane Duursma who swiftly reacted to a play-on call to drill a snap at goal.
Fresh draftee Hugo Mikunda showed some small glimpses of what he’ll be capable of moving forward, with his quick burst a main feature of his game.
Jacob Konstanty enjoyed a purple patch at the backend of the first period. He found River Stevens with his non-preferred foot for a goal assist before earning two shots on goal himself, converting one of them.
Duursma was lively again in the second period, and he had a second major to his name when he mopped up an opposition error before putting through a banana attempt.
Riley Hardeman notched a handful of defensive efforts, notably getting his fingertips on an opposition kick that looked to be going over his head, before working past his opponent to ultimately force a turnover.
Matt Whitlock found some separation from Toby Pink and kicked a late major having been deployed as a forward for the day.
George Wardlaw and Powell won their fair share of the ball throughout the session. Powell’s best highlight came when he worked inside 50 with ball in hand and waited patiently before picking out his captain Nick Larkey with a back-post type cross close to goal.
Aidan Corr, Callum Coleman-Jones, Cam Zurhaar, Charlie Spargo, Zac Fisher, Blake Thredgold, Jackson Archer, Josh Goater, Brayden George and Cooper Trembath didn’t participate in the match sim.