Horace
Premium Gold
North Melbourne - 2024 Hugh Greenwood Player Sponsor
Veteran
North Melbourne - 2023 Ailish Considine and Bella Eddy Player Sponsor
North Melbourne - 2023 Aaron Hall and Flynn Perez Player Sponsor
10k Posts
North Melbourne - 2022 Aaron Hall and Flynn Perez Player Sponsor
North Melbourne - 2021 Taylor Garner and Flynn Perez Player Sponsor
North Melbourne - 2020 Taylor Garner and Flynn Perez Player Sponsor
As I understand it, Ben Cunnington
is contracted for next year so unless he decides to quit at the end of the year, he will be on the list in 2024. Not sure what the situation is with Liam Shiells is but his form has probably been good enough for an extension.
Potentially none of these may play on next year but in the case of Goldy, Jack and HG (not Nelson), I believe they should be offered another year, but with conditions as to what will be expected of them if they play on. In my opinion the conditions should be
1. They are in the mix to be picked in the senior team based on form and injuries.
2. When not meeting the form criteria, they should accept that they will play in the VFL team.
3. If playing in the VFL team, their role is two fold, being firstly to guide, direct, mentor our younger boys coming through; and
4. Having an expectation that, being champions of the club (Greenwood not in that category but has been a very handy acquisition over the last two years) they will lead us to a VFL flag. Not the same as an AFL Flag, but hey I wouldn't mind seeing us win a VFL Flag
Now many, if not most here will say, what a rubbish idea this is on my part, because at the very least these players will be taking up valuable list spots which should be reserved for young recruits and developing players.
In support of my argument however, below is Exhibit A, plus B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N and O.
These are our 15 years of draft picks from 2006 to 2020 inclusive. Not all were senior list players or National Draft Picks but nevertheless occupied spots on our list, without distinction. If the above players retire then on balance of probability, we will again next year have players who will occupy spots on our list without distinction.
Now granted, my argument is one that relies on hindsight and who knows which player/s will make it when they are drafted. I argue however that by and large, players who have at least reasonable careers are players drafted probably in the top three rounds of the draft. Very few have long term careers, when drafted in the lower rounds of the draft, though Nick Larkey
is an exception to that theory.
So here are the Exhibits.
2006 Draft Selections
Ben Ross
, Ben Hughes 14 games
2007
Ben Davies, Alan Obst
, Michael Wundke, James Wilson 7 games
2008
Nathan O’Keeffe, Warren Benjamin, Marcus White
, Conor Meredith 14 games
2009
Ayden Kennedy, Brayden Norris, Matthew Scott No games
2010
Cameron Richardson
, Ben Mabon, Cameron Delaney
14 games
2011
Will Sierakowski, Brad McKenzie, Tom Curran, Max Warren
, Brad Mangan, Malcolm Lynch
8 games
2012
Jordan Gysberts
, Mitchell Wilkins, Eric Wallace, Tim McGenniss No games
2013
Joel Tippett
7 games
2014
Dan Nielson, Will Fordham 7 games
2015
Mitch Hibberd, Corey Wagner, Declan Mountford
, Farren Ray
28 games
2016
Declan Watson, Josh Williams
, Oscar Junker, Matthew Taylor 2 games
2017
Alex Morgan
, Tom Jeffries, Will Walker
, Tom Murphy, Gordon Narrier 11 games
2018
Dom Tyson
, Joel Crocker, Tom McKenzie, Tom Wilkinson, Lachie Hosie 11 games
2019
Matt McGuiness No games
2020
Patrick Walker, Connor Menadue
, Charlie Ham 7 games
In total those players played 130 games for our club. In contrast, Goldy and Jack have between them played 578 games for our club.
I might be wrong but I suspect between them, Goldy, Jack and HG might do more for us in 2024 than all of the players on that list did in their combined careers.
E&OE of course because I didn't do any checking of my initial assessment
Also, huge apologies to anyone who suffers from the trauma of viewing that list. It is grim reading and I particularly apologise to those who fought so valiantly for Aiden Kennedy to get a game, even just one game, if they need to go back into therapy.
PLAYERCARDSTART
10
Ben Cunnington
- Age
- 33
- Ht
- 185cm
- Wt
- 88kg
- Pos.
- M/F
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 21.4
- 5star
- K
- 9.0
- 3star
- HB
- 12.4
- 5star
- M
- 2.9
- 3star
- T
- 4.7
- 5star
- CL
- 5.6
- 5star
- D
- 17.7
- 4star
- K
- 6.0
- 2star
- HB
- 11.7
- 5star
- M
- 2.0
- 2star
- T
- 4.0
- 5star
- CL
- 4.0
- 5star
- D
- 15.8
- 4star
- K
- 6.4
- 3star
- HB
- 9.4
- 5star
- M
- 2.4
- 3star
- T
- 6.2
- 5star
- CL
- 3.0
- 5star
PLAYERCARDEND
Potentially none of these may play on next year but in the case of Goldy, Jack and HG (not Nelson), I believe they should be offered another year, but with conditions as to what will be expected of them if they play on. In my opinion the conditions should be
1. They are in the mix to be picked in the senior team based on form and injuries.
2. When not meeting the form criteria, they should accept that they will play in the VFL team.
3. If playing in the VFL team, their role is two fold, being firstly to guide, direct, mentor our younger boys coming through; and
4. Having an expectation that, being champions of the club (Greenwood not in that category but has been a very handy acquisition over the last two years) they will lead us to a VFL flag. Not the same as an AFL Flag, but hey I wouldn't mind seeing us win a VFL Flag
Now many, if not most here will say, what a rubbish idea this is on my part, because at the very least these players will be taking up valuable list spots which should be reserved for young recruits and developing players.
In support of my argument however, below is Exhibit A, plus B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N and O.
These are our 15 years of draft picks from 2006 to 2020 inclusive. Not all were senior list players or National Draft Picks but nevertheless occupied spots on our list, without distinction. If the above players retire then on balance of probability, we will again next year have players who will occupy spots on our list without distinction.
Now granted, my argument is one that relies on hindsight and who knows which player/s will make it when they are drafted. I argue however that by and large, players who have at least reasonable careers are players drafted probably in the top three rounds of the draft. Very few have long term careers, when drafted in the lower rounds of the draft, though Nick Larkey
PLAYERCARDSTART
20
Nick Larkey
- Age
- 26
- Ht
- 198cm
- Wt
- 96kg
- Pos.
- Fwd
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 8.5
- 2star
- K
- 4.6
- 2star
- HB
- 3.9
- 3star
- M
- 3.3
- 3star
- T
- 1.5
- 3star
- G
- 1.4
- 5star
- D
- 7.0
- 1star
- K
- 4.0
- 1star
- HB
- 3.0
- 2star
- M
- 2.0
- 2star
- T
- 1.0
- 2star
- G
- 1.0
- 4star
- D
- 8.8
- 3star
- K
- 4.2
- 2star
- HB
- 4.6
- 4star
- M
- 3.2
- 4star
- T
- 1.4
- 4star
- G
- 0.8
- 4star
PLAYERCARDEND
So here are the Exhibits.
2006 Draft Selections
Ben Ross
PLAYERCARDSTART
Ben Ross
- Age
- 35
- Ht
- 179cm
- Wt
- 79kg
- Pos.
- Mid
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 13.7
- 4star
- K
- 7.3
- 3star
- HB
- 6.4
- 4star
- M
- 3.0
- 3star
- T
- 2.2
- 4star
- CL
- 0.8
- 3star
No current season stats available
- D
- 15.8
- 4star
- K
- 8.8
- 4star
- HB
- 7.0
- 5star
- M
- 3.2
- 4star
- T
- 2.8
- 5star
PLAYERCARDEND
2007
Ben Davies, Alan Obst
PLAYERCARDSTART
Alan Obst
- Age
- 37
- Ht
- 192cm
- Wt
- 97kg
- Pos.
- Def
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 6.6
- 2star
- K
- 3.8
- 1star
- HB
- 2.8
- 2star
- M
- 3.2
- 3star
- T
- 3.2
- 5star
No current season stats available
- D
- 6.6
- 2star
- K
- 3.8
- 2star
- HB
- 2.8
- 3star
- M
- 3.2
- 4star
- T
- 3.2
- 5star
PLAYERCARDEND
2008
Nathan O’Keeffe, Warren Benjamin, Marcus White
PLAYERCARDSTART
Marcus White
- Age
- 33
- Ht
- 185cm
- Wt
- 80kg
- Pos.
- Def
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 13.5
- 3star
- K
- 7.5
- 3star
- HB
- 6.0
- 4star
- M
- 4.0
- 4star
- T
- 3.0
- 5star
No current season stats available
- D
- 13.5
- 4star
- K
- 7.5
- 3star
- HB
- 6.0
- 4star
- M
- 4.0
- 4star
- T
- 3.0
- 5star
PLAYERCARDEND
2009
Ayden Kennedy, Brayden Norris, Matthew Scott No games
2010
Cameron Richardson
PLAYERCARDSTART
Cameron Richardson
- Age
- 36
- Ht
- 189cm
- Wt
- 87kg
- Pos.
- D/M
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 11.1
- 3star
- K
- 6.0
- 2star
- HB
- 5.1
- 4star
- M
- 2.1
- 2star
- T
- 2.6
- 4star
No current season stats available
- D
- 13.2
- 4star
- K
- 6.8
- 3star
- HB
- 6.4
- 4star
- M
- 2.0
- 3star
- T
- 3.4
- 5star
PLAYERCARDEND
PLAYERCARDSTART
Cameron Delaney
- Age
- 32
- Ht
- 195cm
- Wt
- 94kg
- Pos.
- Def
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 15.0
- 4star
- K
- 9.2
- 4star
- HB
- 5.8
- 4star
- M
- 4.7
- 4star
- T
- 2.2
- 4star
No current season stats available
- D
- 14.2
- 4star
- K
- 8.0
- 3star
- HB
- 6.2
- 4star
- M
- 3.2
- 4star
- T
- 2.4
- 4star
PLAYERCARDEND
2011
Will Sierakowski, Brad McKenzie, Tom Curran, Max Warren
PLAYERCARDSTART
Max Warren
- Age
- 31
- Ht
- 181cm
- Wt
- 80kg
- Pos.
- Def
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 2.0
- 1star
- K
- 1.0
- 1star
- HB
- 1.0
- 1star
- M
- 0.0
- 1star
- T
- 2.0
- 4star
No current season stats available
- D
- 2.0
- 1star
- K
- 1.0
- 1star
- HB
- 1.0
- 2star
- M
- 0.0
- 1star
- T
- 2.0
- 4star
PLAYERCARDEND
PLAYERCARDSTART
Malcolm Lynch
- Age
- 36
- Ht
- 184cm
- Wt
- 86kg
- Pos.
- Fwd
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 6.0
- 1star
- K
- 3.5
- 1star
- HB
- 2.5
- 2star
- M
- 5.0
- 5star
- T
- 1.5
- 3star
- G
- 0.0
- 1star
No current season stats available
- D
- 6.0
- 2star
- K
- 3.5
- 2star
- HB
- 2.5
- 3star
- M
- 5.0
- 5star
- T
- 1.5
- 4star
- G
- 0.0
- 1star
PLAYERCARDEND
2012
Jordan Gysberts
PLAYERCARDSTART
Jordan Gysberts
- Age
- 33
- Ht
- 191cm
- Wt
- 81kg
- Pos.
- Mid
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 19.1
- 5star
- K
- 8.9
- 3star
- HB
- 10.2
- 5star
- M
- 3.6
- 4star
- T
- 3.8
- 5star
- CL
- 3.5
- 5star
No current season stats available
- D
- 21.2
- 5star
- K
- 9.4
- 4star
- HB
- 11.8
- 5star
- M
- 4.2
- 4star
- T
- 2.6
- 4star
- CL
- 4.4
- 5star
PLAYERCARDEND
2013
Joel Tippett
PLAYERCARDSTART
Joel Tippett
- Age
- 35
- Ht
- 197cm
- Wt
- 91kg
- Pos.
- Def
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 7.0
- 2star
- K
- 3.8
- 1star
- HB
- 3.2
- 3star
- M
- 2.2
- 2star
- T
- 1.3
- 3star
- MG
- 115.0
- 2star
No current season stats available
- D
- 7.2
- 2star
- K
- 3.4
- 2star
- HB
- 3.8
- 3star
- M
- 2.2
- 3star
- T
- 1.2
- 3star
PLAYERCARDEND
2014
Dan Nielson, Will Fordham 7 games
2015
Mitch Hibberd, Corey Wagner, Declan Mountford
PLAYERCARDSTART
47
Declan Mountford
- Age
- 27
- Ht
- 181cm
- Wt
- 76kg
- Pos.
- D/M
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 14.8
- 4star
- K
- 6.5
- 3star
- HB
- 8.3
- 5star
- M
- 3.2
- 3star
- T
- 3.8
- 5star
- MG
- 222.0
- 3star
No current season stats available
- D
- 14.4
- 4star
- K
- 5.8
- 3star
- HB
- 8.6
- 5star
- M
- 2.4
- 3star
- T
- 4.6
- 5star
- MG
- 210.4
- 4star
PLAYERCARDEND
PLAYERCARDSTART
Farren Ray
- Age
- 38
- Ht
- 187cm
- Wt
- 84kg
- Pos.
- Mid
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 18.0
- 4star
- K
- 9.9
- 4star
- HB
- 8.1
- 5star
- M
- 4.7
- 4star
- T
- 2.7
- 4star
- CL
- 1.7
- 4star
No current season stats available
- D
- 8.2
- 2star
- K
- 4.6
- 2star
- HB
- 3.6
- 3star
- M
- 2.4
- 3star
- T
- 0.6
- 3star
PLAYERCARDEND
2016
Declan Watson, Josh Williams
PLAYERCARDSTART
Josh Williams
- Age
- 26
- Ht
- 190cm
- Wt
- 77kg
- Pos.
- Mid
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 13.0
- 3star
- K
- 6.5
- 3star
- HB
- 6.5
- 4star
- M
- 5.0
- 5star
- T
- 2.0
- 4star
- CL
- 0.0
- 1star
No current season stats available
- D
- 13.0
- 4star
- K
- 6.5
- 3star
- HB
- 6.5
- 4star
- M
- 5.0
- 5star
- T
- 2.0
- 4star
- CL
- 0.0
- 1star
PLAYERCARDEND
2017
Alex Morgan
PLAYERCARDSTART
Alex Morgan
- Age
- 28
- Ht
- 182cm
- Wt
- 83kg
- Pos.
- Def
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 12.0
- 3star
- K
- 5.0
- 2star
- HB
- 7.0
- 4star
- M
- 5.5
- 5star
- T
- 1.0
- 3star
- MG
- 131.0
- 2star
No current season stats available
- D
- 12.0
- 3star
- K
- 5.0
- 2star
- HB
- 7.0
- 5star
- M
- 5.5
- 5star
- T
- 1.0
- 3star
- MG
- 131.0
- 3star
PLAYERCARDEND
PLAYERCARDSTART
27
Will Walker
- Age
- 25
- Ht
- 186cm
- Wt
- 78kg
- Pos.
- M/F
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 9.8
- 2star
- K
- 6.8
- 3star
- HB
- 3.0
- 3star
- M
- 3.0
- 3star
- T
- 2.3
- 4star
- CL
- 0.8
- 3star
No current season stats available
- D
- 9.8
- 3star
- K
- 6.8
- 3star
- HB
- 3.0
- 3star
- M
- 3.0
- 3star
- T
- 2.3
- 4star
- CL
- 0.8
- 3star
PLAYERCARDEND
2018
Dom Tyson
PLAYERCARDSTART
21
Dom Tyson
- Age
- 31
- Ht
- 186cm
- Wt
- 85kg
- Pos.
- Mid
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 22.3
- 5star
- K
- 10.4
- 4star
- HB
- 12.0
- 5star
- M
- 4.3
- 4star
- T
- 3.5
- 5star
- CL
- 3.8
- 5star
No current season stats available
- D
- 14.0
- 4star
- K
- 5.0
- 2star
- HB
- 9.0
- 5star
- M
- 3.2
- 4star
- T
- 1.8
- 4star
- CL
- 2.4
- 5star
PLAYERCARDEND
2019
Matt McGuiness No games
2020
Patrick Walker, Connor Menadue
PLAYERCARDSTART
31
Connor Menadue
- Age
- 27
- Ht
- 187cm
- Wt
- 80kg
- Pos.
- Def
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 12.2
- 3star
- K
- 6.6
- 3star
- HB
- 5.7
- 4star
- M
- 3.1
- 3star
- T
- 2.5
- 4star
- MG
- 203.3
- 3star
No current season stats available
- D
- 5.8
- 2star
- K
- 3.2
- 2star
- HB
- 2.6
- 3star
- M
- 1.4
- 2star
- T
- 2.0
- 4star
- MG
- 78.8
- 2star
PLAYERCARDEND
In total those players played 130 games for our club. In contrast, Goldy and Jack have between them played 578 games for our club.
I might be wrong but I suspect between them, Goldy, Jack and HG might do more for us in 2024 than all of the players on that list did in their combined careers.
E&OE of course because I didn't do any checking of my initial assessment
Also, huge apologies to anyone who suffers from the trauma of viewing that list. It is grim reading and I particularly apologise to those who fought so valiantly for Aiden Kennedy to get a game, even just one game, if they need to go back into therapy.
Last edited: