NORTH MELBOURNE comes into the 2019 Draft with a middle-of-the-way hand, allowing the Roos to top up stocks with no real risk at the back end while also having the potential to nab a few real bargains in the second round. With no academy or father-son prospects to make up picks for, they can go in as-is and add some flair to a midfield with bigger, slower bodies.

CURRENT PICKS: 26, 27, 30, 47, 84

NEXT GEN ACADEMY/FATHER-SONS – COMBINE INVITES: Matthew McGuinness

LIST NEEDS:

Midfield speed/class
Goalkicking forwards

FIRST PICK OPTIONS:

The Kangaroos could package up a couple of handy players with picks 26, 27 and 30 able to land a potential slider without worry of missing out on a player they came in hoping to pick up. Ever the antagonists, the Roos have form in making bids and could even be the team to force Port up the order with a bid on Jackson Mead in that range. Elsewhere, Thomson Dow would be a great fit with his power from the stoppages, while the likes of Hugo Ralphsmith and Mitch O’Neill would both be terrific outside options with nice skills. A trio of dynamic medium forwards could also be available in the form of Dylan Williams, Cameron Taheny, and Elijah Taylor – all able to win games off their own boots with bags of goals. Developing key position players Sam De Koning and Charlie Comben could also be thereabouts, with clubs looking to pounce in a draft short of talls.

LIVE TRADE OPTIONS:

While North Melbourne seemed fairly comfortable heading into the 2019 AFL Draft with a couple of mid-20s picks, they picked up another pick shortly after in Pick 30 from Hawthorn, while sending picks 50, 73 and a future second rounder back to the Hawks. It was an interesting trade considering North’s second rounder next year will likely be prior to Pick 30, but the more immediate need for another player, and the fact the Roos have two first rounders next year in a draft where the depth is not as strong, means the second rounder – along with picks 50 and 73 which they would not use – suits them just fine.

REMAINING CROP:

The last of the Kangaroos’ crop will depend on what is available to them earlier on, with picks onwards from the third round always difficult to predict. Cooper Sharman is a third tall with plenty of potential who could slide to pick 47, and GWS Academy product Liam Delahunty is a player with similar attributes who the Roos could bid on in that range. The theme of outside class or midfield zip could see the likes of mature-ager Luke Partington come into the fold, with Under-18s Josh Honey, Josh Shute, and Louis Butler all capable of creating damage going forward. Tall Tasmanian utility Matt McGuinness is another option who could be packaged with the likes of O’Neill to provide that Apple Isle link.