North MIDS

[Swallow12]

More North profiles

Liam Anthony
Position: Midfield
Price: $378,200

2011 Average: 76.46 from 13 games
2010 Average: 95.14 from 7 games
Career Average: 87.4 from 30 games

Verdict: After a strong start to his Dream Team career, Anthony's average tailed off slightly last season. However the number four hasn't lost the ability to rack up big scores - four times in 2011 he registered more than 90 points.

Having spent time with the defensive unit in the pre-season, a potential new role for Anthony could open up his scoring potential.

Shaun Atley
Position: Midfield
Price: $239,300

2011 Average: 48.38 from 16 games
2010 Average: N/A
Career Average: 48.38 from 16 games

Verdict: In his debut season, Atley showed promise in multiple statistical categories; his handballing and tackling a feature.

He's already been earmarked by assistant coach Shane Watson as one of the most impressive on the track during the pre-season and at a relatively low price, there is plenty of room for improvement.

Ryan Bastinac
Position: Midfield
Price: $324,400

2011 Average: 65.58 from 12 games
2010 Average: 65.5 from 22 games
Career Average: 65.5 from 34 games

Verdict: As shown by his career average, the remarkably consistent Bastinac has been a reliable option for many Dream-Teamers over his first two seasons. Following an injury-free pre-season, it could be time for Bastinac to take the step up from just another mid-price player to a premium midfielder. He has the talent and support around him to be able to do so.

Ben Cunnington
Position: Midfield
Price: $260,000

2011 Average: 52.56 from 16 games
2010 Average: 54.78 from 18 games
Career Average: 53.5 from 34 games

Verdict: It was a tough year for Cunnington in 2011 as he was moved around in different positions and for the most part unable to really hold down a spot.

However, Cunnington exploded past the century in the final match of the year against Richmond, despite a tendency to handball more than kick.

Flying on the track in the pre-season, the youngster needs to find his place in the team to help his average rocket towards the triple-figure mark.

Cruize Garlett
Position: Midfield
Price: $267,700

2011 Average: 54.11 from 9 games
2010 Average: 62.64 from 11 games
Career Average: 58.2 from 25 games

Verdict: In an up-and-down 2011 for Garlett, he showed that when his tackling was on song, he could post a respectable score despite minimal game time.

Used regularly as the sub last season, his hard work on the track should allow him to spend more time on the ground.

He's a proven accumulator when it comes to possessions, so could be a bargain find if given more opportunities.

Sam Gibson
Position: Midfield
Price: $85,800

2011 Average: N/A
Career Average: N/A

Verdict: Gibson has impressed from the moment he arrived at Aegis Park. A victory in the two-kilometre time trial on the first day back signaled his intent to work his way into the senior side.

His prior experience as captain of Box Hill will have Gibson well prepared for the rigors of senior football. The absence of Ziebell and potentially Wells in round one against Essendon could be all that Gibson needs to prove himself, but he'll be competing with other rookies for a senior spot which makes things a little tougher.

Levi Greenwood
Position: Midfield
Price: $287,700

2011 Average: 58.15 from 13 games
2010 Average: 71 from 17 games
Career Average: 61.3 from 41 games

Verdict: Greenwood's average dipped in 2011 off the back of an injury interrupted first half of the season.

He also had more of a propensity to handball with his kick to handball ratio heading towards level pegging.

Given his efforts in 2010 and with a full pre-season under his belt, Greenwood could be a wait-and-see, but does loom as a potential bargain as one of North's first-picked every week.

Jamie MacMillan
Position: Midfield
Price: $213,200

2011 Average: 43.11 from 9 games
2010 Average: 49.25 from 4 games
Career Average: 45 from 13 games

Verdict: Macmillan was beginning to cement himself in the North Melbourne side in 2011 before a horrific facial injury suffered against Adelaide. His kick to handball ratio had increased, which is good news heading into 2012.

Macmillan's price is still low enough for coaches to take a low-risk flyer on him and with Brent Harvey singling Macmillan out for praise, there's plenty to like about North's number 34.

Brad McKenzie
Position: Midfield
Price: $103,200

2011 Average: N/A
Career Average: N/A

Verdict: The 18th pick in the 2011 National Draft is a player that Dream Team coaches will have their eyes on, with his ability to fill a spot in the team running off half-back.

He'll need to earn his spot throughout the NAB Cup, but his sublime skills by foot mean his team-mates will be looking to get the ball in his hands at every opportunity.

While his slight build means McKenzie will struggle to play all 22 games, he looks a good chance to accumulate enough matches to make his inclusion into your squad worth while.

Aaron Mullett
Position: Midfield
Price: $219,300

2011 Average: 44.33 from 3 games
2010 Average: N/A
Career Average: 44.33 from 3 games

Verdict: Mullett impressed on his introduction to the senior team late in 2011. However, his third game in round 24 leaves his price at an awkward starting point for coaches in 2012.

Despite his undoubted talent, he is a high-risk pick-up at almost $220k due to the unknown factor having very little senior football under his belt.

Another who's skills by foot mean he'll get plenty of the ball if given the chance, but he first needs to overcome the hurdle of being promoted to the senior list for a second time.

Cameron Richardson
Position: Midfield
Price: $211,500

2011 Average: 42.75 from 8 games
2010 Average: N/A
Career Average: 42.75 from 8 games

Verdict: Beginning 2011 as a potential cash cow from North Melbourne, Richardson struggled to live up to expectations.

Some strong performances at North Ballarat as the year drew to a close were a good sign for owners considering picking him up again.

He has had an injury interrupted pre-season so may be a player to assess on VFL form a little later.

Ben Speight
Position: Midfield
Price: $236,800

2011 Average: 47.88 from 8 games
2010 Average: N/A
Career Average: 47.88 from 8 games

Verdict: Speight showed glimpses of his talent last season playing as a substitute, collecting 53 points against the Bulldogs in Round 17 in just a quarter.

Having recovered from a shoulder injury that prematurely ended his 2011, Speight will be hoping to step things up and secure a regular spot in the first 18 to produce something similar to his effort against Adelaide when he had 23 possessions and four marks (72 points).

Andrew Swallow
Position: Midfield
Price: $491,500

2011 Average: 99.36 from 22 games
2010 Average: 98.5 from 22 games
Career Average: 84.1 from 103 games

Verdict: Swallow was another North Melbourne player that made the leap in 2011. His tackling adds another dimension to comparable premium midfielders and gives him scope to collect a respectable score even on his quieter days possession-wise.

From rounds 17-23 last season, Swallow broke the ton five times and was upwards of 115 on three occasions. He should be in your calculations when debating first picked midfielders.

Max Warren
Position: Midfield
Price: $103,800

2011 Average: N/A
Career Average: N/A

Verdict: The highly rated rookie should get every chance to impress at VFL level early in the season, but is competing against others looking for a senior promotion. Monitor.

Daniel Wells
Position: Midfield
Price: $462,400

2011 Average: 93.48 from 21 games
2010 Average: 82.37 from 19 games
Career Average: 74.9 from 165 games

Verdict: After a 2011 season in which Wells took the step into the elite category of midfielders, his off-season setback may have pushed him back a couple of rungs in the eyes of Dream Team coaches.

However, Wells is progressing nicely in his recovery and is hoping not to miss too many games at the start of the season.

A fantastic athlete and still in full non-contact training at the moment, it shouldn't take Wells long to adapt to the pace of the game again. That leaves the only question as whether he can replicate his 2011 form.

Jack Ziebell
Position: Midfield
Price: $384,900

2011 Average: 77.81 from 21 games
2010 Average: 66.64 from 14 games
Career Average: 71.4 from 45 games

Verdict: Excluding round 22 against Fremantle where he was taken off early with an injury concern, Ziebell finished 2011 in incredible form. From round 14 through to round 23, Ziebell dipped under 90 only once while breaking the century mark four times. The stand-out was an incredible 156 point performance against the Bulldogs in Round 17.

His suspension rules him out of the first two rounds of 2012 and for that reason, it wouldn't be wise to include him in your starting team. However, if you haven't drafted well and have a struggling premium the week Ziebell makes his return; his inclusion could prove a master-stroke given his rapid improvement.



http://www.kangaroos.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/4912/newsid/128083/default.aspx

[My Chumps]

Nice write up Swallow.
Good work  :)