North's Finals Side

[roo boys!]

Coming up against the Dees with 6th spot all but secured gave North the perfect opportunity to rest a few blokes after a long season, to get them primed heading into finals. They're all pretty logical changes:

Goldy - deserves a rest after yet another great year, arguably one of North's most important and needs to be ready to shoulder the load against probably Ryder
McDonald - give the young kid another rest...would be real stress on the body playing every game in his debut year. Definitely in the best side, which Scott has stated, so will return next week.
Greenwood - they reckon he did his calf at training but should be right for next week. You'd certainly hope so, crucial player after such an important season turning around his career.
Thomas - has had some knee soreness and it was always on the cards they'd get him 100% for the finals.
Firrito - hasn't missed a game since round 9 in another season that has possibly added a couple extra years to his career. Should return next week, shouldn't he?

With Hansen, Wells and MacMillan all returning this week it could cause some headaches at the selection table next week! What does everyone see as North's best 22?

FB: Hansen, Thompson, Firrito
HB: McDonald, Grima, MacMillan
C: Greenwood, Ziebell, Dal Santo
HF: Turner, Black/Wood, Wells
FF: Thomas, Petrie, Brown

FOL: Goldstein, Swallow, Cunnington

INT: Bastinac, Gibson, Atley, Mullett/Adams (SUB)

Thoughts? I prefer Mullett in the vest over Adams...but see it probably more likely Adams will wear it.

Seems Scott will persist with Petrie, Black and Brown, which is fine as it is working, however if Wood really makes an impression in his debut this week it may be hard to drop him.

[kilbluff1985]

Hey mate

Do you think Turner will be best 22 next year? Looks very good and should get DPP

[roo boys!]

Yeah hasn't put a foot wrong since coming into the side.

Only going to get better as he puts size on his frame, ultra competitive and tough, everything a coach could ask for.

Can see him playing a bit next year, yeah. Chance for DPP but wonder if he's played enough games to qualify for a change.

[kilbluff1985]

i think they look at where they played in the VFL also and where he will prob play next year so i think he is a good chance to get it

thanks was mainly asking as i have him in bxv

[roo boys!]

Yeah that's a fair call, I'd say it's quite likely he'll get it, you're right mate :)

I know the feeling, I've got the great man rookie listed in Worlds

[eski_liddr]

hey mate do you think North Melbourne may win a final sooner or later? the last 3 hasn't been anything to write home about

[roo boys!]

You'd certainly hope that this seems the year...would have to back them in over Essendon on current form.

[WCarey18]

Really hope Mason Wood, Ben Brown and Aaron Black can really start turning it on, especially next year...if they don't, North could be in trouble after Petrie's retirement...

[roo boys!]

That's the key issue with our side at the moment I reckon. Black had a year to forget but for them to show the faith in him all season they must believe he's to take over from Petrie eventually.

Brown looks the goods early days.

Wood too early to tell obviously, but again has shown a lot of promise in the VFL.

Heard rumours strongly linking Jarrad Waite to North...papering over cracks I reckon, would only support the move if the coaching staff honestly believed we could win the flag in the next year or two. The worst possible outcome would be Waite stunting the development of these young key posts by a year or two by taking their spot in the side.

[bottlemart]

That's the key issue with our side at the moment I reckon. Black had a year to forget but for them to show the faith in him all season they must believe he's to take over from Petrie eventually.

Brown looks the goods early days.

Wood too early to tell obviously, but again has shown a lot of promise in the VFL.

Heard rumours strongly linking Jarrad Waite to North...papering over cracks I reckon, would only support the move if the coaching staff honestly believed we could win the flag in the next year or two. The worst possible outcome would be Waite stunting the development of these young key posts by a year or two by taking their spot in the side.

Yes good point RooBoys.  I think waite can play, but hes a 1-2 year option at best, is he going to allow us to take the next step, because you are correct, he will keep either Black or Wood out of the team in the next 2 years if we pick him up.

[Capper]

How many years does PEtrie have on his contract?

[Holz]

How many years does PEtrie have on his contract?

1 year into his 2 year deal so end of 2015.