North fans have had to endure some remarkably tough times over the past few years, however, their progress in 2021 bodes well for what the foreseeable future might bring.
Although they clinched the wooden spoon, there were some real glimmers of hope in their performances under new coach David Noble.
Holding Pick 1 at this year's draft, along with a host of other selections, the Roos are set to welcome a healthy crop of the brightest stars in the country through the doors at Arden Street.
A relatively quiet trade period has signalled their draft intent and Wednesday night looms as one of the most important in recent times for the club.
Draft hand
Picks: 1, 20, 42, 47, 72, 77
Draft points: 4642
The Roos are set to nab South Australian star Jason Horne-Francis at Pick 1, with the enigmatic midfielder head and shoulders above the rest of his draftee counterparts.
Outside of the top pick, North boast an early second-round pick as well as a pair of third-rounders with picks 42 and 47 before two picks in the 70s complete their hand.
The arrival of Hugh Greenwood may bolster their midfield stocks, however the concerns surrounding the heartbreaking loss of leader Ben Cunnington means they're almost back to square one and will need to address their midfield ensemble for the foreseeable future.
List needs
A classy midfielder:
The Roos already boast some class in the middle of the park, however it never hurts to add even more, which is exactly what they'll do with their first pick of the evening.
Jason Horne-Francis is set to be a superstar, with his game in the SANFL preliminary final for South Adelaide showing the immense potential that this young man has as an AFL footballer.
A key defender:
The departure of Robbie Tarrant coupled with the delisting of Shaun Atleyย has left some holes in North's rearguard that must be addressed.
Although Ben McKay, Aidan Corr and co. will be a part of the Roos' back-six for some time yet, a Tarrant replacement is necessary and the draft very well could be the place to pick one up.
A spearhead:
North Melbourne haven't yet found a true successor for Ben Brown, who departed at the end of last year, however the likes of Nick Larkey and Cam Zurhaar have found their home down in attack.
The incoming Coleman-Jones does give another option, however, his shared focus with duties in the ruck doesn't provide a dedicated key forward, with the draft pool this year boasting a few promising candidates.
Ideal recruits
Jason Horne-Francis (midfielder):
It seems that everything that needs to be said about this prospect has been said, with the 18-year-old dazzling recruiters throughout 2021.
Standing at 185cm tall and being able to drift forward, Horne-Francis has drawn comparison to the likes of Dangerfield and Fyfe with his current ability sure to cut it from his first day at AFL level.
There is no way that Horne-Francis goes anywhere else, with David Nobleย licking his lips as to what he could become for the Roos.
Jacob van Rooyen (defender/forward): This key position player could very well kill two birds with one stone depending on how David Noble deploys him.
van Rooyen predominately featured for Claremont's Colts side and was able to play in defence whilst also drifting down into attack to impact the scoreboard when needed.
His ability in the contest is one of his key attributes, boasting a great set of hands that serve him very well at both ends of the ground.
Standing at 194cm and having a fantastic work ethic, van Rooyen could be the answer to both the Tarrant and Brown question, with the 18-year-old set to go as a late-first to early second-round pick.
Jack Williams (forward):ย The big-bodied forward could go land in the top 30, however North may role the dice and hope the Western Australian talent is on offer when they're on the clock with their third selection of the night.
Compared to fellow WA-native Jye Amiss, Williams is dominant in the air and his size means that he will prove a problem for defences wherever he lands.
The 195cm-tall booted 40 goals in the WAFL Colts during 2021 and would not look out of place at all down in attack with the likes of Zurhaar and Larkey.
