North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has flagged a role change for young star Harry Sheezel could be come sooner than expected.
The reigning Rising Star winner continues to offer clean and composed ball movement and run from the Roos' defensive half, with the view his damaging disposal could be more beneficial further up the field.
Sheezel leads the league for disposals after six matches, recording tallies of 32, 35, 32,35, 38 and 26 so far this year for a total of 198 touches - seven more than next best in Fremantle's Caleb Serong.
Drafted as a small forward before being utilised in a roaming defensive role, Sheezel could now return to the front third of the field via a midfield move that allows the teenager to split his time between the engine room and attacking 50.
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Clarkson and his selection committee had planned to move Sheezel to a more centralised role in the latter half of the season, however will now consider a change earlier than anticipated.
The issue for the Roos is who Sheezel replaces in midfield, with Clarkson's crop of young onballers - including Tom Powell, Will Phillips, Colby McKercher, Charlie Lazzaro and George Wardlaw - also needing to gain minutes at the coalface.
Sheezel has offered glimpses of how efficiently he could complement star ball-winner Ouke Davies-Uniacke, with the occasion delivery inside 50 often pinpoint to attacking targets.
The consideration for Sheezel to move into a midfield-forward role is now likely to be sped up as the brains trust at Arden Street weigh up what might be best moving forward.
"We want Sheezel in other spots on the ground, but it's just the balance of the side. Who do you take to half-back to replace him?" Clarkson said after his side's 45-point defeat to the Hawks.
"The other guys like Powell, Phillips and McKercher and these guys, we want to give them some exposure to the footy as well. We'll probably explore [a move for Sheezel].
"We wanted him to try to consolidate his position at half-back in the first half of the year and then see in the second half of the year whether that was more midfield or mid-forward opportunities.
"We just might have to fast-track that a little bit now. It'll depend a little bit on the balance of the side. We'll see where that takes us over the next little while."
To make matters harder for Clarkson at selection this week, the Roos should regain Wardlaw after the former top four draft pick was managed for the club's Round 6 game against Hawthorn.
Still chasing their maiden win of 2024, Wardlaw is likely to return for North Melbourne's upcoming clash against Adelaide in Hobart.
Phillips (nose) and forward Eddie Ford (hip) aren't expected to miss matches following minor concerns from Sunday's affair.
North Melbourne will host the Crows at Blundstone Arena on Saturday at 1:45pm (AEST) in a bid to avoid starting the season 0-7.
