Former AFL coach Terry Wallace is worried for North Melbourne’s 2018 campaign, believing the Kangaroos face major struggles next year.
After finishing in 15th place this year, Wallace believes the rebuilding Roos face an uphill battle to match their six wins from 2017, agreeing with former Melbourne forward David Schwarz’s assessment that they will win the wooden spoon next season.
“They have got the least talented list at the moment in the competition, bar none,” the former Richmond and Western Bulldogs coach told SEN’s The Run Home.
“I don’t like to be absolutely pessimistic, but when you’re having a look at this squad, I’ve got to give credit to their coaching staff last year, because for what they’re putting on the park and what performances they put in, they were far more competitive than what I thought they could possibly be.
“It is going to be a real battle and a real struggle. I know the way they go about it is very professional, so they’ll want to fight the fight, but I think this is one fight they cannot really get a hold of.”
Wallace believes North’s long road back to being a premiership contender stems from their choice to “recruit for the now” during their successful 2014 and 2015 campaigns, making the preliminary finals in both seasons.
“They did what Port Adelaide have done this year,” he said.
“When they made those two preliminary finals, they stacked up with older blokes. They tried to have a go, it didn’t work and they’re paying the consequences for having a whole heap of old blokes there at the one time. It hurts your football club.
“It’s just a long build to get yourself back up there.”
After falling short in securing star midfielders Dustin Martin and Josh Kelly despite lucrative offers to move clubs, the Roos also failed to attract any players in the NAB AFL Trade and Free Agency Period, with their only offseason deal seeing defender Sam Gibson move to Adelaide for pick 91.
A play for youngster Darcy Lang also didn’t materialise, with the former Cat instead choosing Carlton as his new home despite touring North’s Arden St home – a fact that Wallace considers is a real worry for the Roos’ ability to lure talent from rival clubs.
Wallace criticised the club’s decision to hold onto out-of-form ruckman Todd Goldstein, believing this offseason to have been the perfect time to part ways with the former All-Australian and install 22-year-old Braydon Preuss as number one ruck, and slammed their decision to recruit ex-Hawk Jed Anderson in 2015, who has only managed 15 games from two seasons in the blue and white.
“Jed Anderson has been a complete bust for them. They gave away a first round draft pick to bring Jed Anderson from the Hawthorn footy club and that hasn’t worked for them,” he said.
However Wallace says that there are still some positives that North fans have to look for next year, in particular surrounding the club’s growing list of young talent and their ability to compete above their level and experience.
“Now is the opportunity for those second and third year players to stand up,” he said.
“If North are going to make any grade, there has to be this group of 20 to 22-year-olds that actually drive them forward.
“There’s too many questions about those guys. (Mason) Wood looks good but is inconsistent. (Taylor) Garner can do touches of brilliance, but it’s not consistent. The kids down back showed some signs but can they rise another level?”
The ex-coach also says that draft hopeful Jayden Stephenson, who he believes the Roos will select with pick four in the 2017 NAB AFL National Draft, will be a highlight for years to come for North fans.
“Love him as a bloke and love him as a footballer (with his) outside run and carry,” said Wallace.
“Think wingman/ high half-forward. He kicked five goals in one of the state games off the wing. His last five games in the TAC Cup he had over 30 possessions in all five games.
“As a run and dasher, he will be a very good pickup.”