SEN host Andy Maher has heaped praise on North Melbourne's Luke Davies-Uniacke, declaring the young Roo has “officially arrived” at AFL level.
Selected at pick No.4 in the 2017 National Draft, the 22-year-old is averaging career-best numbers in disposals, marks, tackles, inside 50s and clearances in 2021.
Davies-Uniacke has got the continuity he craved after shoulder and groin injuries restricted the midfielder to 30 games in his first three seasons at Arden Street.
He was one of North Melbourne’s best in Saturday’s 39-point win over Carlton, collecting a season-high 28 disposals and five clearances.
“He (Davies-Uniacke) has arrived. He’s officially arrived,” Maher told SEN’s Bob and Andy.
“Luke Davies-Uniacke is here. The next seven or eight years – get ready – he’s going to be a very good player.”
Fellow Kangaroos youngster Nick Larkey also had a day out against the Blues, booting a career-high seven goals to take his season tally to 34 from 18 games.
“Nick Larkey got exactly what he deserved,” Maher said.
“Nick Larkey in the six or seven weeks leading in had kicked two or three (goals) bar the one game against the Western Bulldogs, where he was goalless.
“This has been coming for Nick Larkey.
“Nick Larkey’s never going to be a power forward, but he knows how to play full forward, he knows what he’s doing.
“With a bit of a good ball coming in and a developing midfield and a bit more confidence, Nick Larkey’s going to kick lots of goals.”
Larkey, 23, was selected with pick No.73 in the 2016 National Draft.