Matt Rendell is incredibly bullish about North Melbourne’s future prospects, saying they could play finals next year on the back of a much-improved midfield group.
After a slow start to the year under first-year coach David Noble, they’ve impressed since the bye to draw with GWS, as well as beating West Coast and Carlton.
Rendell said North’s midfield has toughened up as the season’s progressed and is set to hold them in good stead heading into 2022.
"I like a few of those blokes (in midfield)," he said on SEN Flip.
"Tom Powell looks an absolute beauty, their depth of tough and inside run midfielders… Jy Simpkin has improved and got tougher.
"Luke Davies-Uniacke has come in and shouldered a lot of the load. Their midfield looks outstanding, it’s a big call but their midfield could take them into the eight next year.
"Coming into this year I didn’t think they’d be able to score – the beauty is Larkey has learnt to play as a key forward even though he’s playing against the best defender every week.
"The benefit next year is we’ll some other players coming into that forward line with the benefit of both Larkey and Cam Zurhaar having some great."
North Melbourne will take on Richmond at the MCG on Saturday.