“Needs a bit of investigation”: Why is Roos recruit unable to find a spot in North Melbournes best 22?
North Melbourne is in a scrap fight with the Sydney Swans at the SCG on Saturday afternoon, however, they're doing it without young ruckman Callum Coleman-Jones.
The 22-year-old was traded to the Kangaroos from Richmond in the 2021 AFL Trade Period for what was essentially a future second round pick, the Roos stating they wanted the former Tiger as their long-term ruckman.
The former no.20 draft pick is a talented prospect and made his first appearance in blue and white in Round 1 against Hawthorn, but he hasn't featured in the lineup since.
David Noble copped criticism for playing Coleman-Jones, Tristan Xerri and Todd Goldstein in the same team in the Round 1 loss, the coach opting to drop his new recruit.
While the form of Xerri and Goldstein has been strong, five-time premiership player Dermott Brereton is concerned a lowly ranked team in North Melbourne can't find space for a talented youngster.
“Callum Coleman-Jones can’t even get a game in this side,” Brereton told SEN’s Crunch Time.
“This is concerning at this point in time and needs a bit of investigation.
“I mean he’s still a young man, he’s a kid, we know that ruckman take a bit longer but from all accounts, even at Richmond they thought he was good to go, they were disappointed to lose him.
“Yet he cannot get a game at this point in time in the team, which is arguably... is legitimately the 18th ranked team in the comp.”
The Roos have put up an impressive fight in their first half against Sydney on Saturday afternoon, however, the Swans put their foot down late to go into the main break three points up.