After years down the underside of the ladder, North Melbourne have snared 5 younger weapons within the first spherical of the AFL draft to spice up their prolonged rebuild.
The Kangaroos chosen Tasmanian midfielder Colby McKercher at decide two earlier than going once more at No.4 by taking Zane Duursma on Monday evening.
North put in a bid for Gold Coast academy product Jed Walter at decide three, understanding full properly the Suns would match it instantly.
McKercher starred within the Allies’ under-18 championships title this 12 months to place him only one spot behind Harley Reid, who had lengthy been locked in to go at No.1.
The 18-year-old has set his sights on debuting in spherical one subsequent season, as Harry Sheezel did this 12 months in coach Alastair Clarkson’s first sport in command of North.
Sheezel and fellow 2022 North draftee George Wardlaw excitedly met their new teammates at Marvel Stadium, a quartet Kangaroos followers hope will star within the membership’s fifth VFL/AFL premiership.
“Everyone needs goals to motivate them and I think that’s a good one,” McKercher stated.
“‘I’m gonna get to work with that on my mind.
“I can not wait to get to know him (Clarkson) higher and study off him and enhance my sport and hopefully be part of one thing particular.
“It’s probably been the best day of my life so far. A super exciting moment.”
McKercher was introduced together with his jumper by AFL video games document holder Brent Harvey, who starred in North’s final premiership in 1999.
Former North defender Michael Firrito was available to provide Duursma, the brother of Essendon recruit Xavier, his first blue and white guernsey.
“I’m really excited and stoked to be there,” Duursma stated.
“The future’s really bright at North Melbourne so looking forward to being part of that.”
North had been pushed down the draft to select 20 the place they chose ruck Taylor Goad, who solely lately determined to decide to soccer after enjoying basketball.
After dropping Ben McKay to Essendon as a free agent in the course of the commerce interval, North stuffed the important thing defender void with Will Dawson at No.22.
Riley Harderman was up at decide 23, with North including one other defender to the combination.
“The plan was just to pick the talent at the top and then address some of those needs,” North recruiting supervisor Will Thursfield stated.
“It was decided a while ago (North would take McKercher and Duursma) we just thought that they were the two best talents too hard to pass up on.”
https://thewest.com.au/sport/afl/struggling-north-keep-rebuild-going-at-afl-draft-c-12621278
