To maintain on-field success and to build depth good recruiting is essential. Since the 1996 Premiership 21 players have left the club. Here is a review of North's recruiting for the past two seasons. It is quite possible that North has been the best recruiting club in the AFL during this period.
Some of the players acquired during these two years include: Shannon Grant, Winston Abraham, Jason McCartney, Byron Pickett, Martin Pike and Evan Hewitt. All six of these players are regularly in the senior side.
In contrast, the players North has let go to other clubs include: Wayne Schwass, Stuart Anderson, Mark Stevens, Jason Daniltchenko, Trent Nichols, Paul Geister and John Barnett. Only Schwass and Stevens have done well at their clubs. All the others have struggled to get a senior game, or in Daniltchenko's case been injured.
| 1997 ChangesAt the end of 1996 eleven changes were made. Smith
and Fairley retired and three players were traded to other clubs. Trent Nichols went
back to Richmond, where he has struggled to get a senior game. John Barnett and Paul
Geister never really kicked on at their clubs. The remaining six players were
delisted.
North gained three players that have become regular selections from their draft picks. The number 1 draft pick was Evan Hewitt (#23 overall). He has improved to become a valuable player either at centre-half-back or up forward. North's second pick in the draft was Martin Pike who has been nothing but professional since joining the Kangaroos. Pike was Fitzroy's best and fairest, but was the #42 draft pick, as too many clubs deemed him to be trouble. His off-field antics have largely disappeared, and he has matured greatly under the guidance of the club. Byron Pickett, North's fifth pick, has been the biggest improver in 1998. Pickett played only 1 game in 1997, but has become a tremendously physical back-pocket. He has largely taken over Wayne Schwass' role in the backline. Pickett represented South Australia in State-of-origin this season, and is favourite for the Norwich Rising Star Award. |
1998 Changes Matthew Armstrong and Dean Laidley retired at the end of 1997. The highly publicised swap of Schwass for Grant has benefited both clubs. Grant has had the odd "shocker" but his deadly accuracy in front of goal has added another facet to North's game. He has kicked something like 30 goals 10 behinds for the season, and been a fairly prolific kick getter. Schwass has been excellent for Sydney, being used more in a midfield role, than at half-back. North always expected that Schwass would continue to be a great player - but he probably only has a maximum of three years of top football left in him. In contrast Grant will still improve (recently turning 21), and could be a top player for another eight to ten years. This trade is probably even at the present - but North has more "potential" gain. Stuart Anderson was swapped for Winston Abraham, in a deal that went entirely North's way. Abraham has added excitement and pace. Anderson has struggled to get a game for Fremantle. Mark Stevens has performed fairly well for Adelaide. North could never really fit Stevens into the team - with Carey established at centre-half-forward. North got Jason McCartney for Stevens, and despite being the brunt of supporter's frustration, performed fairly well. He is an honest trier, and more than useful in the backline. This trade was probably equal. |
Summary
Of the players North has let go, only Wayne Schwass could be considered a loss. However his position has been well covered with some of the gains - Pickett has largely taken over his role, and Grant has lived up to expectations.
The addition of Abraham and Pike - both automatic senior selections - has added some extra running strength. Hewitt and McCartney have been used in North's search for an extra tall defender.
North has looked to recruit pace and height. Critics have suggested that North lacks genuine pace, and a centre-half-back. The club has tried to cover these deficiencies with players that can immediately step in to the side. But more importantly the club has also gone for youth - of the 11 draft picks in the past 2 seasons the breakdown has been:
one 17 year old
seven 18 year olds
two 19 year olds
one 23 year old (Martin Pike)
Compared to other AFL clubs, North's recruiting looks, at this stage, to be excellent. Whether some of the younger players on the list can take the next step remains to be seen. It will be interesting to see just how many of the players picked in each draft reach the 50 game milestone.
A quick glance at the North team reveals several other players that have had senior experience at other clubs. Brett Chandler and John Blakey both came from Fitzroy, Robert Scott from Geelong, Peter Bell from Fremantle, and Mark Roberts from Sydney and Brisbane.