North Melbourne’s second ever free agency addition comes to Arden Street on a two-year deal, and where Jarrad Waite fits in the forward line is a point for conjecture.
To start dissecting, you first have to look at his performances for Carlton. Waite was undoubtedly the Blues’ best forward when he was on the field this year.
Although the key-forward missed six games, he led the Blues as an inside 50 target with 99, and took 40 marks within the arc. Of those, 19 were contested, an impressive tally.
It’s Waite’s ability to provide both a target both in the contest and on the lead which provides a hint as to how useful he could be at Arden Street.
Drew Petrie was the only North forward to hit double-figures in contested marks inside 50 this year. Both Ben Brown and Aaron Black did their best work on the lead and roaming further up the field, but the Kangaroos did look one-dimensional at times if their quick ball movement was stifled by the opposition.
PRESS PLAY above to watch Jarrad Waite's highlights | YouTube
The addition of Waite allows a second option for North in those situations. In a flow-on effect, it could give the small and medium forwards more room to move at ground level, stretching defenders out across the forward-line.
Waite has a track record of bringing his fellow forwards into the game, a task that can sometimes be tough for key-position players as the first option going inside 50. The former Blue was inside the top 10 at his old club for score assists during 2014.
Perhaps the biggest question mark over how Waite will perform at North is the calibre of defender he’ll play on. After Brendon Fevola departed the Blues at the end of 2009, he regularly played on the opposition’s best key defender in the last five seasons.
In recent memory, Petrie has always taken the best backman, and the addition of Waite throws up a dilemma for the opposition. Either could flourish without the lion’s share of attention.
The defensive side of all North forwards is of utmost importance; a common line from the players will usually contain something about how the number one priority is getting his pressure right and ‘everything else will come from there’.
When Waite was fit and firing this season, he also doubled as one of the Blues’ best forwards at ground level. He ranked second for tackles in the forward 50, while leading the side in groundball gets in the area.
The 31-year-old should fit in well with the existing Kangaroos’ forward line - as long as he manages to escape the niggling injuries which have plagued him in the past.
