A tumultuous first half of the season for North Ballarat hasn’t stopped several Kangaroos from performing strongly.

Trent Dumont’s early-season form with the Roosters led to the youngster playing six AFL matches, while Taylor Garner’s comeback after hamstring issues was also impressive.

NMFC.com.au sat down with senior development coach Gavin Brown and development manager Ben Dyer to get their opinion on how the Kangaroos have performed so far this season in the VFL.

Aaron Black

The key position forward has had a tough time in a handful of matches; several heavy Roosters defeats meaning Black has struggled to receive enough supply. However in the fortnight leading up to the bye, the 24-year-old has turned the corner.

“His last two games have been his best, mainly because his work rate has gone through the roof. It’s twigged with him now, he knows that’s the best opportunity to get involved in the game.

“He’s really getting on his bike and using his quickness for a tall. He’s been working up the ground higher and then going back to goal hard.” – Gavin Brown

Sam Durdin

Although a shoulder injury prematurely ended Durdin’s season, the first-year Roo spent time both forward and back in a significant learning period. The 19-year-old was eventually labelled ‘a natural defender’.

“It was a good half-year for him from the point of view of playing against some really different opponents. There were strong opponents who wanted to wrestle; others who wanted to move him around.

“What he’s probably learned is that at senior VFL level you have to be good all the time. He now appreciates that you’ve got to be good in a number of areas to play against those forwards and it’s been an education in concentrating and applying himself for the whole four quarters of the game.” – Ben Dyer

Taylor Garner

After a frustrating series of hamstring injuries, Garner finally made his return in late May. Although he was again put on the shelf after three games with a fractured thumb, his short time on the field was impressive.

“It was encouraging to see how quickly he was able to come in and impact. He does that because he loves the contest and goes looking for the ball.

“From the games that he has played you couldn’t ask for much more considering the time he missed. Once he gets the continuity under his belt, although it’ll be late in the season, he’s going to add to the team because of the controlled aggression he brings.” – Ben Dyer

Brad McKenzie

After spending time at half-back in the pre-season, McKenzie moved into a different role with the Roosters. Although he had a couple of injury-interrupted performances, the left-footer has taken to the new position well.

“He’s playing midfield with a little bit of wing. He’s playing consistent footy with a concentration and focus on his inside work. He’s really improved in both of those areas.

“Over the last four or five weeks he’s been tracking well.” – Gavin Brown

Aaron Mullett

Shoulder surgery towards the end of pre-season set Mullett back at the worst possible time. After his return, the left-footer has played a handful of games with the Roosters, progressing every week.

“He’s played a few back now and last week, especially, was a really solid defensive game and pleasing from the point of view of what he needs to do to get back to playing senior AFL footy.

“You’d expect him to be at that stage now that he has some games in his legs.” – Gavin Brown

Braydon Preuss

North’s first pick in last year’s Rookie Draft, the teenager from Townsville has been thrust into senior VFL football immediately. Standing at 206cm, Preuss’ improvement has been an intriguing subplot to the Roosters’ season.

“He’s really been concentrating on his ruck work and particularly in at centre bounces. When he goes forward it’s about his ability to win shots on goal to round his game out. He’s pretty raw and he’s come a long way since the start of the year.” – Gavin Brown

“It’s about being strong with his follow up (around the ground) and being a presence when he contests is a thing to work on. He’s a big body so to use that to your advantage is important.” – Ben Dyer

Joel Tippett

After playing the first two games of North Melbourne’s season, Tippett returned to North Ballarat where he picked up right how he finished 2014 – one of the side’s most reliable key position defenders.

“He’s a very reliable defender. He’ll take the talls and do the job. We trust him down there to win the one-on-ones because he excels at that.

“He’s working on rounding his game out offensively and getting involved.” – Gavin Brown

Max Warren

A rock of the North Ballarat backline, Warren would be in high standing for the club’s best and fairest at the midway point of the season. Adding an offensive side to his game, the rookie-listed player consistently neutralises the opposition’s most dangerous small forward.

Read NMFC.com.au’s feature piece for how Warren is tracking in 2015