Promising pre-season performances from several of the younger Roos has North Melbourne in good shape heading into the season-opener.
The likes of Braydon Preuss, Ed Vickers-Willis, Mitchell Hibberd and Sam Durdinhave caught the eye of the footballing public during the JLT Series, and according to Sam Gibson it’s just reward for their hard work.
“We always knew that we were going to be losing a bit of experience,” Gibson told RSN about North’s off-season.
“But a lot of the guys who are bobbing up this pre-season aren’t guys who appeared overnight. They’re guys who have been building for a while.”
Durdin, Vickers-Willis and Preuss all arrived at the club in 2014 through either the National or Rookie Drafts.
While a combination of injuries (Durdin, Vickers-Willis) and development (Preuss) have meant the trio took time to emerge, it’s been the solid base on the training track which has North optimistic about the future.
“We always knew once guys like that got their opportunity and got to play and were hungry to play, that we were going to get some pretty good results,” Gibson said.
“While there’s still a lot to work on, we’re pretty pleased with how the pre-season has gone and we’ve shown some really good signs, so hopefully that’s encouraging to not only us but our fans as well.”
Adamant that North ‘won’t accept any inconsistencies’ in 2017 despite the younger list profile, Gibson pointed at the same experienced core of Roos still at the club.
“You look at our leadership group; they’re the same guys who have been there,” he said.
“From that perspective, these are the guys who have been consistently driving the group forward for the last period of time and I don’t think that’ll change at all.
“People tend to forget the Jack Ziebell’s and the Scott Thompson’s and Shaun Higgins’ and Ben Cunnington’s of the world are still there.
“Most of them have taken another step up this year and we look forward to those guys improving again.”
On an individual note, Gibson enters 2017 having played 108 consecutive games.
If the streak continues, the 30-year-old will break the club record of 119 in Round 12, currently held by Keith Greig.
But still only in his sixth year at AFL level, the winger believes there is still improvement left in his game.
“I’m still relatively green as far as AFL experience goes,” Gibson added.
“While my age might be at the top end of the group, from an experience point of view, hopefully I’m just going to keep improving.
“My body feels really good, I haven’t had the rigours of 12 or 13 pre-seasons like most guys my age.
“The aim (in 2017) is to work with the coaches and still do what I’m doing, but fine tune a few things and see if we can get a little more out of me.”
