When you look at the names of North Melbourne’s top three players on Sunday afternoon, it’s hard not to get excited for the future.
Cameron Zurhaar, Nick Larkey and Jy Simpkin have played barely 80 games between them, but all three can now consider themselves match-winners.
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While stars like Jack Ziebell and Todd Goldstein still had a big impact in the win over St Kilda, it was the younger brigade who really stood out.
“I’m really proud of those guys. We are seeing contributions from all across the field, and some guys are going to do a job one week, (and the next week) the other guys really step up,” interim coach Rhyce Shaw said post-match.
Zurhaar and Larkey booted five goals each, while for the second week in a row, Simpkin had a career-high in disposals, this time with 36.
“Cam’s game was super. He’s kicked 5.3, laid a heap of pressure, was just up and about,” Shaw said.
“’Larks’ … he’s kicked five so that gets him half-way to a Rising Star I’d think.
“Jy’s playing really good footy because he puts in the work. He’s a really professional kid and he annoys the hell out of the coaches every day. He wants to get better.
“I know he didn’t see the rewards early on, but he’s certainly seeing them now.
“The challenge for him is to maintain that and that goes with all the other players. We’ve got to maintain that drive and enthusiasm to get better.”
Shaw was delighted with North’s opening term, in which it booted seven goals to one to break the game open.
“It was a fantastic first quarter. We played some really, really good footy,” he said.
“We went in with a plan and we executed the plan to that point and it really set up the game.
“The boys played some pretty good footy.”
And while the youngsters will likely sweep the votes, an experienced big man’s effort didn’t go unnoticed.
Todd Goldstein setting the tone with his work in the ruck.
“Goldy’s just a fantastic player. He’s All-Australian, he’s playing some really good footy at the moment and he’s vital to what we do,” Shaw said.
“For him to put his mark on the game early was great and he set us up.
“He gave first use to Jy and Ben (Cunnington) and Jack (Ziebell) so that was really pleasing.”
Shaw admitted the Roos lost their way in the second quarter and the early part of the third, but was pleased with his players’ response.
“We took a step backward a little bit and we probably weren’t as ruthless as we should have been,” he said.
“We took the lesson from that at half-time, we put a few things in place and the guys came out and executed in the second half of that third quarter.
“In the last quarter we played the type of footy we know we can play. That was really pleasing to know that we can take a hit, then get up and go again.”
North prevailed for a 39-point win, its fifth victory in the last six games.
“We’re playing a really even brand of football and we need everyone contributing at some stage, and guys are stepping up,” Shaw added.
