With the season over North Media takes a look back at some of the key performers from the season that was, beginning with the forwards.
Despite starting the season in the slowest possible fashion, being held to just 39 points in monsoonal conditions in Cairns in Round 1, the North forward line responded to finish the season with the sixth most potent attack in the league.
Leading the way in this department was Ben Brown, with the big man finishing second in the Coleman Medal with 61 goals.
A re-invented Jack Ziebell was another significant influence in the forward 50, kicking 35 goals as forward.
Although he didn’t manage a call-up to the AFL due to the strong form of players such as Brown and Ziebell, Nick Larkey was another that enjoyed a stand-out season, leading the VFL for goals kicked.
Ben Brown
After a brilliant 2017, Brown truly announced himself as one of the competitions best key-forwards in 2018.
Brown was brilliant throughout the year, leading the Coleman Medal tally for the majority of the season, eventually finishing second to Jack Riewoldt.
After kicking 23 goals in the opening six rounds, Brown would often find himself having to deal with multiple opponents whenever the ball went inside 50, restricting his opportunities.
However, the number 50’s superb accuracy in front of goal (the best of any player to kick more than 50 goals) meant that whenever he had an opportunity, he was always a chance of a goal.
Ben Brown celebrates one of five goals in the third quarter against GWS in Hobart.
Brad Scott showered praise upon Brown early on in the season, after which he continued to excel.
“He is becoming a pretty complete player. He had elements of his game that he really needed to work on, like defensive stuff, and he is now a very good defender,” Scott told SEN in April.
“The pressure he can apply for someone of his statue is impressive. He has always been an elite runner, which not many people have probably recognised."
North forwards coach Leigh Tudor echoed Scott’s sentiments at the end of the season.
“Browny had a fantastic year,” Tudor told North Media.
“He fell away a bit towards the end, but he had a really consistent year. Teams put a lot of work into him, but he was fantastic.
“He brought the ball to ground, and often had two, three or even four players going up against him.
“If there was a game he wasn’t scoring himself, he was creating scoring opportunities.
“Browny can still improve, which he is very good at, and that’s very exciting.”
Brown’s super season was recognised by selection in the All Australian 40-man squad.
Season highlight
After being held goalless in Round 1, Brown returned to form in magnificent fashion in Round 2, kicking 6 goals as the Roos thrashed the Saints on Good Friday.
Brown celebrates with North fans during the Round 2 win over the Saints.
2018 stats
Games - 22 | Goals - 61 | Ave disposals - 11.2 | Ave marks - 4.5 | Ave tackles - 1.1
Jack Ziebell
With the development of midfielders such as Jed Anderson and Paul Ahern, Ziebell was able to play the majority of 2018 inside the forward 50, and with devastating effect.
Ziebell formed a formidable partnership with Brown, Jarrad Waite and later, Mason Wood in the forward 50, providing another strong target and goal-threat.
The North skipper finished second in the Roos’ goal-kicking, only behind Brown, with 35 goals.
Ziebell and Shaun Atley celebrate the skipper's last minute winner against the Bulldogs.
And Ziebell’s move to the forward line impressed many onlookers, including Garry Lyon and Tim Watson.
After the Round 17 clash with the Swans, in which Ziebell booted 5 goals, Lyon labelled his move forward a ‘masterful piece of coaching’.
And Watson was not short of compliments around his brilliant performance.
“He played the best game I have ever seen him play,” Watson said.
“Not just the fact that he kicked five goals, he was an enormous presence in that forward line.”
Despite the bash-and-crash nature of his game, Ziebell was able to play in every game of 2018, providing an inspirational figure throughout the season.
Leigh Tudor was another that was impressed with his ability and impact in the forward line.
“Jack was fantastic playing as a forward,” Tudor said.
“He was really strong in the contest and had a real presence. Opposition sides knew when he was around.
“’Ziebs’ picked up the leading patters of the forwards and how we go forward as a team really well.
“He was able to hit the scoreboard, and is only going to get better the more he plays as a forward.”
Season highlight
Ziebell’s 22 disposal, 9 mark and 5 goal effort in the loss to Sydney in what was one of the games of the season will live long in the memory, and was arguably the skipper’s best game of his career.
Ziebell celebrates against the Swans.
2018 stats
Games - 22 | Goals - 35 | Ave Disposals - 17.1 | Ave Marks - 4.7 | Ave Tackles - 3.5
Nick Larkey
Although Larkey wasn’t able to force a call-up to the AFL in 2018, he still enjoyed a fine season.
Larkey was one of North VFL’s most consistent performers throughout the season, kicking 41 goals, and winning the Frosty Miller medal in the process.
The number 20 unfortunately found himself behind a red-hot forward line for the most of the season, with Brown, Waite, Wood and Ziebell keeping him out.
But according to Tudor, Larkey’s lack of senior action didn’t hamper his growth.
“Although he didn’t play a senior game, Larks was still able to improve playing in the VFL,” he said.
“He was always knocking on the door, and if Browny had gone down, he was the next one in.
“He improved the things he set out to. He got fitter, stronger, had more shots at goal and had more impact on games.
“There is still obviously plenty of room for improvement, but he was able to cap off a great year by leading the VFL goal-kickers, which was a great reward.”
Larkey will be encouraged by a handful of emergency appearances, and with the retirement of Waite, he will be looking to cement a position in the Roos’ front six in 2019.
Season highlight
Larkey kicked 5 goals, took 11 marks and had 14 disposals in a big win over Williamstown.
Larkey in action against Williamstown.
Season stats
Games - 17 | Goals - 41
