North Melbourne has been honored to have some of the greatest indigenous players of the game represent the club at the highest level.

In the lead-up to this weekend’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round, North Media profiles the 24 men of known indigenous descent who have played a senior game for the club.

Paul Ahern, Kyron Hayden and Gordon Narrier could soon add to that number, with the trio all currently listed at the club, but yet to make their debuts. 

Winston Abraham | 1998 - 2001 | 72 games | 104 goals

An early draft pick for Fremantle in 1994, Abraham was inconsistent for the Dockers over 38 games, and eventually traded to North at the end of 1997. He became a solid forward for the Kangaroos, and was part of the club's 1999 premiership win.

Abraham was known for his silky skills and goal-kicking knack, and took the Mark of the Year in 1998 for a high flying grab against Port Adelaide.

In the opening round of 2001, he injured his knee and did not return to AFL ranks again.

Jed Anderson | 2016 - Current | 25 games | 10 goals

After being traded from Hawthorn, Jed Anderson battled injuries in the early stages of his time at Arden Street.In 2018, Anderson has found continuity in his football, and has become a key part of North’s midfield with his toughness and ability in close features of his game.

Alan Bloomfield | 1970 - 1971 | 13 games | 7 goals

Formerly of Ainslie in the ACT, Bloomfield debuted as a 20-year-old in 1970 and played 11 games in his first season.

He played just two more matches in 1971 to end his stint at North Melbourne.

Barry Cable | 1970; 1974-1977 | 115 games | 133 goals

Barry Cable’s career at Arden Street wasn’t a long one, but the impact he had at North Melbourne during his four years as a player, and four as a coach, was profound.

As a player, Cable won North’s 1970 Best and Fairest award, before being an integral part of 1975 and 1977 VFL premierships.

As a coach, Cable took over the reigns with six games remaining in 1981, before going on to coach at North for another three seasons.

He took North to finals in two of the three full seasons he was at the helm for, and of the 72 games he coached, North won 37 of them.

The rover was included in the club’s Team of the Century, is recognised as a legend in the AFL Hall of Fame for his contributions to the game, and was named as coach in the Indigenous Team of the Century.

Matt Campbell | 2007 - 2012 | 82 games | 79 goals

Recruited from North Adelaide, Campbell was elevated from the rookie list towards the end of the 2007 season. The small forward played 13 games and kicked 10 goals in his debut year. Nicknamed ‘Flash’, Campbell excited fans with his blistering speed and ability to crumb goals but just as important was the defensive pressure he applied in the forward fifty.

Campbell had his best season in 2008 when he and Lindsay Thomas become a formidable attacking combination. Perhaps the most memorable game of his career was when he booted five goals against the Hawks in 2011, including four in a brilliant final quarter.

After eight games and six goals in 2012, he departed the club.

Warren Campbell | 1994 - 1995 | 19 games | 17 goals

Originally from South Fremantle, Campbell was drafted by North in 1992 with its second-round pick. The forward kicked 17 goals for the club over two seasons, and holds the prestigious honour of scoring a goal with his first touch in league football.

Campbell went go on to play in a premiership for South Fremantle in 1997, and booted two goals in the match.

Gary Dhurrkay | 1999 - 2000 | 21 games | 20 goals

Formerly from East Fremantle, Dhurrkay was renowned for his kicking and looked set to be a long-term player after joining Fremantle in 1995.

He played 51 games for the Dockers, before joining North Melbourne in 1999, where he excelled at times with his speed and silky skills. He played 21 times for the Kangaroos over two seasons, then retired in the middle of the 2000 season.

Alf Egan | 1934 - 1935 | 15 games | 7 goals

Alfred Egan was the first indigenous player to play for North Melbourne, back in 1934.

Egan was a late inclusion into the 1932 Grand Final.

Cruize Garlett | 2009 - 2012 | 32 games | 9 goals

Rookie-listed by North in 2008, Garlett debuted the following season and quickly earnt a reputation as a more than capable ball-winner.

Possessing a terrific knack to get the ball out quickly in a contested situation, he played 32 games in four seasons at the club.

Bert Johnson | 1965 - 1968 | 31 games | 5 goals

Remembered as one of the most exciting footballers to watch of his generation, Johnson moved from West Adelaide to North in 1965 and was popular with the Kangaroos’ fans.

He played 31 games over four seasons with the club, and lined up in North's 1967 Reserves Grand Final.

Johnson finished his career with Williamstown in the VFA.

Percy Johnson | 1951 - 1955 | 52 games | 4 goals

Debuted at the age of 20 and went on to play 52 games for North over five seasons.

Derek Kickett | 1989 | 12 games | 12 goals

Kickett attracted the attention of North's scouts after a record 46 votes in the 1987 Sandover Medal for Claremont. He moved to Central Districts in 1988, before being drafted by the Roos with pick 60 in the National Draft.

Kickett showed flashes of brilliance for the Kangaroos, but played just 12 games for the club. He went on to play another 140 games with both Essendon and Sydney and became well known for his exceptional skills and ability to turn a match.

Andrew L. Krakouer | 1989 - 1990 | 8 games | 8 goals

The younger brother of Phil and Jim Krakouer, Andrew showed all the traits of his older brothers on debut in 1989.

He picked up 15 possessions in two quarters to have the football world talking, but played just seven more games for the club.

Jim Krakouer | 1982 - 1989 | 134 games | 229 goals

Jim Krakouer was at Arden Street for eight seasons from 1982 to 1989.

1986 was a stand-out year for Krakouer, who was awarded the Syd Barker Medal, also the year he also led the club in goal-kicking for the first time , with the next coming in 1987.

Krakouer was named in the forward pocket of the Indigenous Team of the Century in 2005.

Phil Krakouer | 1982 - 1989 | 141 games | 224 goals

One half of the iconic Krakouer brothers, Phil Krakouer was an electric forward known as a speedy, highly skilled, half-forward that also featured prominently on the wing.

Krakouer burst onto the scene in his first season at the club, averaging 19.3 disposals and 1.4 goals per game in 1982.

The following year, the West Australian came eighth in the league goal-kicking, with 44 majors to his name, ultimately resulting in him winning the club goal-kicking, the first of three occasions.

What made the Krakouer brothers such a dominant force, was their innate ability to find each other with the ball out on the ground.

Adrian McAdam | 1993 - 1995 | 36 games | 92 goals

McAdam burst onto the scene after being recruited from the Northern Territory with pick 98 in the 1992 National Draft. He had an amazing first season in which he finished the year with 68 goals from 17 games, and set a record with 23 goals from his first three games.

Despite his talents, McAdam only played for three seasons before his career was effectively over. He moved to Collingwood in 1996, but was unable to register a game.

Daniel Motlop | 2001 - 2005 | 47 games | 53 goals

North's first pick in the 2000 National Draft, Daniel is the younger brother of premiership player Shannon Motlop and played 47 games for the club over five seasons.

Despite being a handy goal-kicker for the Kangaroos, Motlop was traded at the end of the 2005 season to Port Adelaide where he went on to play 83 games and kick 155 goals.

Shannon Motlop | 1999 - 2003 | 54 games | 31 goals

Recruited from North Adelaide, Motlop played primarily as a midfielder and small forward and was a key figure in North's premiership win of 1999 in just his seventh game for the club, kicking two goals.

After becoming a regular in the Kangaroos' team in the following two years, Motlop fell out of favour in 2002 and moved back to North Adelaide at the end of year.

He was given a second chance in 2005 by Melbourne, and added another ten games to his tally over two seasons.

Byron Pickett | 1997 - 2002 | 120 games | 81 goals

Known as one of the strongest, toughest players of all time, Byron Pickett spent the first six years of his 11-year career at North.

A midfielder, Pickett was awarded the Rising Star Award in his second year at the club before being a part of the 1999 premiership side the following year.

Pickett’s talent and contributions to the game were acknowledged in 2005, when he was named in the Indigenous Team of the Century alongside the Krakouer brothers.

Eddie Sansbury | 2004 - 2008 | 40 games | 21 goals 

Debuting in 2004 at the age of 21, Sansbury was recruited from Central Districts in South Australia.

Sansbury showed plenty of potential in his five seasons with the club, but was unable to hold down a regular spot in the North team and was subsequently delisted at the end of 2008.

Jy Simpkin | 2017 - 2018 | 23 games | 16 goals

North’s first pick in the 2016 AFL Draft, Jy Simpkin’s electric style of play has made him a favourite amongst North supporters.

Currently in his second year, Simpkin is spending more time in the midfield as he looks to add another string to his bow.

Lindsay Thomas | 2007 - 2017 | 205 games | 325 goals

Drafted with North’s fourth-round pick in the 2006 AFL Draft, not many would have expected Lindsay Thomas to play 200 games.

Thomas’ best game came in Round 12, 2010, where he collected 20 disposals, took eight marks, laid eight tackles and kicked seven goals.

The small forward led his side in the goal-kicking in 2010, and had a career-best year in 2013, when he kicked 53 majors and finished seventh in the Coleman Medal count.

Thomas is still active, and currently plays for Port Adelaide.

Daniel Wells | 2003 - 2016 | 243 games | 150 goals

Selected with pick two in the 2002 AFL Draft, Daniel Wells arrived at North Melbourne with plenty of expectations from media and fans, and lived up to the hype immediately.

In 2003, Wells was recognised by his peers by winning the AFLPA’s Best First Year Player Award, before coming second in the Syd Barker Medal in 2006.

From there, Wells won two Syd Barker Medals, one in 2011 and the other in 2013, and was named as the captain of the Indigenous International Rules Side.

Wells is still active, and currently plays for Collingwood.

Djaran Whyman | 2007 | 3 games | 4 goals

Whyman was first rookie-listed by Hawthorn in 2002 but returned to country football. He then played for North Ballarat and after a strong season in 2006 was recruited by North to its rookie list.

After bags of five and four goals for the Kangaroos' affiliate, Whyman was promoted to the senior list and played three games before being delisted at the end of that year.