In today’s AFL briefing, your daily wrap of footy news:
- First look at Alastair Clarkson’s moves in North Melbourne intra-club match.
- Star Tiger on light duties after surgery.
Logue shines as Clarkson showcases first moves
Jon Pierik
Recruit Griffin Logue will give North Melbourne the defensive steel they crave, having impressed in Alastair Clarkson’s first serious hit-out as coach in Saturday’s intra-club match at Arden St.
The Kangaroos pursued the former Fremantle swingman during last year’s trade period, and got their man on a five-year deal. He joined along with fellow Docker Darcy Tucker, recovering from a knee issue, and the Dockers’ future third-round selection in exchange for a future second-round, third-round and fourth-round picks.
In a match pitting yellow singlets against a stronger blue line-up, Logue’s intercept marking was on show. He was dominant in the first term, with star defender Ben McKay positioned at the other end of the ground, before switching teams and joining McKay in the second term. The pre-match plan was for him to only play a half, and that proved to be the case, as he completed cool-down laps at the main break.
Logue spent time up forward last season, but he has relished the opportunity at Arden St to be a permanent defender. He has been eased through training recently, having had a dislocated finger, but club insiders say he has been one of the stand-out, off-season performers.
“He was pretty impressive – he just settles us down there from the small amount we have seen. The more we can get him in with the other backs, that is going to be beneficial,” list and recruiting chief Brady Rawlings said of Logue.
In McKay, off contract this season and weighing up his options, and Logue, Clarkson has the twin defensive pillars he needs for the Roos to rebound after back-to-back bottom placings. The Logue and McKay pairing will allow Aiden Bonar and Aidan Corr, often forced to play taller last season, to have more suitable match-ups.
New co-captain Luke McDonald, also benefitting from a summer working with leadership group Leading Teams, was typically steady against across half-back for the blue side.
Swingman
Cam Zurhaar has been an explosive forward, but the Kangaroos hope he can become a dynamic midfielder. He was used at centre bounces and stoppages on Saturday, and could be a difference-maker this season.
Harry Sheezel (right) in action on Saturday in North Melbourne’s intra-club match.Credit:Jason South
New boys
Harry Sheezel, the No.3 pick in last year’s national draft, was given a defensive role across half-back in the first half, and his ball use was good. He was sent forward in the third term and conjured a fine checkside snap, a trait recruiters praised in his junior days. Former Hawk Liam Shiels, now with the Kangaroos, has compared him to premiership Hawk Luke Breust. “We all know he has great composure and great skills with the ball,” Shiels said on Saturday. George Wardlaw, taken with the pick behind him, has been put on a specialist strength and conditioning program for six weeks. “He’s had a lot of interruptions over the last two years. He had COVID two years ago and a series of soft tissue injuries last year,” Kangaroos head of performance Kevin White. “When he was integrated into main training at the start, some of the baseline testing with his strength and fitness showed that he was a little bit off where the main group is. [However] for his power measurements in the gym, he was No.1 at the club.” Father-son selection Cooper Harvey also found plenty of the ball.
And the old
Daniel Howe is one of several former Hawthorn faces at North. Howe made his name as a tagger with the Hawks, and was used through the midfield on Saturday. Shiels had the game off. “I am feeling really refreshed, but I had a little bit of tight [hamstring] a couple of weeks ago,” Shiels said. Will Phillips, after a frustrating 2022, provided dash through the midfield, while Tom Powell was arguably the best afield. Paul Curtis was also busy. Jaidyn Stephenson spent time at half-back and half-forward. And it was great to see Ben Cunnington, at full fitness after two years impacted by testicular cancer, running around. He had his customary inside-mid role in the first half, and pushed forward after the break, booting three goals.
Eye catching
Keep an eye on Charlie Comben, the forward-ruck who could be the long-term forward partner of Nick Larkey. Comben claimed a huge mark on the goal line and converted in the second term, before, minutes later, heading into the ruck and finding Zurhaar on the lead for another goal. Larkey was also in good shape, as was Tristan Xerri. What is clear is that the Roos have a handful of talls, including veteran Todd Goldstein, jostling for spots – depth that wasn’t there last year.
Star Tiger on light duties
Jon Pierik
Richmond utility Liam Baker is on light duties, having had his appendix removed this week.
As the Tigers took to the training track on Saturday, the club said Baker, a dual premiership player, will be eased back into training next week.
“He woke up feeling pretty sore in the stomach over the weekend and had it investigated and unfortunately he had to have his appendix out,” Richmond assistant coach Xavier Clarke said.
“But Bakes is pretty tough and he’s going to be ready for round one, there’s no doubt. We’ve all seen the way he plays. If he had his way he’d probably be out there training. But he’ll rest up and he’ll be fine in the coming weeks.”
More to come
