Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney is liking the way North Melbourne’s list is being constructed.
Cooney is particularly excited by the Kangaroos’ young midfield cohort that has been built over multiple drafts since 2016.
“They are building a very strong young midfield group that will improve,” Cooney told SEN SA Breakfast.
“They’ve got Tom Powell, Luke Davies-Uniacke – who stook a really big stride forward (in 2021) – Jy Simpkin is another one, Jed Anderson.
“You throw Jason Horne-Francis in there, Will Phillips and Tarryn Thomas – that is the nucleus of a great side and great midfield.
“You need a strong, deep midfield if you are going to compete with the best in the AFL. They’re going to be a really strong midfield group.
“The main positives I see is the young midfield brigade is going to be seriously talented and hard to beat in a few years’ time.”
North Melbourne have been an active player in recent trade and free agency periods, acquiring Jaidyn Stephenson, Callum Coleman-Jones and Aidan Corr while seeing some experienced heads exit the club.
They also nabbed contracted midfielder Hugh Greenwood from Gold Coast as a delisted free agent.
“They’ve turned the tide in being able to recruit some players to their footy club,” Cooney said.
“Callum Coleman-Jones wanted to go there, and we see him as a ruck-forward who could possibly take the ruck mantle off Todd Goldstein next year or maybe the year after.
“Jaidyn Stephenson came in from Collingwood, who wanted to go to North Melbourne. You can even add him to that midfield core.
“He (Core) will basically be a new recruit this year. He’ll help Ben McKay and Josh Walker down back to take those big players.”
After winning four-and-a-half games last year, how many victories will the Roos notch in 2022?
“I’m going to put them down for six (wins) at the very least,” Cooney said.
“Whilst their best 22 looks as strong as it has for a long time leading into this year, if they do have a few injuries, then I think they are going to struggle to fill those holes.”
David Noble’s side take on reigning premiers Melbourne in a practice match at Casey Fields on February 24.