10 reasons why North Melbourne fans should be positive heading into 2025

North Melbourne finished 17th this year with only three wins to their name. However, Luke believes the proof is not in their ladder positioning, but rather the direction they’re heading in.

Cam Luke has provided 10 uplifting reasons on why he backs in North for the years to come.

1. Harry Sheezel

“He is a star, as great as Daicos and Ashcroft who have been very prominent in premierships.

"Sheezel is in a team at the other end of the spectrum, he’s rolled straight in and he’s played great football.

“He’s a full midfielder and if they can get Dan Houston across, Sheezel can roll into the guts.”

2. Nick Larkey

“Last year he was an All-Australian, he kicked 71 goals, this year he kicked 46 goals.

“He is an exceptional kick, the more midfielders you get the more they can get it inside 50.

“If you give him 100 shots at goal, he’s going to give you 75 goals a year.

“As their midfield begins to grow, is going to make his life easier.”

3. Cam Zurhaar

“He had an opportunity to leave the football club, he wanted to stay and believes in the way North is going.

“The only person who can stop Cam Zurhaar from being a star is Cam Zurhaar. He is a player who has the tools necessary to become a very good footballer in this league.

4. Luke Davies-Uniacke

“He has been threatening to be a very good footballer since he entered the league, and he showed it this year and showed us what he can do.

“He is out of contract in 12 month’s time and there’s no doubt there are clubs knocking at the door.

“If he says he wants to stay at Arden Street, in eight to ten years he can be a dominant midfielder in a very good finals contending team.

“I think he is at max value right now.”

5. Nailing draft picks

“George Wardlaw, Colby McKercher, Zane Duursma, Harry Sheezel; they’ve got their drafts right the last couple of years.

“They have been outstanding; they have come in and played good football.”

6. Michael Barlow

“He is a great development coach. Werribee won the VFL grand final.

“He was the coach 12 months ago when they lost by a couple of goals in the grand final.

“A lot of the younger guys at Werribee are on the back of Mick Barlow’s coaching.”

7. Perfect ruckman

“Their big man is the perfect ruckman in AFL in 2024.

“He took down some big names. I don’t think he is on a huge amount of money, but he fits their midfield, he beats people up, he was in the All-Australian squad.

“Max Gawn was the only ruckman stopping him from getting a blazer this year, but Xerri fits perfectly with how North are going.”

8. Jackson Archer is a beast

“We talk about father sons in Daicos and Ashcroft, but Archer is an extremely good footballer.

“He really announced himself at the MCG on the Saturday night against Melbourne when he held Bailey Fritsch pretty much to no influence. He gets a role and plays it perfectly.

“He’s got a bit of courage about him too.”

9. Players are walking a bit taller

“They are not taking a step back and they are getting involved in a few scuffles, particularly that one game against the Dees.

“They feel like they believe in themselves. They won three games and had an opportunity to win more.

“They still have a long way to go. When you look out there it feels like they believe in themselves. They have a bit more swagger than they have in the last couple of years.

“This is a team that believes they’re heading in the right direction. The confidence is there to get better.”

10. They’re in the Dan Houston conversation

“I think they could double their wins next year because they are in the Dan Houston conversation.

“I don’t know if they will end up there, Carlton is probably the front runner.

“But if they add him to this team, that would be their biggest get in years.

“Dan Houston is the type of player, when he plays in Victoria next year people will say they didn’t realise how good he was. He is an exceptional footballer.