“Top three or four midfield in the AFL”: Dwayne Russell’s huge North praise after intra-club clash

Dwayne Russell is bullish on North Melbourne after taking a close look at the Kangaroos’ intra-club hit-out on Saturday.

The match was contested between a senior side and second team which was topped up by VFL players and Russell loved watching North’s first-choice midfield get to work.

With Harry Sheezel, Colby McKercher and Luke Davies-Uniacke playing in the midfield for the ‘A’ team, Russell thinks that North may already possess a top-five on-ball unit in the AFL which could only get better going forward.

“I watched the trial, and I think there are a few things to take out of North’s game,” Russell told SEN Afternoons.

“I think North Melbourne's midfield is one of the top five in the comp and maybe even a top three or four midfield in the AFL.

“When you look at the midfield, they’ve got Harry Sheezel who is a superstar already, Colby McKercher – who I think might end up being better than Sheezel, he might be a multiple All-Australian by the time his career is over – he’s moving really well and he uses the ball brilliantly.

“I think he (McKercher) probably going to be more of a midfielder full-time than Harry Sheezel will be because I think Harry's going to be forward and mid at the same time.

“Also put in Jy Simpkin, who was best on ground in the All-Stars game and LDU (Luke Davies-Uniacke) in that midfield, it is pretty good. Then there’s Luke Parker adding to it with experience.

“Midfield-wise, I think they’re looking good.”

Russell is also bullish about North Melbourne’s forward line with the additions of Luke Parker and Jack Darling, with Sheezel, Zane Duursma and Davies-Uniacke also spending time inside 50.

While Caleb Daniel impressed from half-back, the one area of North’s game that Russell is still concerned about is defence.

“Cam Zurhaar is now probably going to get the third or fourth best defender as opposed to the second defender because Jack Darling is there,” Russell said.

“They’ve got a good ball user in defence in Caleb Daniel who was doing the kick-in duties, but he doesn't really kick it further than 30 metres.

“(Zane) Duursma is a flying forward as well, and if Sheezel plays forward it does look really good.

“If they ever get George Wardlaw fit for a whole season, you can call that midfield top three in the comp.

“I just worry about the defence, that's the issue.”

North Melbourne begins their 2025 season with a Round 1 clash against the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on March 15.