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Live sport on SN this weekendParker: The Kangaroo with the biggest upside
Nicholas Quinlan • April 4th, 2026 4:36 pm
Following their 2-1 start in 2026, Luke Parker has named the Kangaroo he thinks has the most upside.
Finishing exclusively in the bottom three since 2020, North Melbourne has accrued plenty of high draft picks who are starting to show their potential.
And in their Good Friday win, those young guns were on display as they overcame a 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter to win by 10.
From George Wardlaw’s 16 disposals and 11 tackles, Colby McKercher’s game-high eight intercept possessions, and Finn O’Sullivan’s 534 metres gained, there was plenty for Kangaroos’ fans to get excited about in 2026.
But Parker believes one of their pick-ups from last year’s mid-season draft has the most upside amongst their young players.
“They all bring something different,” Parker acknowledged on SEN’s Crunch Time.
“Sheez (Harry Sheezel), I sometimes forget (that) he's 21 years (old).
“To see him stand up and his leadership qualities is incredible.
“I think Kerch (Colby McKercher) is just getting better and better with his development.
“But the biggest one for me is Cooper Trembath. I've got high wraps on that kid.
“He came from nowhere last year, and he stood up in big moments.
“He's a big, solid boy, and he's probably the one for me that has so much upside of being, if not one of the best key forwards in the comp.”
Since being drafted by the club from their VFL side during last year’s mid-season draft, the forward has hit the ground running.
In the seven AFL games he’s played, the 20-year-old has kicked 17 goals in the forward line.
He’s also shown his versatility as a ruckman, having a team high of 11 hit outs during their clash against Carlton following Tristan Xerri’s suspension.
North Melbourne is now on the hunt to win three games in a row for the first time since 2019, when they take on the Brisbane Lions next Saturday at Barossa Park as part of Gather Round.
SEN will have live coverage of the match from 12:20pm AEST across SEN’s radio network and on the SEN app.
The match begins at 12:35pm.
