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Sport Nation
Important SN update for SouthlandThe driving force of North Melbourne's elite point of difference
Jaiden Sciberras • June 26th, 2025 6:30 pm
North Melbourne’s win over the Blues has cemented what appears to be a very positive step in the right direction.
Despite residing in 16th place, the Kangaroos have endured an extremely promising run of form, winning three and drawing one of their last eight games while only losing one contest by more than two goals within that period.
Following a range of positional shifts, coach Alastair Clarkson appears to have collated the perfect on-field mix, with Harry Sheezel operating ahead of the ball while Colby McKercher doing damage off the back flank, maximising the influence of both star players.
That being said, Champion Data’s Daniel Hoyne suggests that the Roos’ star ruckman and former 72nd overall pick is the driving force in North Melbourne’s recent run of results.
“If you are a North Melbourne supporter, one of the best decisions your footy club has made for the last five years was saying to the St Kilda footy club when they wanted Tristan Xerri, ‘no thank you!’” Hoyne told SEN Sportsday.
“The list management team and the footy club could see what this guy was going to be.
“Right now, as a result of that trade not going through and saying no to the St Kilda Football Club, you’ve been able to win three of your last eight games with a draw against the reigning premier and lose four reasonably tight games.
“The reality is, over this eight-week period, they are winning games of footy, and they are in games of footy because of what Tristan Xerri is doing.
“He is phenomenal. Their raw clearance game at the moment is number one in the competition. Their differential in terms of scoreboard differential at stoppage is the fifth best in the competition.
“That is their point of difference, and that’s why they have quarters like they did the first quarter against West Coast, the last quarter against West Coast where they dominate stoppage, the scoreboard return comes.”
Over the course of 2025, Tristan Xerri has cemented his place in the upper echelon of the AFL’s premier ruckman, averaging 17.5 disposals and six tackles to go with career-highs in hit outs (36) and clearances (eight) per game.
After earning a nod in the 2024 All-Australian 40-man squad, Xerri will certainly be in the race to nail down his first ever All-Australian selection in 2025.
Following their brilliant victory over the Blues, North Melbourne are set to face Hawthorn in Tasmania this Saturday arvo.
