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“When it turns, it turns quick”: Why North forward is expecting swift uptick in 2025
Andrew Slevison • February 20th, 2025 6:41 pm
What is the trajectory for North Melbourne in 2025?
The Kangaroos, who won just three games in 2024, are being tipped by many to bounce this year through natural improvement from a young group.
The likes of Harry Sheezel, George Wardlaw, Colby McKercher and Zane Duursma are among those tasked with taking the Roos forward and things could turn quickly if they all gel at the elite level.
That is according to star forward Nick Larkey who believes North’s rebuild is set for a swift uptick in season 2025.
“I don’t think you put a cap on it (any trajectory) because the other thing you get told when you’re in a rebuild for years is that it can turn really quick,” Larkey said on SEN Breakfast.
“When it turns, it turns quick. We’ve been waiting for that for a while or trying to make that turn happen for a while.
“I think now I understand what people mean by it. It really does seem to me that a lot of it is between the ears and those players in the younger bracket clicking together and finding their feet at AFL level (will help).”
Larkey called on his own experience of being drafted in 2016 before truly feeling comfortable at AFL level until a few years later.
“I played VFL for my first few years and it took maybe three years to find my feet properly and then get real confidence of playing at the level, that I actually belonged at the level,” he added.
“It takes time for these guys. You rarely get a Harry Sheezel or a Nick Daicos type where they come in in their first year and they’re the best player in the team.
“These guys take time and I feel like we’ve done a lot of the time and hard yards now for the fruits of your labour to hopefully show and shine a bit this year.”
The 117-game forward says no target will be placed on how many games they can win in 2025.
He uses the example of Hawthorn who rose from 16th in 2023 to seventh and a Semi Final in 2024.
“No one discusses a win-loss total, but I wouldn’t believe you if you said we were in the same position this time next year,” Larkey said further.
“I just feel like once we get a bit of momentum and get couple of wins on the trot here and there then anything can be possible.
“You saw it with the Hawks last year, everyone had written the Hawks off when they were 0-6. Their team just took off and all of a sudden their list went from not much of a great list to a super list by the end of the year. All those little gems you find along the way.
“I feel like something similar could happen to us if we get a bit of confidence on the trot. It’s exciting, I’m looking forward to this year a lot.”
The Roos take on Melbourne in a practice match at Arden Street on Sunday before meeting West Coast in the AAMI Community Series in Bunbury on March 1.
The 2025 season proper begins for North against the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on March 15.
