3 minute read
North Melbourne's Nick Larkey is excited to see the improvement in the Kangaroos, feeling they've now got the right mix of experience and young talent.
Nick Larkey says North Melbourne's All-Australian recruits have given the Kangaroos' pre-season program their approval, in a confidence boost for the struggling AFL club.
The Kangaroos spearhead was upbeat about the team's prospects in 2025, having lured some much-needed experience to the club.
Fellow forward Jack Darling has joined from West Coast, while former Sydney star Luke Parker and Western Bulldogs defender Caleb Daniel are also on board at Arden Street.
With the Kangaroos finishing in the bottom two on the ladder since 2020, Larkey said not winning had "worn super thin".
But he said the belief that they were on the rise had been reaffirmed by the veteran trio.
"It's been good having some of the older guys come in, Parks (Parker), CD (Daniel) and Jack Darling in particular, and get a bit of affirmation from them that what we're doing actually stacks up with some of the great teams that they've been a part of," 26-year-old Larkey said on Monday.
"Parks, captain of grand final sides, played in a flag, same with CD and same with Darling - all three, All-Australian premiership players.
"They've been impressed ... with the standards and how we go about things, how we talk to each other, the culture of the place, so it's good to know it stacks up.
"The next step is obviously making it click on field and building confidence, and that comes through winning games and playing good footy."
Larkey has been the Kangaroos' leading goalkicker for the past four seasons, but said he was happy to have an "old head" in 298-gamer Darling join him in the forward line.
"I'm looking forward to learning a lot off him, but he's already been great ... he's a big unit and he's super fit and he just knows the patterns, knows where to run, it's like a player you've been playing with for years," he said.
"Our forward line has been super young in the past few years, so it's also nice to have another leader there to direct.
"I don't have all the answers on the field ... so it'll be nice to have another guy who's been there, seen what it's like at the top level - and at the bottom level as well."
Larkey has also been impressed with draft pick Matt Whitlock, with the 18-year-old swingman unafraid to make his mark at training.
The pair went head to head for a period during a match simulation and Larkey said he liked the youngster's competitiveness.
"He's obviously got some real good attributes, he's super athletic, agile, got a good leap on him, and he's got a great build, so once he fills out he'll be a pretty big, strong, athletic player,'' Larkey said.
"But what I love probably most is his competitiveness.
"I had a drill last week where I was about 100 metres from the ball, and he was playing on me and I go to reset, and he gives me a massive crack right in the back.
"But I like it, that's what you want in training."