NORTH Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has tipped No.2 pick Finn O’Sullivan to make an instant impact at AFL level this season, as the club braces for tough midfielder George Wardlaw to miss at least the first four games of its campaign.
O’Sullivan has been a standout on the track for the Kangas this summer after arriving at the club last November, with the club set to develop the teenager in multiple roles before injecting him into a talented midfield group.
The former Oakleigh Chargers onballer has spent extended minutes playing on a wing in North Melbourne’s match simulation drills, with the club also comfortable throwing O’Sullivan both forward and back.
It’s set to be a role that O’Sullivan could take into a round one clash against the Western Bulldogs on March 15, with Clarkson hinting the youngster could earn his AFL debut early in the campaign.
“He’s the old-fashioned utility,” Clarkson told AFL.com.au from Arden Street this week.
“Because of his body frame, we think he’s going to grow into a pretty strong lad and a flexible player. He’s got that capability to play both on the inside and the outside, but probably – more than likely – in his first year or two it’ll be more outside play. That’ll be half-forward, wing, half-back.
“Just over time, a little bit like Harry Sheezel and Colby McKercher and these types of guys, and a little bit like they’ve done with Nick Daicos too, you give these guys opportunities on the outside in their first year or two and just slowly infiltrate them through the middle of the ground where there’s a bit more contest stuff.
“When their bodies are a bit stronger and they’re used to the pace of the game, we’ll probably do the same with Finn. But, given what we’ve seen over the summer, he’ll be in really, really heavy contention to be playing early in the year.”
However, Clarkson has been impressed by Wardlaw’s speedy recovery from the unfortunate setback and indicated the tough onballer could return after the side’s first month of the season.
“It’s a little bit early to know,” Clarkson said.
