Anderson bullish on Roos' AFL fortunes

North Melbourne midfielder Jed Anderson believes the club's new-found riches in midfield can establish the Kangaroos as an AFL force in 2019.

Jed Anderson

Midfielder Jed Anderson expects North Melbourne to improve on their ninth-place finish in 2018. (AAP)

Jed Anderson believes North Melbourne's AFL opponents are worried about what's brewing at Arden Street.

The Kangaroos were the surprise side in the finals mix in 2018, finishing ninth after 12 wins, despite pre-season predictions for a taxing campaign.

Coach Brad Scott has backed in their season with a busy run of recruitment, adding four players that could feature in the side's best 22 from round one.

It's why Anderson feels North are developing a fear factor before the 2019 season.

"Absolutely they know that we're coming," he said.

"We're really building.

"We're going to leave nothing out there on the park.

"What we did last year really shocked some teams. We're looking to do that again."

The Kangaroos appear stocked for midfield depth after the additions of Jared Polec, Dom Tyson and Aaron Hall.

Anderson managed 21 games this year but will find his place seriously challenged by those signings.

Despite his career-best form, the Kangaroos took until October to re-sign the 24-year-old.

Anderson said those negotiations were more about the details and less about the club's will, saying "there wasn't any point where I wasn't going to get a deal".

He's shown his dedication by returning for training a fortnight early.

"I've been back for five weeks training and going really well," he said.

"Getting another pre-season, building and developing my outside game to the max extent.

"The last two seasons I've come in without having post-season surgery or injuries and it's really shown out on the park.

"We showed a lot of teams last year of what we can do if we do play our best footy.

"We can be up there with the top teams."


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Source: AAP


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