CAMERON Zurhaar is everything Rhys Shaw wants in a key forward.
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Bruising, damaging, agile and fearless, the 190-centimetre bull is big enough to make his presence felt but agile enough to evade towering opponents.
The 22-year-old booted three goals in the Kangaroos' 20-point win over Greater Western Sydney on Sunday.
Statistically, Zurhaar was impressive. And when Nick Larkey is back into the side from injury, the club's three-pronged forward unit, which also features Coleman Medal runner-up Ben Brown, is looking ominous.
But back to size and style of play. Zurhaar's physical attributes are what will give opposition defenders headaches for the next decade.
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His tackles, crunches, bumps are what separates him from Brown and Larkey, more traditional lead-up forwards.
He can mark in a contest, but is also capable of bringing the ball to ground and slotting a goal on the run. Zurhaar has that 'cult' player feel and has the right personality and style of play to become very marketable.
His flowing mullet, larrakin persona and number 44 guernsey just add to the appeal.
"I've had one or two players in my time that have made (my hair) a little bit grey and I think Zurhaar will get me at some stage," North Melbourne assistant Jade Rawlings said on SEN Breakfast this week.
"He's good for it. If you're going to put yourself out there as a player, you've got to back it up and I'm pretty sure he wants to do some things to agitate me with boots and hair styles and general comments, but he's very likable.
"He's a popular teammate and I think our supporters like the way he plays.
"He's got a fair bit of improvement left in him. His game is in reasonable shape, but I feel there's a fair bit we can do with him as a forward that's going to make him a bit harder to play on as well."
North has built its reputation as a team of role-players and has arguably been without a superstar - barring AFL games record holder Brent Harvey - since dual premiership captain Wayne Carey left the club in 2001.
Zurhaar is marketable. In this era, footy is a business and clubs are forever fighting to increase their membership numbers.
North Melbourne has one of Victoria's smallest membership counts but is almost debt-free and is, by all accounts, financially sound.
Imagine how strong its business could be in five years time if Zurhaar, Nick Larkey, Curtis Taylor, Tarryn Thomas, Bailey Scott and Jy Simpkin grow into superstars.
The sky is the limit.
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