Mountford shuts down St Kilda’s Steven

North Albany product and now North Melbourne youngster Declan Mountford has produced an impressive second game at AFL level, helping quell the impact of St Kilda star Jack Steven in their round 13 clash at Etihad Stadium last Friday night.

Mountford has been in superb form at VFL level this season and was picked to play his first game since debuting in round 1 against the West Coast Eagles.

The midfielder was given the task of tagging Steven and he did a terrific job to limit him to 16 possessions and two goals, but it was not enough to stop the Saints recording a 17-point victory.

Mountford, drafted from Claremont in 2015, collected 15 disposals, three marks, three inside 50s and laid five tackles to be named in the Kangaroos’ best players.

The 20-year-old will look to cement his place in the Roos’ side in the second half of the season.

Fellow North Albany player Marley Williams had 24 possessions, three marks, two clearances and three rebound 50s for the Kangaroos in the loss.

Last Thursday night, ex-North Albany junior Jeremy McGovern was swung into attack from his usual defensive post as the Eagles scored a vital 13-point win over Geelong at Domain Stadium.

McGovern finished with 14 touches, four marks, nine hit outs, six tackles and five inside 50s.

Ex-North Albany tall Mitch McGovern made a successful return from a hamstring injury in the SANFL for Adelaide last Saturday, with four goals from 13 disposals and four marks.

The Crows resisted temptation to bring the out-of-contract star back into their senior side for tonight’s game against Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval.