North Melbourne will kickstart its new era on Saturday afternoon when it hosts West Coast at Marvel Stadium in its season opener.

It will be a golden opportunity for senior coach Alastair Clarkson and his players to set the tone for 2023, as the club looks to put its recent campaigns behind them.

With Round 1 just days away, make sure you’re prepared with this week’s gameday guide.

Set your matchday reminders

Saturday, March 18
North Melbourne v West Coast at Marvel Stadium, 1.45pm AEDT

The Kangaroos are set to embark on a fresh journey on Saturday, with a new senior coach at the helm and, for the first time in the club's long history, co-captains leading the charge on-field.

So you don't miss it, or any other games this season, make sure to sync the fixture to you calendar.

Get your Round 1 ticket

As our first home game of the season, members will be able to scan their mobile membership card or regular membership to enter the stadium.

>> For more details on your membership, head to our Member Hub.

>> Non-members can purchase a ticket to this game from Ticketmaster here.

Be a part of history as we target beyond 50k members in 2023

The Kangaroos' journey continues in 2023, and we're looking to surpass last year's club record 50,000 members as Alastair Clarkson's team begins its path towards silverware.

Joining up as a member is a great way to support not only the AFL team, but the entire football club.

>> Want to join the team? Find the membership package that suits you here.

What time do gates open?

Gates open at 12pm. When using your ticket, you can enter the ground via Gates 1, 3, or 7.

Our Membership Hub will be outside Gate 7 until the first siren if you require any assistance – you can still collect your membership scarf if you have not already and can quote your membership choice voucher to redeem.

Information regarding Marvel parking can be found here – the use of public transport is encouraged.

Roo Shop locations are:
Level 1, inside Gate 7
Level 2, inside Gate 6
Level 3, Aisle 30

>> For more details on your membership, head to our Member Hub.

Gameday Hub

This is your one-stop shop for all gameday activities. There are competitions, games, activations, raffles and more to keep you busy until the game starts.

>> Check it out NOW

Watch on TV or stream on your phone

Saturday’s game will be broadcast live for Foxtel and Kayo Sports subscribers.

Stay connected on social media

For behind-the-scenes access and all the best highlights, photos, stats and stories, we’ve got you covered.
 
Follow the @NMFCOfficial accounts on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date with everything happening at the match and don't forget to use #Kangas.
 
Bring on 2023! 

New coach, new captains, new recruits, new era.

Saturday's clash with the West Coast Eagles presents as an opportunity not only to collect the four points, but to set a new standard as North Melbourne begins its resurgence towards silverware.

A raucous home crowd is expected at Marvel Stadium as Kangas fans and the AFL community finally get the chance to witness the proper culmination of the club's demanding summer sessions.

Clarko's comeback

It was announced back in August that four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson would be taking over the senior coaching reins at the club for which he played as a young footballer.

One of the game's greatest minds, his signing was an injection of optimism the club needed following discouraging on-field campaigns in 2021 and 2022.

Surrounded by a talented and decorated contingent of coaches, Clarkson will officially commence his comeback season on Saturday with a new structure and system.

North Melbourne's players have been captivated over a summer dedicated to learning his new gameplan and footballing philosophy. Off the field, the work Clarkson has put in to create a 'one club' feeling has impressed Kangaroos leaders.

"The way he treats people and the way he builds relationships with not just players but everyone in the whole footy club has really reshaped the club," former captain Jack Ziebell said last month.

This weekend, after a season off, Clarkson is back at the coalface.

Sheez in

An impressive pre-season and a praiseworthy attitude has provided Clarkson and the selection committee with one of the easiest decisions they'll make all year: picking Harry Sheezel.

While his intraclub performances were noteworthy, a three-goal game against Richmond in North Melbourne's first battle with non-club opposition in 2023 put the new No.3 on the radar for an early-season appearance.

His football smarts and classy ball use against the Bulldogs a week later saw him progress even further towards being included in the side to face the Eagles, and on Tuesday afternoon the 18-year-old forward received the news he'd been striving for.

With the ability to create magic from nothing, Sheezel adds a fresh dynamic to North Melbourne's forward line, but he's proven to be more than useful across other sections of the ground as well.

Next man up

Last week there was unfortunate news for Ben McKay, as scans confirmed bone stress in the star defender's right foot. It means he'll miss Saturday's clash, but Clarkson and his staff have confidence in the list's depth.

"It's always difficult when one of your key pillars in your back-end succumbs to injury, but that's the game and we've always had the adage 'lose a soldier, replace him with another one' – you just need a player that can step up," the coach told Monday's Member Q&A.

Key recruit Griffin Logue, who has so far displayed that he's everything the club wanted and more in an athletic tall defender, is primed to tackle any opposition key forward after impressing with six intercepts marks against the Bulldogs.

His supporting cast remains a mystery heading into Saturday afternoon, however. Aidan Corr has been a force in the VFL practice matches, but may need further match practice and conditioning before he puts his hand up for selection.

Kallan Dawson and Aiden Bonar have continued to develop as key backmen under the tutelage of Clarkson, backline coach John Blakey and specialist coach Josh Gibson, and could both be included in the line-up.

Last time they met

A six-goal Nick Larkey masterclass was one of the deciding factors when the two sides met in Round 2 last season, with the Roos triumphing by 15 points at Marvel Stadium to pick up their first win of 2022.

Hugh Greenwood led the charge from midfield with 29 disposals, 10 tackles, nine clearances while Jack Ziebell was at his best defensively with 29 touches of his own along with 14 marks.

Kayne Turner chipped in with two crucial goals and seven tackles as the Kangaroos held off a depleted but resilient Eagles outfit.

North Melbourne has hung on for a dramatic five-point victory over West Coast to kick off the Alastair Clarkson era in winning fashion and set off early alarm bells for the Eagles.

The Kangaroos seized control of Saturday afternoon's clash with an unanswered six-goal burst in the first half and withstood a late Eagles surge to seal a 12.15 (87) to 12.10 (82) win in front of 21,274 fans at Marvel Stadium.

Spearhead Nick Larkey booted six goals while midfield bull Luke Davies-Uniacke (32 disposals, 11 clearances) set the tone around the ground.

No.3 draft pick Harry Sheezel (34 disposals) impressed off half-back while recruit Griffin Logue and veteran Jack Ziebell marshalled the Kangaroos' defence admirably.

Makeshift ruck duo Hugh Greenwood and Charlie Comben battled well in the ruck against Bailey Williams after Tristan Xerri was substituted out with an ankle injury late in the first quarter.

The Eagles left themselves with plenty of work to do after a dire first half during which they lacked impetus around the contest, moved the ball slowly and at times looked scattered when the Kangaroos surged forward.

KANGAROOS v EAGLES Full match coverage and stats

Were it not for key defensive duo Jeremy McGovern and Tom Barrass, the situation could have been far worse.

The pair somewhat limited the damage down back while Liam Ryan (three goals), Luke Shuey (27 disposals) and Dom Sheed (25 touches) were crucial to their third-quarter resurgence.

Larkey booted the game's first goal but it was the Eagles who took the early ascendancy, with Jack Darling threading a wonderful goal from the boundary to give West Coast a 12-point lead.

But it only seemed to spur the Kangaroos on and they booted the next six goals, with only North's inefficiency around goal, plus McGovern and Barrass, keeping the lacklustre Eagles in the game.

West Coast trailed by 21 at the main break and the Kangaroos then booted the first two goals of the third quarter to take a 33-point lead.

It sparked the Eagles into action and they kicked three of the next four goals to cut the three-quarter time deficit to just 15 points, before adding the first of the final quarter.

Cam Zurhaar's second goal and Larkey's sixth steadied the ship midway through the last term but the Eagles would not go away.

Ryan and Noah Long struck in quick succession before skipper Shuey won a high free kick to cut the deficit to three points.

Curtis Taylor spurned a late chance to ice the game but the Kangaroos held on.

Sheez the man
It’s fair to say there have been high expectations placed on North’s prized top draft selection Harry Sheezel, but the 18-year-old wasted no time in exceeding them. The No.3 pick had three touches in the opening minutes of the match, and was crucial in setting up the Kangaroos’ first goal. Playing off half-back, Sheezel looked composed and unaffected by the enormity of the occasion finishing with 34 disposals.

Roos' ruck gamble 
With veteran ruck Todd Goldstein not selected for the side, all eyes were on Tristan Xerri on Saturday afternoon. And Clarko’s big plan seemed to be working - until Xerri’s leg got caught beneath him during a tackle in the first quarter. Xerri was in obvious pain before being escorted off the field by North’s medical staff, and was subsequently subbed out of the match. Hugh Greenwood and Charlie Comben divided the ruck work between them for the rest of the match. While the extent of Xerri's injury isn't yet known, Goldstein could be back in the side next week.

NORTH MELBOURNE     3.4     7.7     10.9     12.15 (87)
WEST COAST                 3.3     4.4     8.6     12.10 (82)

GOALS 
North Melbourne: Larkey 6, Curtis 2, Zurhaar 2, Davies-Uniacke, Comben
West Coast: Ryan 3, Jones 2, Allen 2, Darling, Kelly, Cripps, Long, Shuey

BEST 
North Melbourne: Sheezel, Larkey, Zurhaar, Davies-Uniacke
West Coast: Sheed, Shuey, Ryan, McGovern

INJURIES 
North Melbourne: Xerri (ankle)
West Coast: Nil 

SUBSTITUTES 
North Melbourne: Phillips (replaced Xerri at quarter-time)
West Coast: Petruccelle (replaced Jamieson during the third quarter)

Crowd: 21,274 at Marvel Stadium