Against the odds, North managed to start the season with a strong squad to choose from but there's no arguing, injuries have had an impact.

After last season's Preliminary Final heartbreak, there was post-season surgery for the likes of Aaron Black (shoulder), Ben Brown (knee), Majak Daw (knee/foot), Michael Firrito (knee), Kieran Harper (ankle), Lachie Hansen (hips), Aaron Mullett (shoulder), Drew Petrie (ankle), Robbie Tarrant (tibia), Scott Thompson (knee) and Jack Ziebell (shoulder).

With so many players going under the knife, the media and fans were doubting the Roos' ability to field a competitive side come the start of the season.

As pre-season training continued, key players were drip-fed back into main skills and NAB Challenge matches became crucial hit-outs for those players making a return to full fitness.

Timing is everything in football and with a hard working medical team, only six players were unavailable for selection come the first bounce on April 5 - Leigh Adams (concussion), Taylor Garner (hamstring), Nathan Grima (back), Lachie Hansen (hips), Aaron Mullett (shoulder) and Daniel Nielson (knee).

Long term pain

Injuries are part of the game but that doesn't make them any easier to cope with when they occur. Daniel Nielson's introduction to AFL was brutal with the draftee's season over before it began when he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in a tackling drill in March. There was more pain for luckless defender Nathan Grima who was forced to go in for a second back operation to remove a building disc before the season began.

Round 2's victory over Brisbane proved bitter sweet with Nick Dal Santo injuring his hamstring - an injury that would ultimately see him out of action for 9 weeks - while Daniel Wells injured his Achilles, with a return date yet to be set for the key Roo.

The injury curse continued for the draftees with Sam Durdin and Ed Vickers-Willis both needing season-ending shoulder surgery in June.

Captain's thumb woes

Andrew Swallow joined the injury list after breaking his thumb in the club's win over rivals Essendon in Round 7. His absence in a midfield that was already missing Dal Santo and Wells was far from ideal but it gave North's younger brigade a chance to step up and fill the void.

The captain would only miss two weeks, making his return in a big win over an in-form West Coast Eagles side at Blundstone Arena in Tasmania.

The coach joins the injury list

It was an extended spell on the sidelines no North fan would have expected to read about.

Coach Brad Scott was forced to undergo back surgery after the club's loss to Collingwood in Round 9 and as a result, isn't expected to return to the club in person until after the bye.

"It was something I was hoping to keep very private and deal with myself," Scott said prior to the surgery.

"But unfortunately since the pre-season it's been a bit of an issue. It's something I've been able to deal with treatment and medication and (we) investigated every option to try and prolong the inevitable surgery - and it was hoped that would be October - but the last two weeks in particular have been a pretty slippery slope to the point where it's been pretty debilitating."

Assistant Coach Darren Crocker stepped into the senior chair in Scott's absence, with all members of the coaching staff taking a step up in their roles to fill the void.

Despite his absence, Scott has still played his part on game day and during the week, communicating with the club's GM Football Operations and List Management Cameron Joyce in the coaches box, and also still being heavily involved in football department discussions during the week.

School of hard knocks

The man known as 'Patch' wasn't able to catch a break, with concussion cruelling Leigh Adams return to footy.

Despite several impressive weeks in the VFL, another head knock in early June would again see the talented forward on the sidelines recovering.

There was no luck either for young gun Taylor Garner who, after almost a year out of footy, played in three VFL clashes for North Ballarat before injuring his thumb - he will again be unavailable for selection until at least Round 16.

Bouncing back

While many have endured difficult and testing times, others have come out the other side with plenty to smile about upon returning from injury.

Lachie Hansen's Round 6 return to the backline was exemplary and his form has been an important part of shoring up North's defence.

Aaron Mullett has impressed since his return to the VFL, where he continues to put his case forward for senior selection.

Dal Santo's return in Round 12 would give North fans a reminder of the class he offered, amassing 32 disposals in the win over the Giants.

Exciting forward Kieran Harper looks to have overcome his ankle and knee issues and is building his form with Werribee.

However all eyes are on the potential return of Wells with many believing the silky midfielder is the key to North's chances of playing finals.