North Melbourne captain Jack Ziebell has launched a staunch defence of David Noble after it was revealed the senior coach felt compelled to apologise to the playing group following a post-match 'spray'.

It's been reported that Noble's post-match address following the Round 3 loss to Brisbane has led to internal complaints in the way Noble conducts himself when delivering criticism to the playing group, reports that Ziebell vehemently denies.

But Ziebell backed his coach to continue to produce a strong working environment in which the team can improve.

"I think Nobes' character is something we all love about him and I don't think personally that he needed to apologise. I think he did what was fair and reasonable after the game on what was a disappointing night," Ziebell told SEN.

"The environment at our footy club over the last 18 months [has been] outstanding. He's created such a supportive [and] encouraging learning environment for our group that's really been fantastic to work in.

"I've got a lot of respect for him and the way he goes about it. What he's done for our footy club in such a short period of time he's been here is nothing short of incredible. [To have built] relationships all the way from the players through to admin and footy department staff is really, really commendable. 

"I'm a bit blown away that this has blown out the way it has off the back of an article that was written yesterday ... he's got the support of the players, the coaches and everyone here at North Melbourne."

After a resurgence in the second half of 2021 that included inspired victories over Carlton and West Coast the Kangaroos have faltered in starting their 2022 campaign, winning just one of eight games so far this season.

There have been clear on-field challenges so far this season, namely having taken on five of the current top six sides on the ladder, but the manner of some of the performances put in by the team has sent concern rippling through sections of the supporter-base in regards to the club's long-term direction.

Since being drafted in 2008 Ziebell is one of the longest-serving patrons of the club. Having played in two preliminary finals in his career he knows what a certain level of success looks like.

He says he has faith that everybody at Arden Street is moving in the right direction towards long-term, sustained success.

"A lot of people don't see what happens inside our four walls, how much work we're doing day to day. Do we need to improve? Yes we do, we can always improve. Myself as a leader, I'll take responsibility for that, I need to improve as well," Ziebell said.

"Everyone in the whole footy club needs to get better and that's what we're aiming to do every single day we come into the club. [We want to] improve and get better so we can get into a position to win games ... and make our supporters and members really proud.

"I can see the level of impatience and believe me, at the football club we don't like losing. We're not out there to lose games of footy and we want to win, let me make that clear. We want to accelerate that process as quickly as we possibly can.

"I firmly believe we're going in the right direction, I think we're not far away from turning it around … we've matched it with a few good teams in a few quarters here and there, it's just about producing that football more consistently."

Despite the struggles endured by the Kangaroos this season fans and members continue to support the club at never before seen level.

After setting a new membership record of 46,357 in 2021, surpassing the previous record set in 2016, the club has just announced it has smashed last season's benchmark with 46,401 members signed up this season so far.

Given the record set in 2016 followed on from two consecutive preliminary finals appearances, the show of support from those who care most about the club is a strong sign of the belief that is held in the current playing group.

"I'm thrilled to announce that we've actually set a membership record this year. It's actually incredible to see the support from our loyal members throughout this period. [It's] nothing short of amazing for us at the footy club," Ziebell said.

"We're not in the caper to turn up and make up the numbers. Unfortunately at the moment the performances aren't stacking up and we're doing a hell of a lot of work at the footy club to rectify that.

"We've been disappointed with our start to the year, there's no doubt about that. It's time to show some action and some improvement as well."

"I want our supporters and our playing group to see our club improve week by week and just for them to know we're working our tails off to make that happen."